Grant Highlight: Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Programs
Pastors carry a weight that few people fully see. Sunday sermons, hospital visits, funerals, counseling, staff meetings, budgets, and community needs rarely pause long enough for a pastor to rest, reflect, and reconnect with the calling that first drew them into ministry. Over time, even the most faithful leaders can find their energy and creativity running low.
The Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Programs, were created to respond to that reality. Administered by Christian Theological Seminary (CTS) in Indianapolis, these competitive grants help Christian congregations fund a renewal leave for their pastor, often described as a pastoral sabbatical, so the pastor can step away briefly from daily parish life and return with renewed passion for ministry.
The heart of the program is captured in one simple question CTS asks every applicant: “What will make your heart sing?”
For churches across the United States and Puerto Rico that want to invest in the long-term health of their pastor and congregation, this is one of the most significant clergy sabbatical grant opportunities available.
Grant Overview
The Clergy Renewal Programs exist to strengthen Christian congregations by giving their pastors an opportunity to engage in a season of intentional renewal and reflection.
Eligible congregations may receive awards of up to $60,000 to fund a renewal leave for their pastor. The grant is awarded to the congregation, not the individual pastor, which means the church and its pastor plan and apply for the renewal leave together.
CTS administers two versions of the program:
The National Clergy Renewal Program, open to congregations throughout the United States, Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico
The Indiana Clergy Renewal Program, designed specifically for congregations located in Indiana
Each program has its own Request for Proposals (RFP), so applicants should be sure to review the correct one for their location.
This is a competitive grant program, and it is also one with a strong track record of investment. CTS announced 229 congregations awarded in 2023, 198 in 2024, and 233 in 2025. Those numbers show both the reach of the program and the importance of submitting a well-prepared, thoughtful proposal.
A Renewal Leave Is Not a Vacation
One of the most important things to understand about this pastor sabbatical grant is its purpose. CTS is clear that renewal leaves are not vacations.
Instead, a renewal leave is a time of intentional exploration, reflection, and regained enthusiasm and creativity for ministry. The program funds well-planned, purposeful activities that restore the pastor and, in turn, strengthen the congregation the pastor serves.
Application Timeline and Important Dates
The application window for 2027 renewal leaves has closed. According to CTS, the next program year will open in November 2026, when the new Requests for Proposals are published on the Clergy Renewal Programs website.
An important detail: proposals are submitted the year before the planned renewal leave. Churches applying in the upcoming cycle should therefore plan for a renewal leave that takes place after the award year.
CTS follows this general timeline each year:
Early November: Program year opens
Mid-November: Information webinar
Mid-March: Proposal deadline
Last business day in August: Notification of proposal decisions
Mid-October: Funds disbursed to awardees
Specific dates for each program year are listed in the official RFP, so applicants should confirm every deadline once the new materials are released.
Best strategy: Start the conversation between your pastor and congregational leaders now. A strong renewal plan takes time to design, and the four months between the program opening and the mid-March deadline go quickly.
Who Can Apply?
The Clergy Renewal Programs are open to Christian congregations and their clergy, who submit a proposal together. Both the congregation and the pastor must meet the program’s eligibility criteria.
Congregation Eligibility
Christian congregations must be located in one of the 50 U.S. states, Washington, DC, or Puerto Rico. The program welcomes a wide range of denominations as well as independent and non-denominational churches.
Clergy Eligibility
The pastor who will take the renewal leave must:
Serve as a pastoral leader in congregational ministry, whether part-time, full-time, or bi-vocational
Hold ordination at the time the proposal is submitted and be in good standing with their denomination, or, for independent and non-denominational churches, serve in ways comparable to denominationally ordained peers
Hold a Master of Divinity degree or equivalent, or, without one, be in good standing with their ordaining body and show a strong record of congregational service and commitment to ongoing education and professional development
Good News for Associate and Bi-Vocational Pastors
This clergy renewal grant is not limited to senior or lead pastors. CTS states that the program is open to clergy serving as pastoral leaders in congregational ministry regardless of their role or title.
That is welcome news for associate pastors, youth pastors in pastoral roles, and bi-vocational ministers, who often carry heavy responsibilities with limited support.
Who Is Not Eligible?
Only clergy serving in congregational ministry are eligible. College campus pastors employed by their college or university, for example, would not qualify. However, a pastor who serves and is employed by a congregation that operates on a campus may be eligible.
What Does a Clergy Renewal Leave Look Like?
Renewal leaves can take many forms. Each congregation and pastor answers the question “What will make your heart sing?” in their own way, which is part of what makes this ministry grant so distinctive.
For one pastor, renewal might mean travel to places of spiritual or historical significance. For another, it could mean time devoted to creative expression, family connection, physical restoration, prayer, study, or learning a new skill. What matters is that the activities are purposeful, well planned, and connected to the renewal of the pastor’s life and ministry.
How Long Can a Renewal Leave Be?
CTS encourages a total renewal leave of 12 weeks. That leave may be planned as:
A single 12-week period, or
Multiple shorter leaves of no less than two weeks each, spread over the two calendar years following the year the proposal is submitted
This flexibility allows congregations and pastors to design a sabbatical plan that fits the rhythm of church life and the pastor’s personal circumstances.
The Congregation Is Part of the Renewal
The Clergy Renewal Programs are built around the congregation as well as the pastor. Congregational leaders and the pastor are expected to work together to design the renewal program and complete each step of the application.
