Quick Links: Overview | Our Vision & Priority Areas | FAQs
CAMPAIGN OVERVIEW
Through the From Deep Roots, New Life capital campaign, we seek to build an endowment to provide churches of all sizes with Spirit-led, healthy, wise and loving leaders who will make the church look and act more like Jesus: challenging, healing, freeing, life-giving; to give our clergy and lay leaders the spiritual and organizational support to thrive; and to give our leaders and communities the breathing space through financial support to think bold new ideas, to consider new models and ways of doing things, to be courageous to explore and experiment and yes sometimes to fail, learn, and start anew.
TRAINING
Developing lay and ordained leaders from throughout the region, especially those who plan to work bi-vocationally through the School for Ministry and providing professional coaching for clergy and lay leaders stepping into new calls or new directions in their ministry. Training our leaders to be nimble, courageous, and providing them with the space to think outside of how things always have been done.
PLACING
Removing obstacles to make ministry possible. Bringing high-potential, early- and mid-career clergy together with congregations who have great potential but aren’t yet able to support full-time clergy, or providing funding for congregations for hiring newly ordained clergy they would otherwise be unable to afford.
SUPPORTING
Supporting emerging and nimble new shoots of the vine that offer alternative forms of worship and community. Allowing for agility but with the safety, stability, and backing of the diocese. We can then learn from these new communities and gain insights to benefit the whole diocese. Launching missional communities requires substantial resources, and funding allows us to continue to partner with The Episcopal Church and other granters to nurture new growth and life.
OUR VISION & PRIORITY AREAS
As a diocese, we want to be able to say YES when our church leaders reach out to us to say they need our help. A $2 million endowment will allow the diocese to bolster their exploration of new, flourishing paths forward in the name of our savior.
HERE ARE OUR TOP FIVE PRIORITY AREAS:
THE SCHOOL FOR MINISTRY
The School for Ministry develops leaders— both lay and ordained—called from throughout the region. The school’s teaching model offers blended online and in-person education and training, an attractive alternative to attending a full-time residential seminary. While the school prepares priests to serve in a variety of settings across the church, it is especially appropriate for those who plan to work “bi- vocationally,” continuing secular employment while also serving as ordained clergy.
THE BISHOP’S CURATES FUND
The Bishop’s Curates Fund provides support for congregations to help them hire promising, newly ordained clergy—clergy that they otherwise would not be able to afford. Curates bring new ideas, energy, and vision to the congregation and the diocese.
THE MINISTERIAL DEVELOPMENT FUND
The Ministerial Development Fund brings high-potential, early- and mid-career clergy together with congregations who have similarly great potential but are not yet able to support full-time clergy. The Fund provides three fully funded years, and reduced support for two more years, to encourage dynamic clergy leaders to engage and grow their congregations and establish financial sustainability.
THE GOSPEL-ORIENTED COMMUNITIES FUND
The Gospel-Oriented Communities Fund supports emerging and highly adaptable new shoots of the vine that offer alternative forms of worship and community. Meal-time worship, outdoor / environmental churches, and online services and prayer are all examples of different ways of “being church” that are being raised up in New Hampshire. Launching a missional community requires substantial resources. Funding for this initiative allows us to continue to partner with The Episcopal Church and other granters to nurture new growth and life.
THE COACHING FUND
The Coaching Fund provides professional coaching for clergy and lay leaders who are stepping into new calls, or those in need of support or new direction to help navigate the landscape of their congregations. Coaching is a proven approach that helps leaders clarify and define specific goals, challenges, and next steps, and provides guidance that leads to successful change and leadership growth.
