By Mark Fischenich, Mankato Free Press

 

ST. PETER — Gustavus Adolphus College has received a $1 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to support the continuing education and leadership development of Evangelical Lutheran Church in America pastors in southern Minnesota.

The Lilly Endowment’s Thriving in Ministry initiative supports a variety of religious organizations across the nation as they help pastors build relationships with experienced clergy who can serve as mentors and guide them through key leadership challenges in ministering to their congregations.

The grant to Gustavus is targeted at the college’s Pastor-to-Pastor program and will allow for the creation of a framework for professional development among clergy, known as the Continuous Growth Pathway program.

The Rev. Grady St. Dennis, the director of church relations at Gustavus, is the leader of the Continuous Growth Pathway program, which provides a variety of resources for ELCA clergy in synods covering southeastern and southwestern Minnesota.

“For pastors serving in southern Minnesota, most of the continuing education resources require driving long distances or are limited to an online experience,” St. Dennis said in a statement announcing the grant. “I am especially pleased that we will be able to bring so many additional resources to clergy serving in southern Minnesota.”

Lilly Endowment — founded in 1937 by members of the family associated with the pharmaceutical business Eli Lilly & Co. — is making nearly $70 million in grants to 78 organizations reflecting mainline and evangelical Protestant, Roman Catholic and Orthodox traditions.

The Indianapolis-based private philanthropic foundation was created to support the causes of community development, education and religion. Its grant-making in religion focuses on supporting efforts to strengthen the leadership and vitality of Christian congregations throughout the country and to increase the public’s understanding of the role of religion in public life.

“Leading a congregation today is multi-faceted and exceptionally demanding,” said Christopher L. Coble, Lilly Endowment’s vice president for religion, in a statement. “When pastors have opportunities to build meaningful relationships with experienced colleagues, they are able to negotiate the challenges of ministry and their leadership thrives.”