Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    • Home
    • About Us
    • Digital Subscription
    • Advertisement
    • Contact Us
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    The Tennessee TribuneThe Tennessee Tribune
    Advertise With Us
    • Home
      • COVID-19 Resource Center
        • Dr. Henry Louis Gates’ PSA Radio
      • Featured
    • News
      • State
      • Local
      • National/International News
      • Global
      • Business
        • Commentary
        • Finance
        • Local Business
      • Investigative Stories
        • Affordable Housing
        • DCS Investigation
        • Gentrification
    • Editorial
      • National Politics
      • Local News
      • Local Editorial
      • Political Editorial
      • Editorial Cartoons
      • Cycle of Shame
    • Community
      • History
      • Tennessee
        • Chattanooga
        • Clarksville
        • Knoxville
        • Memphis
      • Public Notices
      • Women
        • Let’s Talk with Ms. June
    • Education
      • College
        • American Baptist College
        • Belmont University
        • Fisk
        • HBCU
        • Meharry
        • MTSU
        • University of Tennessee
        • TSU
        • Vanderbilt
      • Elementary
      • High School
    • Lifestyle
      • Art
      • Auto
      • Tribune Travel
      • Entertainment
        • 5 Questions With
        • Books
        • Events
        • Film Review
        • Local Entertainment
      • Family
      • Food
        • Drinks
      • Health & Wellness
      • Home & Garden
      • Featured Books
    • Religion
      • National Religion
      • Local Religion
      • Obituaries
        • National Obituaries
        • Local Obituaries
      • Faith Commentary
    • Sports
      • MLB
        • Sounds
      • NBA
      • NCAA
      • NFL
        • Predators
        • Titans
      • NHL
      • Other Sports
      • Golf
      • Professional Sports
      • Sports Commentary
      • Metro Sports
    • Media
      • Video
      • Photo Galleries
      • Take 10
      • Trending With The Tribune
    • Classified
    • Obituaries
      • Local Obituaries
      • National Obituaries
    The Tennessee TribuneThe Tennessee Tribune
    Religion

    AME 2nd Episcopal District Receives Lilly Endowment Grant for Rural Church Revitalization Program

    Article submittedBy Article submittedNovember 14, 2020Updated:November 14, 2020No Comments3 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Telegram Pinterest Tumblr Reddit Email
    James L. Davis, Servant Bishop SED
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email
    The Second Episcopal District African Methodist Episcopal Church (SED) has received a grant of $999,726.00 from Lilly Endowment Inc. to help establish the Second District Rural Churches Revitalization Program (RCRP).
    The program is funded through Lilly Endowment’s Thriving Congregations Initiative. The aim of the national initiative is to strengthen Christian congregations so they can help people deepen their relationships with God, build strong relationships with each other and contribute to the flourishing of local communities and the world.
    Lilly Endowment is making nearly $93 million in grants through the initiative.  The grants will support organizations as they work directly with congregations and help them gain clarity about their values and missions, explore and understand better the communities in which they serve, and draw upon their theological traditions as they adapt ministries to meet changing needs.
    Thirty rural congregations from Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina located in regions with declining populations discover new ways to flourish. This program builds upon the work of the SED mirroring initiative, a church assessment method, started in 2017. Mirroring aided rural congregations in determining strengths and areas requiring growth.  The RCRP will lead these churches through an informed decision-making process. Each church will delineate clear next steps designed to create community engagement and new ministry development that will move the churches toward healthy sustained growth.  Congregations will participate in retreats, hear from church renewal experts, and have assigned coaches. Churches will learn how to redeploy their resources, expand teamwork, and create new community-focused ministries. By the end of the program, these thriving rural churches will offer a blueprint that other rural churches can emulate.
    James L. Davis, Servant Bishop SED says that, “Rural communities are essential to the health of our society; they provide food, water, recreation, and economic support. The SED understands the pivotal role our rural churches have in these communities. This program will help our churches to address gaps in service and establish ministries that will strengthen not only our congregations but also the wider society.”
    The Second Episcopal District AME Church is one of 92 organizations taking part in the initiative. They represent and serve churches in a broad spectrum of Christian traditions, including Anabaptist, Baptist, Episcopal, Evangelical, Lutheran, Methodist, Mennonite, Pentecostal, Presbyterian, Reformed, Restoration, Roman Catholic, and Orthodox, as well as congregations that describe themselves as nondenominational. Several organizations serve congregations in Black, Hispanic, and Asian-American traditions.
    “In the midst of a rapidly changing world, Christian congregations are grappling with how they can best carry forward their ministries,” said Christopher Coble, Lilly Endowment’s vice president for religion. “These grants will help congregations assess their ministries and draw on practices in their theological traditions to address new challenges and better nurture the spiritual vitality of the people they serve.”
    Lilly Endowment launched the Thriving Congregations Initiative in 2019 as part of its commitment to support efforts that enhance the vitality of Christian congregations.
    AME Church Lilly Endowment Rural church
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Article submitted

    Related Posts

    IN MEMORIAM: Dr. Danielle Spencer-David, a Richmond Veterinarian and Star of What’s Happening!!, Dies at 60

    August 13, 2025

    Former Shelby County commissioner Bolton, passes

    August 13, 2025

    Brother of Boxing Legend Muhammad Ali Passes Away

    August 13, 2025

    Loni Anderson 1945 – 2025

    August 12, 2025

    Indian Association to Celebrate Cultural Heritage Day with Parade and Festivities at Public Square

    August 4, 2025

    Bishop Maynard to be honored

    July 24, 2025

    Comments are closed.

    Advertisement
    Business

    NBCC MINORITY BUSINESS OF THE WEEK: Flying Dress

    August 20, 2025

    Toon appointed new role at MMCV

    August 16, 2025

    FARM BUREAU INSURANCE OF TENNESSEE CEO JEFF PANNELL ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

    August 11, 2025
    1 2 3 … 386 Next
    Education
    Education

    TSU to Build $50M Engineering Facility

    By Alexis ClarkAugust 21, 2025

    NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University is taking a step toward a future-ready campus…

    Fisk University Earns National Recognition for Commitment to First-Generation Student Success

    August 17, 2025

    Dr. Belle Wheelan Retires, Leaving Southern Colleges Stronger and More Accountable

    August 17, 2025

    APSU’s Meisch named to Clarksville-Montgomery County IDB board of directors

    August 11, 2025
    The Tennessee Tribune
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    • About Us
    • Digital Subscription
    • Store
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact
    © 2025 The Tennessee Tribune - Site Designed by No Regret Media.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    Our Spring Sale Has Started

    You can see how this popup was set up in our step-by-step guide: https://wppopupmaker.com/guides/auto-opening-announcement-popups/