The Board of Pensions is committed to helping strengthen Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) clergy, who face substantial challenges in answering their calls to serve the church. Research shows that a variety of stressors, including seminary debt and an absence of practical skills training, can affect the well-being of clergy throughout the church, as well as their ministries. In order to support our clergy, the Board has initiated a number of programs to address issues related to pastoral leadership and retention.

Limited resources can impede the church's ability to recruit gifted clergy to serve in small congregational settings. To help relieve the burden of debt new ministers face and to encourage pastoral service, the Board offers a Seminary Debt Assistance program, making grants available to recently ordained Presbyterian ministers who serve small congregations.

Clergy burnout is another area of concern. Although there are many roots to this problem, a major factor is unmet training needs. To address the critical vocational, leadership, and other training needs of our clergy, the Board offers Middle Governing Body Grants, Presbyterian CREDO, and Sabbath Sabbatical Support Grants. Each of these programs assists with skills training and other types of education support to help our clergy better meet the challenges of ministering in the twenty-first century.

Unlike the Benefits Plan, which is funded by dues, the Assistance Program relies on other funding sources, including half of the Christmas Joy Offering, gifts, legacies directed to the Board of Pensions, and income from endowments.