Lilly puts $31 million toward clergy programs: Largest amount to pastoral excellence programs
In separate annual programs to give pastors sabbatical time and to reward programs that seek to sustain pastoral excellence, the Lilly Endowment has announced more than $31 million in grants to congregations and religiously affiliated organizations.
The biggest amount, $26.1 million, goes to 16 organizations with proposals to encourage men and women in ministry. Lilly grants in this second year of “pastoral excellence” programs recently brought cheers, for instance, from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the Christian Church (Disciples).