That partnership matters. A thoughtful plan prepares the church to continue its ministry well while the pastor is away and positions the whole congregation to benefit from the pastor’s return.
What the Grant Cannot Fund
Understanding the limits of the program is just as important as understanding its opportunities.
Academic degrees: Grant funds cannot be used as a fellowship for work toward an academic degree. Plans dedicated strictly to earning a degree should seek support elsewhere.
Building projects: Funds cannot be used for building repairs, updates, renovations, or capital improvements.
Non-renewal costs: All grant funds must be used for costs associated with the congregation’s and pastor’s renewal leave program.
Churches that need facility or capital funding should pursue other church grants designed for those purposes.
How the Application Process Works
CTS outlines a clear, step-by-step process for congregations applying for a clergy renewal grant.
Step 1: Read the Request for Proposals
The RFP provides the full program description, including eligibility requirements, program parameters, selection procedures, and proposal questions. It also includes the required form, worksheets, and documentation. Separate RFPs are available for the Indiana and National programs.
Step 2: Watch the Information Webinar
First-time applicants are encouraged to watch the program’s information webinar, which explains the programs, how to submit a proposal, where to find materials, and answers to common questions.
Step 3: Download and Complete the Form
The fillable form is the same for both the Indiana and National programs. Once completed, it becomes part of the proposal PDF described in the RFP. The form becomes available when the new program year opens.
Step 4: Review the FAQs and Resources
CTS provides resources that include advice from past grant recipients, tips for writing a high-quality proposal, and multimedia interviews to help applicants prepare.
Step 5: Submit Through the Online Portal
The program now uses an online-only application process. Applicants complete fields in the online portal and upload the written portion of the proposal as a PDF. In the most recent cycle, the portal opened December 1.
CTS also notes that all proposals submitted by eligible congregations receive equal consideration in the review process.
Recent Program Updates
Returning applicants should note a few recent changes: the shift to online-only submission, a single Tax Status and Signatures form used for both programs, and the removal of the “Post-leave Activities” category from the pastor’s budget.
What Makes a Strong Clergy Renewal Proposal?
Because this is a competitive grant, a strong proposal does more than describe a trip or a break from ministry. It tells a clear, compelling story about why renewal matters now and how the plan will make a lasting difference.
A strong proposal should answer several basic questions:
What will make your heart sing? Articulate the pastor’s renewal vision honestly and specifically. Reviewers want to see a plan rooted in genuine passion, not a generic itinerary.
Why is renewal needed now? Describe the pastor’s season of ministry and what renewal will restore, whether that is energy, creativity, spiritual depth, or family connection.
How are the activities purposeful? Show how each planned activity connects to the pastor’s renewal and ministry rather than reading like a vacation.
How will the congregation be involved? Explain how the church will participate, how ministry will continue during the leave, and how the congregation will grow through the experience.
What happens after the leave? Describe how the pastor and congregation expect to carry the fruit of the renewal leave back into their shared ministry.
Is the budget realistic and clear? Build a budget that aligns with the plan, follows RFP guidelines, and justifies every expense.
For example, instead of simply saying the pastor needs rest, a strong proposal might explain that a 12-week renewal leave will allow the pastor to retrace a meaningful spiritual journey, reconnect with family, and return with fresh vision for preaching, while the congregation explores its own renewal through a parallel series of gatherings.
The more clearly you connect the vision, activities, budget, and expected outcomes, the easier it is for reviewers to see the value of your sabbatical plan.
Is Your Congregation Ready?
Many churches recognize that their pastor needs renewal but postpone the conversation until exhaustion or burnout makes it urgent. The Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Programs offer congregations a way to act before that point, investing in their pastor’s well-being and the long-term health of their ministry.
If your pastor has served faithfully and your congregation wants to support a season of meaningful rest and renewal, this clergy sabbatical grant may be worth pursuing.
And because the program year opens in November and the proposal deadline arrives in mid-March, preparation should begin well before the application window opens.
How Exousia Can Help You Apply with Confidence
A clergy renewal proposal requires more than a good idea. Your application needs to communicate a clear renewal vision, show how the congregation is involved, and present a realistic, well-justified budget that reflects the purpose of the program.
Exousia can help congregations approach the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Programs strategically.
We can help you:
Assess eligibility for both the congregation and the pastor
Determine whether the Indiana or National program applies
Clarify the pastor’s renewal vision and “heart sing” theme
Design purposeful renewal leave activities
Plan for congregational involvement during the leave
Develop a compelling proposal narrative
Build and justify a realistic renewal budget
Organize required forms and supporting documentation
Review your proposal for alignment with program priorities
Identify weaknesses before submission
Our goal is to help your congregation present a proposal that is clear, heartfelt, and directly connected to the purpose of the funding opportunity.
Pastoral renewal is about more than time away from the pulpit. It is about restoring the people God has called to lead, so they can continue serving their congregations and communities with joy.
Contact Exousia for Grant Support
📧 Email: info@exousiagroup.com
📞 Phone: 765-962-6581
🗓 Schedule a Consultation: New clients receive a FREE 30-minute consultation!
If your congregation is considering a renewal leave for your pastor, now is the time to begin planning.
Your pastor has poured into your church. This may be your congregation’s opportunity to pour back.
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