Pastors are amazing, but they’re not immune to discouragement. The “Great Resignation” bug that has bitten millions of working adults in the US has been nibbling at pastors, too. According to a recent blog post by Carey Nieuwhof, more than 40% of clergy polled in March 2022 are thinking of hitting the ejection button. (See careynieuwhof.com Leadership Blog: “The Top 6 Reasons Pastors Want to Quit”)
Here at the Foundation, we believe in pastors! And we are committed to lifting up the health, well-being, personal satisfaction and professional effectiveness of every pastor.
The Foundation’s C2FM program began serving Missouri clergy in 2016. Since then, more than 125 pastors and their families have received grants totaling more than $680,000, along with personal coaching, and educational opportunities. All services are aimed at reducing financial and professional stress and enhancing vocational effectiveness.
C2FM grants have paid off or reduced consumer and student loan debt, funded scholarships and continuing education goals, contributed to retirement accounts, and funded renewal leave for pastors and their families. As one pastor emphasized, “C2FM has greatly impacted my personal and family life… receiving a grant gave us the momentum to keep following through.”
Funding from the Lilly Endowment and matching gifts from generous donors across Missouri currently total over $1.3 million. And steps are moving forward to add grants and gifts totaling an additional $450,000 by the end of 2023.
The latest matching grant challenge from the Lilly Endowment has a special emphasis: to make strategic grants to pastors hard hit by the economic effects of the pandemic. C2FM is now in the process of distributing the first $250,000 of the new grant, even as we seek the additional matching gifts to bring the full amount of Lilly funding to Missouri in support of our clergy.
Celebrate Pastors with Special Gifts in October 2022
October is Pastor Appreciation Month, and C2FM invites you to celebrate a special pastor (or pastors) with a financial gift made in honor or in memory of a pastor, mentor, or clergy colleague whose ministry has been, or is still today a blessing in your life. Your gift in support of C2FM is a meaningful way to say you care about the life-changing effects of pastoral ministry. Your special gift in their honor/memory will be acknowledged by the Foundation to the pastor, or the pastor’s family. It’s a double blessing as the Lilly Endowment will generously match gifts to C2FM up to $250,000. To make your special gift, or for more information, contact C2FM Director Mark Struckhoff at mstruckhoff@mumf.org, or visit www.mumf.org/give-now/.