VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 01/29/08) - National Ministries, American Baptist Churches USA has been awarded a significant two-year grant from the Frank E. Clark Charitable Trust to support small church ministry.
The $75,000 grant for the years 2008 and 2009 will be used in accordance with the trust's intention to enhance the work of small churches (fewer than 150 members) serving small communities (population less than 50,000).
According to the Rev. Glynis LaBarre, National Ministries' transformation strategist, this Clark Grant has been designed to offer a "Missional Church Learning Experience" for 70 criteria churches from seven regions of American Baptist Churches USA. The participating regions include West Virginia, New Jersey, Rochester/Genesee, Connecticut, Mid-American, Maine and Rhode Island.
By definition, the missional church embraces a priority for service that is primarily outward/community directed. Each participating region will form a learning community of 6-10 criteria churches that will undertake four training sessions focused on understanding and applying missional church ministry. The training will span an 18-month period, with ongoing support provided between sessions.
Each participating church will receive a $1,000 Clark Grant for designing and implementing a community project that will serve as a congregational learning experience in living out missional church principles.
The Rev. Marilyn Turner, associate executive director for Program Ministries at National Ministries, says, "Refocusing outward helps us regain our purpose, bring new life and vitality to our churches, and affirms National Ministries' ongoing commitment to the NEW LIFE 2010 goals of partnerships with churches and regions that engage American Baptists in a multitude of caring ministries."
LaBarre says the Clark Grant "Missional Church Learning Experience will test the premise that when churches get engaged with bringing Christ's love alive in their communities in word and deed, their own church health improves."
"This two-year experience could become beneficial to all American Baptist churches," says LaBarre, "if it proves a solid link between community service and church health, creating a path for church transformation and revitalization."
The Frank E. Clark Charitable Trust provides annual grants both to small churches, through national and regional denominational bodies, and to service organizations that assist low-income and homeless adults.
For more information, contact the Rev. Glynis LaBarre at Glynis.LaBarre@abc-usa.org or 800.ABC.3USA, ext. 2412.
Andrew C. Jayne American Baptist Churches USA Mission Resource Development http://www.abc-usa.org/