The Institute for Clergy Excellence

You are invited to become a sponsor of the Institute for Clergy Excellence. (ICE)

ICE employs a peer learning strategy, which affords pastoral leaders the opportunity to take charge of their own learning. This educational methodology has been developed and tested over 25 years. It rests upon four essential elements:

1.     Self-selected peer groups

2.     that design their own learning

3.     study together over time, and

4.     hold one another accountable to the learnings.

The opportunity for pastoral leaders to take advantage of these benefits is rare, profound, creative, and energy building. Testimonials from clergy and their congregations, which you will find in this packet of material, underscore and validate this claim while providing evidence of transformation.

Your support is needed for the continuation of pastoral peer learning in the Southeast region. After their project proposals are accepted and approved by ICE, peer groups are awarded an $80,000.00 educational grant; approximately 60% of this amount is provided by ICE and 40% is contributed by clergy peers and their congregations. Each pastor in a peer group contributes $600 per year for three years and each congregation of a pastor in a peer group contributes $900 per year for three years. The cost of the group facilitator is over and above the educational grant.

A sponsorship of one ICE peer group is $75,000. This is equivalent to 60% of the educational grant plus the cost of facilitation. The sponsorship can be paid at the rate of $25,000 per year for three years. Sponsors are invited to interact with the peer group they are supporting. You will learn about the fascinating things the group is discovering and become friends with eight talented, diverse pastors who are sharing life while supporting each other’s ministries in vital ways.

This proven method of study and renewal is leading to transformation in pastors and in the congregations they serve. $75,000 will support a peer group with a facilitator for three years of study and travel. Administrative costs are covered by the Lilly Endowment, Inc. and the Dixon Foundation.

Our pastors, our friends, our teachers, our counselors and our spiritual guides have extremely demanding jobs and feel innumerable pressures. We have the chance to provide help. When we make it possible for them to participate in this program pastors and laity in congregations have a real chance to discover a renewed vision and focus that will increase creativity, boost morale, and generate hope.

The Institute for Clergy Excellence has a 25-year history of strengthening pastors in their ministries. Many have testified to the power of peer learning to keep them in the ministry. Those who sponsor a group gain a rich opportunity to further the kingdom of God through close clergy contacts.

We invite you to pray about your commitment as you consider helping.

Please contact Larry Dill or Marty Bibee, 256 489-4231 for more information!