Pastor approved for sabbatical

Pastor approved for sabbatical

First United Methodist Church of Valparaiso has received a grant of $49,927 to enable its senior pastor, Rev. Kevin Miller, to participate in the 2021 Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Program for Indiana Congregations.


Valparaiso's FUMC is one of 34 congregations in Indiana selected to participate in this competitive program, which is funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. and administered by Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis.

Established by the Endowment in 1999, the program’s grants allow congregations to support their pastors with the gift of extended time away from their ministerial duties and responsibilities.


Ministers whose congregations are awarded the grants use their experiences to engage in reflection and renewal. The approach respects the “Sabbath time” concept, offering ministers a carefully considered respite that may include travel, study, rest, prayer and immersive arts and cultural experiences.


Through the program, Indiana congregations may apply for grants of up to $50,000 to support their pastors in developing experiences that address their unique renewal needs and aspirations. Recognizing that ministers’ families are subject to the stress and demands placed on pastoral leaders, the program encourages pastors to involve their families in renewal activities.


Congregational needs during the minister’s renewal experience also are considered. Up to $15,000 of the grant may be used to fund interim pastoral leadership during the retreat and for renewal activities within the congregation.


Since the Endowment established the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Program for Indiana Congregations in 1999 and the National Clergy Renewal Program for congregations in the other 49 states in 2000, more than 3,200 congregations have participated in the program, including the 34 Indiana congregations receiving grants in 2021.


Rev. Miller and his wife, Liz, will begin a 15-week renewal period following church services April 17. They will use the time for a long-desired opportunity to travel historic U.S. Route 66, visit distant relatives and enjoy an extended camping trip along the western shore of Lake Michigan. Rev. Miller also will have unscheduled time for rest, relaxation and spiritual reflection prior to returning to work Aug. 1.


Funds available to the congregation will support a variety of activities that will allow the members to enjoy face-to-face fellowship and philanthropic activities that have been limited during the pandemic. Included will be a Pack-a-Thon to benefit local and international food banks, a public concert with a guest artist and a community work day.


“Pastors play an important role in nourishing the spiritual lives of individuals and in guiding the work of the Christian congregations they serve,” said Christopher L. Coble, the Endowment’s vice president for religion. “Through these grants, we seek to honor pastors for their extraordinary service and enable them to engage in a brief period of rest and renewal. We have learned that such experiences invigorate the leadership of pastors and bring new vitality to their congregations as well.”
Dr. Robert Saler, director of the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Programs, noted that the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Program for Indiana Congregations integrates key attributes of healthy congregations, including a mutual respect for the renewal needs of both ministers and the congregations they serve.


“The program provides an opportunity for congregations to express appreciation for their ministers’ service and leadership,” Saler said. “At a time when leaders are often praised for their pace of innovation and productivity, the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Program for Indiana Congregations pays homage to the timeless wisdom embedded in the practice of reflection and renewal.”


Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis directs the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Program for Indiana congregations and a second program for congregations across the United States.