255 congregations win clergy renewal grants through Lilly Endowment programs

Christian Theological Seminary says 255 congregations across the U.S. were selected for Lilly Endowment clergy renewal grants in 2026, giving pastors time and funding for rest, travel and spiritual renewal. The awards total more than $14 million and mark another expansion of a program that has backed more than 4,781 congregations since 1999.

Why it matters: - The grants give pastors funded time away from daily ministry demands for rest, study and renewal. - Congregations also receive support to keep leadership and care in place while pastors are away. - The 2026 awards total more than $14 million, showing continued demand for clergy renewal support.

What happened: - Christian Theological Seminary announced that 255 congregations across the United States were selected for grants through the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Program for Indiana Congregations and the Lilly Endowment National Clergy Renewal Program. - The announcement came Oct. 28, 2026, from Indianapolis. - Christian Theological Seminary has administered the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Programs since 2012.

The details: - The programs support one extended renewal period or multiple shorter periods for pastors. - Pastors use the grants for travel, scholarly research and immersive experiences with other cultures and traditions. - Congregations in the 2026 programs include Roman Catholic and Orthodox parishes, 28 Protestant denominations, and independent and non-denominational congregations. - Pastors and congregations worked together to design renewal plans. - One pastor will hike and cycle with family in Denali National Park and Japan. - Another pastor will travel with family to a parent’s country of origin in Argentina, visit extended family, connect with heritage and attend a language immersion camp. - A third pastor will take family camping in U.S. national parks to disconnect from distractions and reconnect with one another. - Other pastors plan to use time away for new spiritual disciplines, time with loved ones, exercise, creative work and study tied to preaching, worship and congregational life. - Grants can also fund congregational renewal activities while pastors are away, including shared leadership practices, mutual care, community engagement along the Tijuana/San Diego border, and intergenerational activities tied to spiritual heritage. - Congregations could apply for grants of up to $60,000. - Congregations may budget up to $20,000 of the maximum award for interim pastoral leadership, send-off and return celebrations, and congregational renewal activities. - Pastors may include family members in the renewal experience. - Since 1999 and 2000, more than 4,781 congregations in the United States and Puerto Rico have received grants through the two programs. - Lilly Endowment awarded more than $14 million in combined grants in 2026.

Between the lines: - Robert Saler, director of the clergy renewal programs at Christian Theological Seminary, said interest has grown in recent years and higher proposal volume has made the competition more intense. - Saler said each application represents both a pastor seeking renewal and a congregation choosing to support that renewal. - The program structure points to a broader emphasis on shared ministry, not just individual leave for clergy. - Lilly Endowment framed the grants as a way to help pastors return reenergized after the strain of ministry.

What's next: - Congregations will carry out the renewal plans they proposed with their pastors. - The full list of recipients is available at the seminary's clergy renewal page and at Lilly Endowment. - Christian Theological Seminary says the programs will continue to support renewal and revitalization for pastors and congregations facing the pressures of ministry.

The bottom line: - The 2026 grants extend a long-running clergy renewal effort that pairs pastor rest with congregational support across a broad range of Christian traditions.