Clergy Renewal Leave Grants

The Baltimore-Washington Conference (BWC) provides Renewal Leave Grants through the Board of
Ordained Ministry (BOOM), funded by the Ministerial Education Fund (MEF), ranging from $2,500 to
$5,000, to cover costs associated with clergy persons seeking time away from pastoral duties
through renewal leave. Grant awards will be determined and notifications made
by October 1.

Eligibility

To be eligible for consideration, applicants must:

  • Be full members or associate members of the Baltimore-Washington Conference, or local pastors who have made satisfactory progress on the Course of Study, and who are currently in an appointment,
  • have served a minimum of six (6) consecutive years under full-time appointment (or the part-time equivalent) prior to their application,
  • not have received a Renewal Leave Grant award in the previous six (6) years,
  • receive approval of their District Superintendent, Staff Parish Relations Committee, and Administrative Council/Church Council/Unified Board.

Timeline for Grant Application and Use

Eligible applicants shall submit their application between June 1 and September 1 of the preceding year via the Renewal Leave Grant Application Form found on the BWC website. All required approvals and recommendations described in the “Application Process” below must be received by September 1 in order for the application to be considered. Funding may be used during the subsequent calendar year. Award notifications will be made by October 1.

Application Process

The applicant must do the following:

  1. Meet with both the District Superintendent and the Pastor-Staff Parish Relations Committee of the local church/charge being served at the time of the request to formulate the Renewal Leave
    Plan.
  2. Secure the approval of the Renewal Leave Plan by the Administrative Council/Church Council/Unified Board of the church/charge being served at the time of the request.
  3. Have the chairs of both the SPRC and Administrative Council/Church Council/Unified Board submit their approval/recommendation via the online “Renewal Leave Grant Recommendation Form” found on the BWC website.
  4. Secure the written approval of their District Superintendent at the time of the request via the “Renewal Leave Grant Recommendation Form” found on the BWC website.
  5. Complete the online application via the “Renewal Leave Grant Application Form” found on the BWC website by September
  6. Arranging pastoral supply is the responsibility of the pastor. The District Superintendent may be able to provide contact information of individuals willing to provide pastoral leadership to the church during the Renewal Leave. Funding for this coverage (in addition to other financial requests) may be included in the grant application.

Criteria for Evaluation and Approval of Applications

  • Applicants must be full members or associate members of the Baltimore-Washington Conference or local pastors who have made satisfactory progress on the Course of Study and who are currently in
    an appointment. Applicants must have served a minimum of six
    (6) consecutive years under full-time appointment (or the part-time equivalent) prior to their application.
  • Applicants who have been granted a renewal grant previously may apply for additional grants. However, first-time applicants shall be given priority.
  • Each application shall be considered carefully and prayerfully by representatives of the Board of Ordained Ministry Renewal Leave Committee. Their decision will be reported to the clergy person,
    the SPRC, and the District Superintendent of the pastoral charge.

The following shall be carefully considered:

  • The circumstances of each applicant.
  • The recommendations of the District Superintendent, the Pastor-Staff Parish Relations Committee,
    and the Administrative Board/Church Council/Unified Board.
  • The availability of sufficient funds to underwrite the request

Funding

  1. The local church/charge will continue to pay the pastor's salary and benefits during the period she or he is on Renewal Leave.
  2. If awarded a grant, payment of the grant funds will be made by the annual conference directly to the church, following receipt of a voucher from the local church Treasurer for expenses. If the
    grant includes funds to pay the person giving pastoral coverage, this will be remitted according to arrangements made before the Renewal Leave. If the grant includes funding for expenses incurred by
    the pastor, payment will be made to the pastor after the submission of appropriate receipts.
  3. All reimbursement requests must be submitted to the Ministerial Services Coordinator within one month after the completion of the Renewal Leave, or by December 31 of that year, whichever comes
    first.

Application

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