Bethel Community Church has received a $50,000 grant to enable its minister, the Rev. Sondra Gentry, to participate in the 2021 Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Program for Indiana Congregations.

The Seymour church is one of 34 congregations in Indiana selected to participate in this competitive program, which is funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. and administered by Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis.

Established by the endowment in 1999, the program’s grants allow congregations to support their pastors with the gift of extended time away from their ministerial duties and responsibilities.

Ministers whose congregations are awarded the grants use their renewal experiences to engage in reflection and renewal. The approach respects the Sabbath time concept, offering ministers a carefully considered respite that may include travel, study, rest, prayer and immersive arts and cultural experiences.

Gentry will use four weeks to spend time traveling to her bucket list nature place with her sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren and sisters, as family time often gets neglect in ministry. Six weeks are spent alone to rest, reflect and write another devotional. Also included is a program for the church to reflect upon and clarify its mission as it moves forward.

“I am grateful for Lilly providing this much-needed refreshing so we can continue our work for Christ even as a small church often taxed with straining to minister in our community despite our size,” Gentry said. “Seymour has been faithful in helping us continue God’s assignments. Thank you, Lilly, and thank you, Seymour.”

Through the program, Indiana congregations may apply for grants of up to $50,000 to support renewal experiences for their pastors. Collaborative in nature and implementation, the program allows congregations to partner with their ministers in developing experiences that address their unique renewal needs and aspirations.

Recognizing that ministers’ families are subject to the stress and demands placed on pastoral leaders, the program encourages pastors to involve their families in renewal activities. Congregational needs during the minister’s renewal experience also are considered. Up to $15,000 of the grant may be used to fund interim pastoral leadership during the pastor’s retreat as well as for renewal activities within the congregation.

Since the endowment established the program in 1999 and the National Clergy Renewal Program for congregations in the other 49 states in 2000, more than 3,200 congregations have participated in the program, including those in Indiana this year.

“Pastors play an important role in nourishing the spiritual lives of individuals and in guiding the work of the Christian congregations they serve,” said Christopher Coble, the endowment’s vice president for religion. “Through these grants, we seek to honor pastors for their extraordinary service and enable them to engage in a brief period of rest and renewal. We have learned that such experiences invigorate the leadership of pastors and bring new vitality to their congregations, as well.”

Robert Saler, director of the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Program, said the state’s program integrates key attributes of healthy congregations, including a mutual respect for the renewal needs of both ministers and the congregations they serve.

“The program provides an opportunity for congregations to express appreciation for their ministers’ service and leadership,” Saler said. “At a time when leaders are often praised for their pace of innovation and productivity, the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Program for Indiana Congregations pays homage to the timeless wisdom embedded in the practice of reflection and renewal.”