This fall, IPHC is honored to offer a second opportunity for its pastors to be blessed, encouraged, strengthened, and stretched through the Thriving Throughout the Seasons of Pastoral Ministry. Openings are available for pastors to participate, so please continue reading to learn more!
In 2018, the IPHC received a million-dollar grant from the Lilly Endowment Inc. “Lilly Endowment Inc. was founded in 1937 by J.K. Lilly, Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. for the ‘promotion and support of religious, educational or charitable purposes.’ Throughout its history, the Endowment has sought to nurture the human spirit, intellect, and character. When once asked what the main purpose of the Endowment should be, Eli Lilly said, ‘I hope we could help improve the character of the American people.’”1
IPHC’s proposal was one of only 78 selected out of 600 applicants. Receiving the grant allowed IPHC to create the Thriving Through the Seasons of Pastoral Ministry, a program designed to help pastoral leaders with their personal relationships with God, their families, and their congregations through retreats and small groups. This is significant because the research by the Lilly Endowment, prior to launching this significant opportunity for many church groups, indicated that few pastors have mentors in their lives or intentionally mentor other pastors.
The retreats that pastors attend focus on 6 key areas: Spiritual Formation, Soul Care, Marriage, Leadership/Preaching, the Call of God, and Finishing Well. Over a period of two and a half years, the retreats are the anchor of the program, but the main emphasis is establishing small mentoring groups for the pastors. Within each small group, everyone is asked to meet electronically at least once a month for listening, caring, sharing, and praying with each other. The strength of this program is within these covenant groups which strive to break the “all alone syndrome” of pastoral ministry.
Iglesia Casa de Dios 