2009 Mission Program Grant proposals

Dear Colleagues,

Revised Mission Program Grant programs, designed to increase the number of new church development grants and to support presbyteries’ work in helping congregations change to better serve their communities, will begin by March 15, 2010.

The General Assembly Mission Council (GAMC) endorsed the Mission Development Resource Committee’s proposal during its September session.  

The strategic redesign will encourage more local accountability, reward risk taking, innovative thinking and enable greater flexibility in the types of ministries that are considered for mission program grants. Grant funding for new church developments will be funded in layers. Level-One funding will support the first 18 months of ministry.  Level-Two funding will be available for the next 30 months to new churches that have made significant process in reaching their goals and objectives. Grants at both levels would be for up to $25,000.

The revised program provides for transformation grants of up to $50,000 for three years to support presbyteries in their work of transforming existing congregations.

The changes eliminate former grant programs for new church development, existing congregations and congregational-based ministries of compassion and justice.

The Mission Development Resources Committee will meet Nov. 12-13 in Louisville to continue developing, implementing and disseminating the policies and procedures that will guide the proposed recommendations and program redesign.  

Blessings,

Tim McCallister, Associate
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)