Beginning immediately, the MEF will offer grants to provide financial coaching sessions to our Professional Church Leaders (PCLs).
CLICK HERE for more information and application.

A Message To:  All Professional Church Leaders in ABC/IN-KY and ABCGI

From: Marc L. Kirchoff, Minister of Grants and Fundraising

Date:  May, 2009

Re: Ministerial Excellence Fund Grant Guidelines and Application

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The early months of our Ministerial Excellence Fund (MEF) ministry have been both challenging and informative. Our MEF Team has completed the first round of grants and is preparing to review the second round of applications later this month.

The process to date has, as anticipated, required that we make some revisions to our Application Form and Guidelines. These changes are needed to become more effective and efficient in our grant-making process. The revised documents are posted on this website.

The application process remains the same. Grant applications will be accepted on a quarterly basis, beginning on March 31.

Additional deadlines for application will be June 30, September 30 and December 31 each year
through 2012.

If emergency needs arise, the MEF Team can meet in the interim to consider exceptional requests. If such needs arise, please contact me directly to expedite the application process.

Please feel free to share these documents with anyone whom you believe might have interest in and/or benefit from making application. The Guidelines, Application Form and Tax Notice are also posted on both the ABC/IN-KY and ABC/GI websites. Applications can be downloaded online, then emailed to me, or sent hardcopy to:

Mary Kassel
1350 North Delaware Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202
marykassel@abc-indiana.org

All applications will be reviewed by the MEF Team. Information will be kept confidential and shared only as permission is granted by applicants.

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Guidelines for Application for Ministerial Excellence Fund Grants

Download PDF Version of these guidelines

The purpose of the Ministerial Excellence Fund (MEF) is to provide assistance to Professional Church Leaders (PCLs) facing financial difficulties that prevent them from focusing on the greater tasks of Kingdom ministry.  By removing barriers of financial hardship and need, the path is cleared for pastors to focus on, develop and implement excellence in their personal ministry serving their local churches.

Applications will be reviewed in light of expected outcomes which include:

• Relief of significant financial hardship
  Provision of personal financial counseling
  when appropriate

• Receipt of matching funds, preferably from the PCL’s local church

• Participation in appropriate educational
  programs and Regional/area/
  associational events by the PCL

• Participation in appropriate educational
  programs, Regional/area/associational events and ministries by the local church

• Enhancement of compensation and benefits for PCLs

• Better recruitment and retention of church
  leadership

• Strengthening of the local church’s financial resources beyond the scope of the grant

• Strengthened stewardship within the local
  church

• Increased financial resources flowing out of the church into ministry and mission

• Enhancement of the overall ministry of the PCL and local church as a result of
  participation in the MEF ministry

PCLs from churches in the American Baptist Churches of Indiana and Kentucky (ABC/IN-KY) and American Baptist Churches of Indianapolis (ABC/GI) may apply for a grant.  Assistance will be provided for a variety of needs including, but not limited to:

• Health care costs including medical bills, sudden illness, etc
  Emergencies and disasters (flooding, fires, etc.)Retirement planning

• Educational expenses including student loan relief, certification programs and general career/work skills

• Household expenses including utilities, automobile and transportation (breakdowns, repairs, fuel crisis, etc.)

• Purchases necessary for advancement of ministry

No grant moneys will be provided to supplement retirement or savings accounts of any kind.  No grant moneys will be used to supplement local church budgets.  No moneys will be used to provide salary support.

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