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Many Stressed Financially

Many Americans are stressed financially and want to make improved financial decisions. A recent survey conducted by Dr. Matt Bloom indicates that Indiana United Methodist clergy are in similar situations. Many of these clergy have financial challenges – often because of debt they accrued to pursue their education and seminary goals.

Of the 362 clergy who completed the survey, 14.6% report having more than $25,000 in educational debt. Another 11.6% have educational debt between $10,000 and $25,000. Some 37% of those surveyed indicate a need to learn more about financial planning and management.

Rejuvenate: A New Outlook On Money

Thanks to a generous grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., the Indiana Conference of The United Methodist Church is able to respond to these challenges. Through Rejuvenate, clergy, their spouses, families and congregations will be able to re-energize, maybe even rebuild, their financial lives. 

Rejuvenate is focused on assisting indebted pastors to become free of debt, training both clergy and laity in effective financial management, changing the culture of the Indiana Conference from scarcity to generosity, and creating healthier congregational approaches to stewardship, generosity and management of funds for effective ministry.

Through open communication, education and support, Rejuvenate guides Indiana United Methodist clergy, as well as their spouses, families and congregations, to participate in the following step-by-step process:

• THINK theologically about stewardship
• LEARN about financial issues and the support available
• TALKmore openly about these financial issues with one another
• DECIDE to take advantage of the support available
• CHANGEhabits in the area of financial planning and decision making
• RECEIVE the matching grant funding available to clergy through Rejuvenate

Lilly Endowment Inc.’s Role

The Lilly Endowment Inc. extended an invitation to Protestant judicatories serving Indiana congregations to participate in an experimental initiative that seeks to help churches address economic challenges that undercut the effectiveness of their pastors. The Indiana Area was one of the judicatories that applied for and received a grant from the Lilly Endowment Inc. to fund Rejuvenate for the next four years.

Why Rejuvenate? A Word from Indiana Bishop Mike Coyner

"This project is like none other I have ever known. Rejuvenate has been developed specifically to assist Indiana United Methodist clergy, clergy spouses, their families and congregations to impact all of our financial lives in very significant ways. Through open communication, education and support, Rejuvenate will focus on helping individuals be better equipped to lead their families, live generously, be good managers of their resources, and help their churches do the same.

"Can you imagine how God is going to lead and guide us financially, as well as spiritually, through Rejuvenate? I believe the impact in our own lives, with our families, congregations, and then in our communities and world will be powerful.” 

Opportunities to Learn More

• Attend Rejuvenate’s Extravagant Generosity Workshops with Rev. David Bell
• Rejuvenate Extravagant Generosity Workshop Schedule
• Register online here for these 2010 Rejuvenate Extravagant Generosity Workshops        
• Rejuvenate’s leadership team 
• Support and funding through Rejuvenate
• Other resources for clergy and congregations  
• Study of Dr. Matt Bloom on clergy wealth Fall 2008 
• Study of Dr. Matt Bloom on clergy wealth Fall 2009
• Questions about Rejuvenate? Contact Michelle Cobb , project director, 317.924.1321.