What Sustains "Pastoral Excellence"?

You may have seen the ads in Christianity Today (http://www.ChristianityToday.com/ctmag) announcing “Sustaining Pastoral Excellence,” a new program from the Lilly Foundation that will offer $25 million in grants. You read that right: $25 million.

The money will be awarded—in grants ranging from $250,000 to $2,000,000—to programs that “sustain excellence in Christian pastoral ministry.”

The big question: What sustains excellence in Christian pastoral ministry?

What have you found that helps you stay fresh? What nourishes your spiritual life, stretches your thinking, and sparks your pastoral energy? If you were advising the Lilly Foundation, what would you recommend they fund?

The “Request for Proposals” lists factors that sustain pastoral excellence, including (a) spiritual disciplines, (b) time away from the congregation, (c) peer support, (d) opportunities to improve skills, and (e) chances for recognition for the congregation. If you were writing such a list, what would you put on it?

Also, if you lead an “organization with public charity status in the United States,” and you are called to “sustain pastoral excellence,” you may want to apply. (For details, see http://www.pastoralexcellence.org.) We need many creative initiatives that support pastors and that encourage excellence in ministry.

I look forward to reading your ideas.

Warmly, Kevin A. Miller, Editor-at-Large Leadership Journal

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