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Purposes

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside still waters, He restores my soul . . .
(Psalm 23:1-3a)

Sustaining Pastoral Excellence is directed through the Department of the Ordered Ministry of the Evangelical Covenant Church. The purpose of the initiative is to resource our denominational ministers for personal and vocational vitality as they continue to obediently respond to God's call. Credentialed pastors, missionaries, and chaplains can apply for grants to help them pursue growth opportunities. The resources for this initiative come from a grant from the Lilly Endowment, Covenant ministers, Regional Conferences, and individual donors. 

What does it mean to sustain pastoral excellence?  

"Pastoral excellence involves holistic Christ-centered development, life long vocational and Biblical formation, and regular occasions of renewal and re-visioning that sustain healthy enduring ministry."

We ask a lot of our ministerial leaders. The Department of the Ordered Ministry is pleased to be able to partner with the local church, on behalf of our denominational family, in helping resource our pastors in fulfilling their call. It takes a denominational-wide effort to support those who help lead our churches in kingdom endeavors.  As a result of winning a second grant from the Lilly Endowment grant funds will remain available from the department through 2013.

The SPE initiative has been, and is being designed, by pastors for pastors. This is the key strength of this initiative. The intent of SPE is not to outsource, but instead tap into the rich diversity of gifts present in the pastors, missionaries, and chaplains of the Evangelical Covenant Church. The agency for this program lies in the hands of our ministerial family.  

There are three streams that flow out of the Sustaining Pastoral Excellence initiative to help pastors, missionaries, and chaplains deepen the vitality of their relationship with Christ and strengthen their vocational call. These are the streams of character, competence, and constancy. 

Sustaining Pastoral Excellence Design Grid

SPE Partners Include

Lilly Endowment, Inc. - The Lilly Endowment has awarded the Evangelical Covenant Church a second grant for its work with Sustaining Pastoral Excellence

Covenant Ministerium - The Covenant Ministerium is providing $200,000 over the next 5 years

Regional Conferences - Our Conferences provide yearly funding support for SPE.

Individual Donors - SPE also welcomes gifts from individuals who are interested in supporting the development of pastoral and mission leaders in the Covenant.  Both individuals and family foundations have contributed to this work.