LIVE WELL | LEAD WELL | LEAD CHANGE

The Siebert Lutheran Foundation strengthens Lutheran congregations by providing opportunities for ordained pastors to enroll in leadership training programs designed for equipping leaders of the 21st century. The Foundation’s Pastoral Leadership Development Grant Program provides grants for pastors in full-time and part-time congregational calls and certain para-church calls who have served at least three years in approved programs.

Para-church calls include, but are not limited to, pastors serving as campus ministers and directors of youth centers as well as other ministries focused on youth and young adult faith development. (Questions on whether your call would qualify should be asked of the program provider.)

The Foundation commits designated funding on a yearly basis to provide grants to this program. Currently, the max is $250,000 per year. Grants of up to $15,000 per pastor (or pastoral couple in the case of Pastoral Leadership Institute) are awarded to support the enrollment of pastors in Siebert Lutheran Foundation Board-approved leadership development programs.

The staff of the leadership development program (Vibrant Faith Ministries) applies for the scholarship grant(s) on behalf of the pastor(s).

The Foundation expects the congregation to contribute financially to the pastor’s leadership program. This congregational contribution will be established by the program provider based on the financial realities of the individual pastor/congregation. The Foundation has approved certain leadership development programs for funding.which includes Vibrant Faith's Leading Well program.

Participating congregations pay $500/year, for two years, as part of their contribution to the program.  Congregations are typically invoiced in November following Siebert Board approval of grant funding.

1 | Lutheran pastors serving full-time and part-time in congregations and certain para-church calls are eligible. Para-church calls include campus ministry, youth center leaders and other ministries focused on youth and young adult faith development.

2 | Pastors must be located in Wisconsin and upper Michigan to be eligible.

3 | The Foundation will not accept applications for pastors serving military bases, chaplains in colleges, universities, hospitals, nursing homes or prisons.

4 | The pastor must have served in a congregation for a minimum of three years after graduation from seminary.

5 | The Foundation will fund up to $15,000 max over a pastor’s lifetime service to the church.

6 | The pastor must be a member, in good standing, of his or her denomination, and the pastor must have received a master of divinity degree from a theological school accredited by the Association of Theological Schools or a recognized judicatory seminary.

7 | The pastor’s congregation must commit to support the pastor during the leadership training program, including continuation of the pastor’s salary and benefits.

8 | The pastor must be accepted into the Leading Well PLD program. pastoral leadership development program approved by the Siebert Lutheran Foundation Board of Directors (see above list).

9 | The staff of the leadership development program will apply for the grant(s) on behalf of the pastor(s) and their congregations. Applications are accepted once a year; during the Foundation’s fall funding cycle.

10 | The Foundation’s funding is contingent upon the congregation’s financial contribution to the pastor’s leadership program. The amount of congregational funding is established by the program provider, pastor and congregation leadership.

11 | Siebert funds will be disbursed directly to the leadership development program. The pastor then must work with the leadership program to disburse funds appropriately. In the event it becomes necessary for a pastor to drop out of their leadership development program after being awarded a grant, and before completion of the program, all remaining funds must be refunded to the Foundation by the leadership development program.

12 | In the event a pastor accepts a new call while enrolled in a leadership development program, the funds granted by the Foundation are to remain in place at the leadership organization for the pastor to complete the leadership development program. A letter of commitment from the new congregation supporting the pastor in his leadership development program must be obtained and sent to the Siebert Lutheran Foundation.

PLD participants who receive grant funding are expected to . . .
1 | Submit Congregational Approval letter to PLD coordinator
2 | Pay annual invoice in November ($500/year)
3 | Participate in 2 annual retreats (held in AZ in January)
4 | Complete/submit EQ & PQ assessments
5 | Complete/submit Leadership Formation Worksheet
6 | Participate in 8 PLD monthly cohort check-ins/year
7 | Participate in 2 coaching cohorts per year
8 | Meet with their assigned coach at least 8 times/year
9 | Create annual living well and leading well plans each year
10 | Show tangible progress toward their annual goals
11 | Provide feedback on the PLD program and the impact its made in their lives and congregation

- Be authentic, available & affirming
- Be fully present, willing to contribute, open to new perspectives
- Be willing to learn & unlearn
- Be willing to let go & try new approaches
- Show up on time for required events
- Reply to emails in a timely fashion (within 48 hours)
- Submit assignments in a timely fashion