Vibrant Ministries:
American Baptist College and Lilly Endowment, Inc.
American Baptist College was awarded a five year grant from Lilly Endowment, Inc. in order to develop a Sustaining Pastoral Excellence Program for constituent churches of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc in 2003. In 2008 Lilly Endowment, Inc. awarded American Baptist College a renewal grant which extended this program four more years. Our goal for 2009-2012 is moving the Vibrant Ministries program toward sustainability and national visibility.
American Baptist College’s Sustaining Pastoral Excellence Program provides pastors with networking opportunities with a broad spectrum of talented guest faculty and participants from churches across the nation. Program participants gather here annually for contemplation and study, prayer and dialogue, relaxation and renewal, and to broaden their systems of support and ministry. It is our belief that congregations thrive when churches and parishes are led by spiritually strong, thoughtful, able and imaginative pastors and lay leaders. The goal of the Sustaining Pastoral Excellence Program is to provide the type of spiritual renewal and rejuvenation needed to keep church leaders vibrant.
Lilly Endowment, Inc. also endorses the inestimable value pastoral leaders have in congregations across this nation.
Duke Divinity School currently hosts the Sustaining Pastoral Excellence Coordination Program where data is collected and maintained from each institution that supports these programs. For more information regarding how American Baptist College is connected to the network of institutions that offer a Sustaining Pastoral Excellence program, go to http://www.faithandleadership.com/programs-training/for-organizational-leaders/sustaining-pastoral-excellence .
The Vibrant Ministries Program at American Baptist College seeks to encourage pastors and lay leaders to:
a. Assess personal strengths, resources, and options
b. Learn self-care and its importance to a long ministry and healthy family life
c. Reflect theologically and creatively about worship, ministry, and public life
d. Gain a renewed sense of purpose and mission
e. Nurture collegial relationships with other pastors and encourage peer mentoring
f. Be a life-long learner
g. Cultivate larger networks of ministry and support