congregational development@diocal::

An Update on the Creative Ministry Fund of Jubilate Deo

As part of the commitment to review and learn from our experiences, the Creative Ministry Fund Committee has recently modified the criteria and application form for future grants. The reason is to highlight and encourage applications representing new ideas and “outside the box” thinking.

While the nature of creativity often defies definition, the committee wants to encourage applicants from ministries which are original, ground-breaking, or which show risk-taking for the Gospel. “Cutting edge” ministries, appropriately discerned, planned, and begun, often have high potential value for the wider Church. The committee will welcome and support creative ministry initiatives that could be described by such words as: “entrepreneurial”, “progressive”, “outward-looking”, “hopeful”, “joyful”, “transformative”, “experiential” or -even - “edgy” !

Since creativity is generally contextual, one setting’s creative venture might be routine in another. The hope is that local congregations will be encouraged to explore what creativity means in the local context, but with an eye toward the broader community and culture.

Following you will find the revised criteria and application form, as well as information on the Creative Ministry Fund awards which have been made. You can find additional information at http://www.condev.diocal.org.

If you have any questions, or as you are considering new and creative ministries in your congregation, please contact me (michaelb@diocal.org or 415-869-7825). I look forward to assisting you as together we explore the creative work God is setting before us in the Diocese if California.

Faithfully,
The Rev. Canon Michael L. Barlowe
Congregational Development and Enrichment

Comments and Criteria for Funding
February 2004

When the Creative Ministry Fund was announced, we committed to a continuing review, based on our experience, of the criteria for the awarding of grants. Having now completed several grant cycles, and having examined many grant applications, we now offer these comments to guide applicants and interviewers:

1. Creativity: While the nature of creativity defies definition, we particularly encourage proposals about ministries which are original, ground-breaking, or which show risk-taking for the Gospel. “Cutting edge” ministries-- appropriately discerned, planned, and begun-- often have high potential value for the wider Church. We will welcome and support such creative ministry initiatives.
2. Congregational Development: The Creative Ministry Fund is targeted toward congregational efforts at mission, ministry and evangelism. Preference will be given to proposals that exhibit the creativity discussed above and that create new vision, mission, ministries or programs that strengthen one or more of the characteristics of a vital congregation, as articulated by the 20/20 Strategy Group of the Episcopal Church:
Characteristics of a vital congregation
• transforms lives within the congregation so that lives beyond the congregation may also be transformed
• invites others into its life and mission, and is open to being changed by those who respond
• knows the Gospel gives courage and strength to live in a world of chaos and change, even within the church
• intentionally transcends social boundaries
• liturgy is transformative, and points the way to Jesus
• the common life exhibits a graced confidence
• everyone’s story is heard, everyone’s gifts are discovered, and the community blesses and affirms their use in the world
• discipleship and leadership development are central
• pastoral care is more than adequate, and is a ministry of the whole body
• administration is adequate
• willingness to learn from the larger church, and to share our learning with others
3. As Episcopal Charities will be making grants for congregational outreach work, social ministry funding requests should be directed toward Episcopal Charities.(415-869-7809)
4. To promote creative ministry throughout the Diocese, the committee will seek a broad geographical distribution of grants.
5. Preference will be given to grant proposals that arise from demonstrable congregational discernment or support, as indicated by such marks as broad congregational commitment to the ministry being funded; planning for the future continuation of the ministry or project (or an appropriate follow-up to time-limited ministries or projects).

The deadline for grant applications in 2004 are May 20 and September 23.

Please submit the application form and supporting materials to the Rev. Cn. Michael Barlowe at Diocesan House or electronically to michaelb@diocal.org.

The grant application in PDF format is available for download.