An Invitation to Clergy Peer Groups

And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine bursts the wineskins, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins." Mark 2:22 (NKJV)

Jesus' proverbial wisdom reminds us of the need to create space in our lives for the transformation that comes with spiritual and intellectual growth. The Center for Ministry Pastoral Excellence Project offers New Wineskins Grants to clergy peer groups to assist them in making room for the expanded visions of God, life, and ministry that emerge as they engage with each other.

Small groups of ministers who gather regularly for spiritual formation, fellowship, support, and/or study may apply for one-time project funding of up to $5,000. Eligible group projects must show potential for building community among group members while building upon gifts for ministry within them.

About the Center for Ministry

The Center for Ministry offers continuing education and spiritual formation opportunities for church leaders, both clergy and lay. Learners from all denominations and faith traditions are invited to develop their gifts through this shared ministry of Millsaps College and the Mississippi Conference of the United Methodist Church. Founded in 1999, the Center for Ministry is located in Jackson, Mississippi.

About the Pastoral Excellence Project

Mississippi clergy have strengthened their leadership abilities by deepening their spiritual lives through the Center for Ministry's Pastoral Excellence Project (PEP) since 2002. With continuation funding from the Lilly Endowment, Inc. through its Sustaining Pastoral Excellence initiative, PEP is moving into a new phase of equipping religious leaders for excellent leadership within their ministry settings. For a complete listing of Pastoral Excellence Project offerings visit www.centerforministry.com.

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

Applicants for New Wineskins funding must be peer groups that

" include no fewer than five and no more than twelve ordained clergy
" formed at least 12 months prior to submitting a proposal.
" met no fewer than five times in the 12 months preceding the application.
" do not include in their membership current participants in other PEP programs or Center for Ministry board members, staff, or adjunct staff.

A group may only receive funding one time from the New Wineskins program. Groups with racial, gender, and/or denominational diversity will receive priority consideration. Individual applicants are not eligible for New Wine Grants.

ELIGIBLE PROJECTS

New Wineskins Grants fund activities that enhance the covenantal life of the group while developing leadership skills that benefit the ministry settings of individual group members. Project activities may center upon one of the following themes:

" journey-travel to a locale with spiritual significance or that models an innovative approach to ministry
" presence-participation in conferences or workshops, seminars or webinars that focus on spiritual formation, leadership development, or that enrich a particular area of ministry.
" consultation-gathering with a scholar or practitioner who offers in-depth insight about some facet of ministry
" retreat-time apart devoted to nurturing communal and individual relationships with God.
" learning-intentional study with individual and group reflection upon books, audiovisual, or electronic media designed to expand knowledge of some aspect of spiritual formation or ministry.

If the above descriptions do not capture the essence of your proposed project, please consult with Sherry Johnson at the Center for Ministry before beginning your grant application.