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THE CONGREGATIONAL GROWTH
AND DEVELOPMENT FUND
Policies and Procedures
Adopted by the Trustees of the Episcopal Fund and
Diocesan Properties
Revised December 8, 2004
The Congregational Growth and Development Fund,
established and held by the Trustees of the Episcopal Fund and Diocesan Properties, is available to congregations
and districts of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark for the purpose of congregational development that furthers the
mission of the Church. These funds will be available only to those who present a carefully and clearly defined
plan for consideration. Special attention will be given to churches where financial resources are limited or nonexistent.
I. PURPOSE OF THE CONGREGATIONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT FUND:
This fund is intended to provide financial resources to support congregations in achieving specific developmental
goals as they seek to define and carry out the mission of the Church. The Bishop and Trustees recognize the challenge
of measuring anything as complex as the strength and vitality of congregations. However, Congregational Growth
and Development Fund priority is given to proposals that include strategies and measurable goals to achieve one
or more of the following (or other) measures of congregational vitality.
A. POTENTIAL CONGREGATIONAL DEVELOPMENT GOALS:
§ Healthy Attendance and Participation, measured by:
o Average Sunday attendance
o Participation in parish events
o Participation in Sunday School
§ Strong Clergy and Lay leadership, measured by:
o Development of leadership skills
o Sufficient human resources to carry out the congregation's mission
o Number of lay people active in ministry (within or outside the congregation)
o Healthy congregational processes
§ Celebration and Creative Utilization of Diversity (racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, sexual orientation, etc.)
§ Financial Stability and Stewardship, measured by:
o A growing pledge base
o No long-term reliance on outside funding
o Commitment to proportional giving and investment in ministry
§ Great Ministry in the Wider Community, measured by:
o Partnership with other congregations
o Outreach mission
§ Ownership and Sharing of the Biblical story, measured by:
o Ability and openness to evangelism
o Ability to share God's story
B. TYPES OF INITIATIVES FOR WHICH FUNDING MIGHT BE AVAILABLE:
§ Initiatives that aid congregations or districts in the development of the ministry to which they feel called
as Christian communities.
§ Initiatives that develop new ministries.
§ Initiatives that enhance, revive and stabilize continuing ministries.
§ Initiatives that aid congregations in moving forward in instances where lack of financial resources are
judged to be the stumbling block toward doing effective ministry.
C. DURATION OF GRANTS
Grants may be requested for single or multiple years. Grants for multiple year initiatives should show decreasing
dependence on Congregational Growth and Development Funds over time.
All grantees are expected to submit a written report at the end of the grant period. Multi-year grantees shall
submit a written report within a year of the grant award and for each additional year of the duration of the grant.
Funding after the first year is dependent upon this reporting to the Bishop's office and to the Trustees.
If grant funds have not been disbursed within one year of the grant award, a congregation must submit an updated
request for funding.
II. THE APPLICATION PROCESS:
A. To begin the process, contact the Bishop's Office in the form of a brief Letter of Inquiry or a telephone
call to the Canon for Congregational Development in order to receive preliminary feedback on the potential match
between the proposed initiative and the goals of the Congregational Growth and Development Fund.
B. Proposals will be requested for initiatives that seem like potential matches. These proposals should include:
1. Cover sheet containing:
§ Name of Congregation
§ Title of the project
§ Responsible Clergy
§ Project Director
§ Duration of the project
§ Total Cost of the Project
§ Yearly Cost of the Project
§ Amount Requested
§ Other Sources of support
2. A description of how the congregation understands its unique context and mission. This description should demonstrate
consideration of demographic and preference data from Percept, Inc. - a congregational development resource available
free to all Diocese of Newark congregations
3. The congregation's primary congregational development goals
(see some typical congregational development goals in section I above)
4. A description of the proposed initiative
5. An explanation of how the proposed initiative will aid your congregational development goals including goals
and measurable objectives (specific hoped-for results) for the initiative (what do you hope will be different as
the result of this initiative? E.g. To increase Average Sunday Attendance from 50-60).
6. Evidence of the congregation's support for the project, including congregation's financial investment.
(How is the initiative consistent with congregational and vestry planning?)
7. Some form of a "Capability Statement"
(How project is to be managed and by whom?)
8. Methods of accountability, reporting and evaluation
(Who will monitor this initiative and how?)
9. Financial Request, including: a) Duration of grant, b) Total amount of grant over its duration, and c) A timetable
for payments
10. A commitment to report back to the Bishop's office at the conclusion of the grant, or at the end of each year
of the grant period with both financial data for the period and information regarding what was accomplished by
the investment from the Congregational Growth and Development Fund.
11. Attachments: Applications from congregations must also include: a budget for the project, the congregation's
budget, financial reports for the two years prior to the grant, a current audit, and a copy of the most recently
filed parochial report.
C. Completed proposals are due in the office of the Canon for Congregational Development no later than one month
prior to the quarterly (September, December, March and June) meetings of the Trustees of the Episcopal Fund and
Diocesan Properties.
· All proposals are to be made directly to the Bishop of Newark through the Canon for Congregational Development.
Proposals from Districts will be submitted to Diocesan Council for its recommendation. The Bishop recommends proposals
to the Trustees for consideration.
D. It is highly recommended that the Office of the Bishop be brought in the application process early in
the discernment phase.
Revised December 2004
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