Pentecostal Theological Seminary announces $1,000,000 grant from Lilly Endowment, Inc.
The Pentecostal Theological Seminary has received a grant of $1,000,000 to help establish PTS Thrive. It is part of Lilly Endowment Inc.’s Thriving in Ministry, an initiative that supports a variety of religious organizations across the nation as they create or strengthen programs that help pastors build relationships with experienced clergy who can serve as mentors and guide them through key leadership challenges in congregational ministry.
The Endowment is making nearly $70 million in grants through the Thriving in Ministry initiative.
PTS Thrive will assist a new generation of young pastors and seminarians by coordinating placement; facilitating mentoring relationships for a period of three years that will help young pastors negotiate points of conflict and discouragement; and, provide a variety of resources that will offer sustainable solutions to the challenges of pastoral ministry. Dr. Dan Tomberlin, director of PTS graduate placement and instructor of Pastoral Ministries, will serve as executive director.
Dr. Michael Baker, president of the Pentecostal Theological Seminary, states, “We are thrilled to be a part of Lilly Endowment’s Thriving in Ministry Initiative. Through PTS Thrive, the seminary will partner with educational assets throughout the Pentecostal movement in an effort to assist our graduates and other new pastors, contextualize their classroom experience to the practice of pastoral ministry. We believe this process of coaching and mentoring will demonstrate effectiveness.”
Pentecostal Theological Seminary is one of 78 organizations located in 29 states that is taking part in the initiative. The organizations reflect diverse Christian traditions: mainline and evangelical Protestant, Pentecostal, Roman Catholic and Orthodox.
Thriving in Ministry is part of Lilly Endowment’s grantmaking to strengthen pastoral leadership in Christian congregations in the United States. This has been a grantmaking priority at Lilly Endowment for nearly 25 years.
“Leading a congregation today is multi-faceted and exceptionally demanding,” said Christopher L. Coble, Lilly Endowment’s vice president for religion. “When pastors have opportunities to build meaningful relationships with experienced colleagues, they are able to negotiate the challenges of ministry and their leadership thrives. These promising programs, including PTS Thrive at Pentecostal Theological Seminary, will help pastors develop these kinds of relationships, especially when they are in the midst of significant professional transitions.”
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by three members of the Lilly family – J.K. Lilly Sr. and sons Eli and J.K. Jr. – through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly & Company. While those gifts remain the financial bedrock of the Endowment, the Endowment is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion. The Endowment maintains a special commitment to its hometown, Indianapolis, and its home state Indiana. Its grantmaking in religion focuses on supporting efforts to strengthen the leadership and vitality of Christian congregations throughout the country and to increase the public’s understanding of the role of religion in public life.
See here to read Lilly Endowment, Inc. Press Release
