SPE History

Begun in 2002 through a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to Memphis Theological Seminary, Sustaining Pastoral Excellence is a ministry to support Christian pastors, their families, and their congregations...


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What we are learning 

Excellence in pastoral ministry is a gift of the healing and sustaining grace of God in the life of the whole person. Through faithful relatedness to God and others, good pastors maintain balance (wholeness) in their lives and ministries. 

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SPE-Related Resources


Imagination and the Pastoral Life: A Way of Seeing by Craig Dykstra

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“What are the elements of a sound pastoral imagination that responds to both God's call and the ecclesial imagination of a congregation? How can pastors foster this imagination in themselves and support it in one another? Craig Dykstra addresses these questions. Reflection questions, additional resources, and a print-ready version are included.”


People are dying for community by Jin S. Kim

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How did the Church of All Nations achieve diversity without talking about diversity? By talking instead about the need for racial reconciliation. And through honesty in marriage. And lots of Korean food.


A Holistic Approach to Wellness

“Pastors work in a complex relationship network. New research shows that efforts to improve clergy health must go beyond eating well and exercise to account for the influence of congregations and denominational polity.” From the “Faith and Leadership” web site. click here


SPE Website at Duke

“Sustaining Pastoral Excellence is a grant program created by Lilly Endowment Inc. to help maintain the high caliber of many of the country’s pastoral leaders. Since the program’s establishment in 2002, the Endowment has awarded funds to 63 grant recipients, including seminaries, denominational offices, retreat centers, and other educational institutions, to develop and administer research and other programs to sustain clergy for effective ministry. Representing nearly every Christian tradition, the Sustaining Pastoral Excellence projects are typically used to help ministers create environments for ongoing biblical study, theological reflection and spiritual renewal, and develop sustained friendships and opportunities for mutual support.

On behalf of Lilly Endowment Inc., Duke Divinity School serves as the coordination program for the Sustaining Pastoral Excellence grant program.”

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SPE Projects

“Across the nation, 63 grantees, including seminaries, denominational offices, retreat centers and educational institutions, have received funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. to develop and administer research and programs aimed at sustaining clergy for effective ministry.”

Lists all 63 projects with links to descriptions of each project.

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Pew and Pulpit Reports

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Faith and Leadership: Where Christian Leaders Reflect, Connect and Learn

“Leadership Education at Duke Divinity brings together in one initiative the school’s non-degree programs and scholarship on leadership development, pastoral excellence, clergy health, rural ministry, Hispanic ministry, youth formation, reconciliation and end-of-life care. Our work builds on the strengths of the Divinity School and engages multiple disciplines, from business to the arts. Our offerings include our online magazine, Faith & Leadership, and its companion blog, Call & Response; open-application programs; and custom educational experiences.

”The web site includes articles, reflections, resources, sermons and more.  On the home page, one can subscribe to the Faith and Leadership e-mail newsletter.

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