MCC Thriving in Ministry Sustainability Grant
MCC Thriving in Ministry Sustainability Matching Grant
As part of the MCC Leadership Development initiative, Metropolitan Community Churches announces that the Lilly Endowment has awarded MCC with a $500,000 Thriving in Ministry Sustainability matching grant, to be used over a five year period. The Thriving in Ministry program has five goals:
Goal 1: Provide mentorship for leaders to assist in developing inclusive and diverse leadership practices through the lenses of faith and spirituality. This co-mentorship will enhance ministries and encourage social justice action.
Goal 2: Convene spaces for leaders to share, learn, and practice at the intersections of faith and social justice.
Goal 3: Recognize and address the need for equitable resourcing of leaders across identities, geographies, and roles.
Goal 4: Build infrastructure to support communication and community building.
Goal 5: Resource forms of respite for individuals to rejuvenate, rest, and find deeper inspiration in their ministry/faith.
The primary aim of this initiative is to help pastors thrive in congregational leadership and enhance the vitality of the congregations they serve. Whilst much of the programming will be based in the USA, the learning and expertise will be shared globally.
This is the second grant from the Lilly Endowment for MCC’s Thriving in MInistry program. The Lilly Endowment first gave MCC $418,135 in late 2018 to develop US based programs to help pastors build relationships with experienced clergy who could serve as mentors and guide them through key leadership challenges in congregational ministry. MCC is thrilled by Lilly Endowment’s confidence in our program and that we have received $500,000 in funding over the next five years that will embed this program into the fabric of MCC as one of the major leadership development programs of the denomination.
Marie Tasker, Thriving in Ministry Programme Manager, and Rev Cathy Alexander, staff Director
We are excited to continue the amazing work and further the lessons learned from the Thriving in Ministry Program through the generosity of the Lilly Endowment. We look to each of you to hear what Leadership Development looks like, as we navigate next steps towards Sustainability.