Where's Pastor Tim?

Sabbatical 2006 Information

Clarion Article April 2006

"What will make your heart sing?"

This is the question posed to pastors and congregations as they develop their proposals for the Lilly Endowment's Clergy Renewal Program. Pastor Keyl responded well to this question and his heart is singing as he prepares for his sabbatical that will take place from June 18 to September 17, 2006.

The Lilly Foundation Inc. is an Indianapolis-based, private philanthropic foundation. Its National Clergy Renewal Program "seeks to strengthen Christian congregations by providing an opportunity for pastors to step away briefly from the persistent obligations of daily parish life and to engage in a period of renewal and reflection. Renewal periods are not vacations, but times for intentional exploration and reflection, for drinking again from God's life giving-waters, for regaining enthusiasm and creativity for ministry." The Lilly Foundation Inc. selected 124 congregations representing 16 denominations from 37 states and the District of Columbia for their grants in the 2005 National Clergy Renewal Program. Each grant to a congregation provides up to $45,000 to send their pastor on a sabbatical and support the congregation's activities during that time. These proposals, which were selected from nearly 500 applicants, join the previous 631 recipients over the past six years reflecting total funding of more that $23 million. Christ the King received a grant of $ 37, 293.

The National Clergy Renewal Program is structured in a way that allows congregations and their pastors to write a proposal that is meaningful to them. They offer suggestions concerning what high quality proposals have in common. These include the following attributes: a sense of purpose or direction, a sense of balance in the pastor's personal and professional life, evidence that the congregation understands and affirms the value of a renewal program for its leader and that they will work to maintain the integrity of the congregation during the sabbatical, and a sense that it benefits and rejuvenates both the pastor and the congregation. As Pastor Keyl and members of the congregation developed their responses they were mindful of these purposes and wrote the proposal accordingly.

Pastor Keyl and his family will enjoy a meaningful period of exploration and renewal that will benefit both them and the congregation because of the generosity of the National Clergy Renewal Program sponsored by the Lilly Foundation. Craig Dykstra, senior vice president for religion at the Endowment notes, "Many people are unaware of the terrific demands upon ministers these days. They are expected to be excellent administrators, fine speakers, articulate representatives in the community and enthusiastic fund-raisers. They are called upon day in and day out to give individual attention to many individuals and to deal with a steady stream of crises. This is 'normal.' This hectic pace is difficult to halt, unless they have freedom, permission, and willingness to simply get away. From time to time, they need a more extended 'sabbath' that provides the time and space in which to rest, to rekindle their fire for ministry and rediscover what led them into this vocation in the first place. That's what this program is all about." Visit their website at www.clergyrenewal.org for more information.

- Linnea Hallee

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