What is continuing education?

Continuing education is learning that occurs after formal education is completed. It happens through periodic seminars, workshops, classes, and retreats. Pastors can't learn everything they need to know in seminary. And because of ever new scholarship, insights from others and a changing church environment, they need to keep learning throughout their ministry journey.

How does continuing education contribute to pastoral excellence?

Continuing education can improve ministry skills, strengthen pastor-congregation ties, nurture pastoral life, and encourage ongoing reflection and analysis.

How does the program operate?

A congregation, classis, denominational agency, groups of pastors or other organization sponsors a continuing education event with funding from the Sustaining Pastoral Excellence (SPE) program.

Note: SPE provides funds for events, not the education plans of individual pastors. Thus, it differs from the small grant program for pastors administered by the CRC Pastor Church Relations Office.

Who is the program for?

It's intended for groups and organizations that seek to assist pastors serving in congregational ministry in the Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRCNA). Pastors in specialized ministry, ministry associates, and pastors of other denominations may participate, but the event must have the intent of strengthening pastors for parish ministry in the CRCNA.

How does the funding work?

Proposals for continuing education events are reviewed and approved by the SPE Implementation Team. We will not fund events that have been held prior to the submission and/or approval of the proposal.

What kind of proposal is required?

We encourage a variety of continuing education topics and formats as long as what is offered advances the understanding of pastoral excellence held by SPE and summarized on its web site at www.crcna.org/pages/pastoralexcellence.cfm.

Each continuing education proposal must make use of the Continuing Education Grant Application Form and include:

• A focus on the particular needs, concerns, and interests of the region in which the event is held, especially as expressed by pastors
• A plan for reflection and sharing of what has been learned
• Structured educational resources offered by agencies, cooperative groups, and individuals with demonstrated expertise in their fields
• The names of the speakers and some background information on them, including websites if available
• Invitations to individual pastors, pastors in mentoring pairs, peer learning groups, or particular classes or groups of classes
• Provision for evaluation of the event by participants
• A clear statement of outcomes consistent with the goals and values of the SPE program

Continuing Education Grant Application Form

Sample of a completed application

We particularly encourage proposals that:

• Offer new models for continuing education that involve implementation processes over time
• Involve cross-cultural exposure and encourage integration of people and ideas
• Encourage participation by pastors from a variety of ethnic groups
• Come from more than one agency or classis
• Come from regions with fewer educational resources at hand, or regions located some distance from denominational headquarters
• Make use of distance learning technology, such as that offered at Calvin Theological Seminary, Calvin College, and other locations
• Involve a local or classical retreat that focuses on the nurturing of the pastoral life and the strengthening of pastor-congregation relationships
• Involve a seminary, college, mission-agency, or other agency-based event that focuses on nurturing of the pastoral life and strengthening of ministry effectiveness

What size grant will be given?

A maximum of $5,000 is available per proposal and normally is intended to cover publicity, speaker fees, and hospitality costs for participants (room rentals, meals, refreshments). The grant is not to be used to: cover personal expenses; the purchase of any equipment; to compensate the coodinator for his/her work related to the continuing education event or any other administrative expenses associated with the event. At the end of the event, any unused funds must be returned. It is assumed that the sponsoring group will generate any extra funds needed through registration fees or other means.

Is there a deadline for submitting proposals?

Yes. Continuing education proposals are considered twice a year. The deadlines for submitting them are June 1 and December 1. Receipt of proposal will be acknowledged with an email to the coordinator. The SPE program will send notice to applicants by July 1 and January 1 about grants awarded.

Are there any reporting requirements?

The sponsoring group's coordinator is asked to submit a short post-event report within six weeks and an accounting of the funds used, including receipts.

Note: Upon approval of a proposal, specific reporting information and forms will be sent to the coordinator.

Continuing Education Funds Available For Individual Pastors

There are funds available for individual pastors who are interested in pursuing continuing education. For more information, go to:

More...

Information in continuing education proposals and in reports to SPE may be used in its reporting to Lilly Endowment, Inc., on SPE's web site, or in its promotional materials.

For further information please contact:
Lis Van Harten
SPE Project Administrator
at 877.279.9994 or pastoralexcellence@crcna.org