The Lilly Endowment is hoping to fight clergy burnout by spending $25 million to find ways for pastors to “sustain excellence” and “maintain energy and enthusiasm” throughout their careers.
The Indianapolis-based foundation, which funds religious causes with 10s of millions of dollars each year, said the physical, spiritual and emotional health of pastors is key to maintaining healthy, vibrant congregations.
Pastors are called to be preachers, teachers, administrators, fund-raisers and counselors, and “given the demands, it is easy for conscientious pastors to get so caught up with the press of daily work that they lose sight of what called them to the ministry in the first place,” according to a Lilly news release.
Officials are seeking proposals for grants, which will range from $250,000 to $2 million over three- to five-year periods. Nonprofit groups, ranging from seminaries and colleges to congregations and denominations, are invited to apply. (RNS)
Share with others: