Pension Fund is receiving applications from across the U.S. and Canada for the Excellence in Ministry program. This program, funded in part by Lilly Endowment, strengthens the ministry of our most outstanding early-career pastors by providing them training in financial literacy and a grant to reduce financial stress. The grant is $10,000 and can be used to pay down educational debt, start an emergency fund or save for retirement. The financial literacy education is provided by Pension Fund and financial partners and includes both personal and congregational finance seminars.
Participants in the program express relief to know they are not alone. “I used to think I was the only minister who felt stress about money,” says one participant. “Now I know I’m not alone and I have people I can talk to.”
To be eligible to apply, pastors should be:
- Serving a paid position in congregational ministry (does not need to be senior pastor); and
- In their first five years since ordination or commissioning; and
- Credentialed Disciples of Christ with standing in the region (ordained or commissioned); and
- Available to attend the learning event with their spouse (expenses paid) on August 2-4, 2018.
For more information and application materials, visit www.pensionfund.org/EIM. The deadline to apply is April 30.