Exploring faithful stewardship and grant process for new worshiping communities
New Way podcast episode features co-chair of Mission Development Resource Committee
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s New Worshiping Communities movement stands on the generosity of previous generations whose gifts now fund expressions of church they could never have imagined. The Rev. Nikki Collins, manager of 1001 New Worshiping Communities, framed the conversation by noting that "this movement is fueled and funded by the generosity of people who came before us and their vision and hope that I believe this has exceeded their imagination." She described it as "a humbling opportunity to steward those gifts for the future of the church."
Mission Development Resource Committee (MDRC) co-chair, the Rev. Karen Rohrer, takes seriously the responsibility of leveraging legacy gifts “beyond the imaginations of the people who left it” to heal and transform with both gratitude for what the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) through the MDRC has been able to do in the present and hope for her own legacy.
"They have left this money to the discernment of the body to pursue what is faithful. What a gift to discern what is faithful in community now, with that legacy." said Rohrer, co-chair of the Mission Development Resource Committee, in the latest episode of the New Way podcast.
Rohrer's response revealed both the weight and possibility of this stewardship. "Even in death, people can change, because their legacy can change, the way that they're remembered can change, and one of the gifts that you can give people who are gone is letting them change," she said.
She acknowledged complexity in the denomination's financial history: "I don't know where all our money came from in the PC(USA). I bet some of it came from places that I don't feel very comfortable with." But rather than viewing this as disqualifying, Rohrer sees redemptive possibility: "I hope that when I die, the things that are ambiguous and immoral about my own legacy are redeemed in whatever I have left behind, and that someone can leverage those things to heal some of the harms that I caused. There would be nothing better in my mind."
This theological framework shapes how the committee evaluates grant applications. Rohrer explained that applicants must address three key elements: new, worshiping and community. "We really want to make sure that those things are addressed," she said, noting the process involves both written applications and conversations with committee members.
Regarding worship, Rohrer challenged conventional assumptions: "People often get stuck on worship because they have a picture of worship that is, like, pews in a row; and, like, if you're not staring at the back of someone's head all lined up facing a preacher, like this is not worship." Instead, the committee seeks to understand "how moments and spaces of encountering God live in the midst of the community."
On sacraments, Rohrer emphasized theological reflection over rigid forms. "It's not so much that we want to make sure that everyone is wearing a Geneva robe and standing behind a table with particular words coming out of their mouth, but we want to make sure that the leadership team and the point leader are thinking about what it means for the people of God to experience the gifts of God."
She acknowledged the diversity in practice: "For some communities, this means the first time they gather, they will be breaking bread and drinking Welch's grape juice in a tiny cup. For some communities, this means five years in, they're still wrestling with what communion could look like for them."
The conversation also addressed Christian identity's importance. "It matters that we are Jesus people, and that we tell people that," Rohrer said. "Honesty is important here." She emphasized that communities should welcome people "who are not required to believe to belong" while being transparent about their Presbyterian identity.
Leadership development emerged as critical across grant cycles. Rohrer described evolution where founding leaders invite others to shape the vision: "The leadership team starts to 'yes, and' the original vision, and all of a sudden, the vision that you have is taking a new shape because new people are joining it."
Collins emphasized this expectation: "You really want to see towards later grant cycles that this vision has taken a new shape, and you're not holding this community accountable to what they wrote down three years ago." At the same time, strong applications demonstrate how founding leaders are participating in the discernment and training tools offered by the 1001 New Worshiping Communities movement. Mid Council support is also critical to speak to longevity of support and connection to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Ideally, grants would be matched at the presbytery level, but the MDRC is creative and flexible with presbyteries with fewer resources and emphasizes relationships and connection over funding absolutes.
The grants committee, comprised entirely of volunteers, approaches applications with generosity. "We want to draw out your best visioning, your best theological thinking, your most pastoral heart, your most exciting dreams," Rohrer said.
The full conversation is available on the New Way podcast. Grant applications are available at the Mission Development Resource Committee page.
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