Sustaining Pastoral Excellence
Application Process
Qualifications
Pastors, missionaries, and chaplains who are eligible for Sustaining Pastoral Excellence funding will demonstrate the following qualifications:
- Actively serving in a Covenant church or ministry setting with at least two years of ministry experience.
- Currently holding an active Covenant credential (this includes Covenant ministers holding a bi-vocational license, who have completed the Vocational Excellence class. Ministers with retired credentials are not eligible.)
- In good standing with the Covenant Ministerium, including the payment of conference and national ministerial dues for at least the last two years.
- Grants are available every other year with a lifetime cap of three grants.
Use the appropriate grant application form, which can be accessed from each of the three areas. Only grant applications submitted using these forms will be considered. Please attach any relevant supporting material to your application.
Eligibility Requirements
Unless otherwise specified, grants are only available for credentialed Covenant clergy. All persons using grant funds for an event must meet this criterion. Grants are not able to provide funding for a non-clergy person and/or a clergy spouse.
Complete applications for self-selected grant opportunities will be considered as they are received.
Grant award decisions will be sent via email as listed on your application. If you are approved you will receive notification within twenty-one days of the application deadline. If your grant request is denied your letter will include specifics as to why it could not be approved.
We hope that you will fully enjoy the experience for which you are receiving a grant and that you will connect deeply with Jesus during that time, whatever it is.
Frequently Asked Questions
WILL THE SUSTAINING PASTORAL EXCELLENCE INITIATIVE PAY FOR A SABBATICAL?
The Sustaining Pastoral Excellence initiative is now offering grants of up to $1,000 for a sabbatical. The grant amount matches the amount offered by your church or ministry context (for a total of up to $2,000). There are also other agencies, such as Lilly’s Pastoral Renewal program, that fund sabbaticals for pastors.
CAN A GROUP OF PASTORS APPLY FOR A GRANT?
We are no longer providing group grants. All Covenant Clergy can apply for an individual Sustaining Pastoral Excellence grant.
DO THE GRANTS INCLUDE RESOURCES FOR SPOUSES OR LAY LEADERS?
Sustaining Pastoral Excellence is designed to enhance the growth and work of credentialed Covenant pastors. It does not include resources for spouses or lay leaders.
WILL SUSTAINING PASTORAL EXCELLENCE PAY FOR THE PURSUIT OF ADDITIONAL EDUCATION THROUGH A DEGREE PROGRAM?
The targets of Sustaining Pastoral Excellence do not provide resources for degree or certificate programs.
HOW DOES THE GRANT APPLICATION PROCESS WORK?
The grant deadlines for self-selected interactions are ongoing. All Covenant-created opportunities have a posted registration deadline for a specific event. Applications for these interactions must be received by the stated deadline. A response will be given to all applicants within a 21-day period after the pre-designated deadline.
CAN YOU APPLY FOR MORE THAN ONE GRANT?
Pastors, missionaries, and chaplains may receive up to two grants through the SPE Initiative, with the provision that an individual’s second grant experience comes at least one calendar year after the first.
