Help New Ministers Preach in Today’s World

UNION PRESBYTERIAN SEMINARY AWARDED $50,000 GRANT THROUGH LILLY ENDOWMENT’S COMPELLING PREACHING INITIATIVE

 RICHMOND, Va. (July 14, 2022) – Union Presbyterian Seminary has been awarded a $50,000 grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to plan and develop a program that focuses on nurturing and sustaining the preaching of pastors who are in the first seven years of their preaching ministries after graduation.

“We know that those who are early in their congregational ministries face a multitude of challenges and many do not last in congregational ministry beyond their first seven years. While we can’t address every ministry challenge, this grant will help us discern how we might come alongside early career ministers, developing opportunities to nurture their preaching in ways that account for 21^st century contexts,” said Rich Voelz, Associate Professor of Preaching & Worship.

Lilly Endowment made the grant through its Compelling Preaching Initiative, which is supporting select organizations that are cultivating practices among aspiring and active preachers that can help them to proclaim the gospel to diverse audiences in more engaging and effective ways.

With its grant, Union will survey early career preachers in order to develop a program focused around supporting four key areas: preaching and significant social issues, preaching and diverse listeners, preaching and digital technology, and mentoring and feedback for preachers. Additionally, Union will create an invested network of judicatory and denominational leaders, and pastors in multi-staff congregations who champion and care for early career preachers.

“In a time when the church faces challenges of congregational change and decline, increasing cultural polarization, the lingering effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the demonstrable influence of digital technology and its relationship to worship, new ministers require nurture and support as they craft pastoral and prophetic messages for congregation and community. The Compelling Preaching Initiative aims to offer precisely that assistance,” said President Brian Blount. “Union Presbyterian Seminary is excited to partner in this endeavor that will cultivate practices among aspiring and active preachers that will help them proclaim the gospel to diverse audiences in more engaging and effective ways.”

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Contact:

Barb Dodd, Communications Director

Union Presbyterian Seminary
bdodd@upsem.edu
804-278-4279