Personal financial pressures are severely limiting the ability of seminary graduates to accept calls to Christian ministry and undermining the effectiveness of too many pastoral leaders. To help address this issue, Lilly Endowment created the Theological School Initiative to Address Economic Issues Facing Future Ministers. The initiative’s aim is to encourage theological schools to examine and strengthen their financial and educational practices to improve the economic well-being of future pastors.
All theological schools fully accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada were invited to submit grant proposals. Brite Divinity School will use its funding 1) to gather data on the financial well-being of our students and graduates, (2) to educate Brite constituencies to the costs of theological education and to increase financial literacy among our students and graduates, (3) to expand our partnerships with other institutions committed to the well-being of pastoral leaders, and (4) to develop sustainable and systematic practices for the future.
"Issues of student indebtedness have an impact not only the student and graduate, but also on their families, as well as the churches and organizations they eventually serve," said Joretta Marshall, Executive Vice President and Dean of Brite Divinity School. "By focusing on financial well-being, this grant allows us to work directly with students, graduates, local church leaders, and others in the community to examine critical issues that stand in the way of thriving churches, agencies, and communities."
"Pastors are indispensable spiritual leaders and guides, and the quality of pastoral leadership is critical to the health and vitality of congregations," said Christopher L. Coble, vice president for religion at the Endowment. "Theological schools play a critical role in preparing pastors and are uniquely positioned to address some of the economic challenges they face," Coble said. "The Endowment hopes that these grants will support broad efforts to improve the financial circumstances facing pastoral leaders so that pastors can serve their congregations more joyfully and effectively," said Coble.
