• must be matched by the middle governing body's financial contribution
• must not replace the governing body's support for existing programs

Types of programs that qualify

Middle Governing Body Grants may be used to fund practical skills training for pastors who are members of the Benefits Plan and currently serving a Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregation.

The educational programs may provide training in congregational and staff leadership, budgeting and financial management, strategic planning, or conflict resolution. Expenses must be directly related to practical skills education (other seminar, conference, or degree program fees are not eligible).

The training must be developed by and involve a synod or must be developed by a group of three or more presbyteries working together. Synods and presbyteries may work in cooperation with General Assembly entities (such as Vocation), Presbyterian colleges, seminaries, or other appropriate organizations. It also must be in keeping with the polity of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

Examples

Congregational and Staff Leadership

• Understanding your leadership style
• Identifying and developing effective leadership in the congregation
• Learning skills to deal with conflict, change, and growth
• Creating an institutional environment for effective congregational leadership
• Exploring staff organization and ways to improve the functioning of staff

Budgeting and Financial Management

• Encouraging stewardship of financial resources
• Understanding budgeting income and expenses
• Understanding financial statements
• Understanding clergy tax and housing issues
• Exploring ways to address pastoral and ethical issues regarding money

Strategic Planning

• Exploring biblical and theological models for understanding change
• Developing evaluation tools for assessing a congregation
• Developing a vision and mission statement
• Setting directions, defining objectives, responsibilities, and accountability
• Helping a congregation respond to change

Conflict Resolution

• Understanding attitudes and approaches to conflict
• Developing the skills to diagnose personal and institutional sources of conflict
• Mediating disputes, building trust, establishing consensus
• Developing communication skills to diffuse conflict
• Learning to use conflict as an opportunity for personal and congregational transformation
• Exploring the biblical and theological resources for conflict resolution

Middle Governing Body(ies) and Attendee Responsibilities

The middle governing body(ies) submits a completed application form to the Board of Pensions. If the application is approved, the middle governing body(ies) also must:

• Submit periodic reports to the Board of Pensions Assistance Program regarding the use of funds, pastors served, and programs offered
• Provide post-event evaluations of the continuing education programs to the Board of Pensions, including the number of pastors served

Attendees are accountable to the middle governing body to:

• Attend the education and training programs
• Use budgeted continuing education funds to support the cost of their attendance, when appropriate, and
• Provide post-event evaluations of their training to the middle governing body, including a "next steps" strategy that explains how they will apply what they have learned to their ministries