BACKGROUND:  In 1948, the former Lexington Presbytery created a “Minister’s Revolving Loan Fund” for the purpose of providing low interest loans for Ministers purchasing homes (many for the first time) upon retirement.  Over time, this fund has grown and gone through many changes.  Most recently, it has been known as the “Minister’s Grant Fund”, and it has continued to provide assistance for Ministers at the time of a home purchase.  As times change, it has become apparent that the needs of those in the ministry are evolving as well.

In order to better meet those needs and to foster “strong and enduring” Ministries, the Presbytery of Shenandoah has established “The Strong Ministers Program.”  This Program will provide assistance and encouragement from a fund that is currently valued at $1.14 million dollars.  At present, disbursements will be based on a distribution of 5% of the Fund’s value. Beginning in September 2004 and March 2005, there will be two equal disbursements, each calculated at one-half of 5% of the Fund’s Value.  (The percentage rate will increase if the market allows.)
(Please Note: You will receive a separate application form for each application period.)

Where applicable, Minister members residing in West Virginia are asked to please apply first to the West Virginia Fund for Ministers before applying for a grant from the Strong Ministers Program.

Please be aware that it may not be possible to meet all expectations.  This is a shared, limited resource.  The Strong Ministers Program Committee welcomes your suggestions for improving the allocation of this resource.

Who may apply?
Installed Minister members of Shenandoah Presbytery and Full-Time Certified Christian Educators, who meet the years of service requirements, may apply for grant in any category.  Retired Minister members of Shenandoah Presbytery, who have served in Shenandoah Presbytery, may apply for assistance under the “Housing and Emergency Medical Expenses” portion of the Program.


I.   Housing Assistance
A Grant of $5,000 (Maximum) is available one time during the tenure of a Minister member of Shenandoah Presbytery.  Minister members are defined as installed or retired pastors and Full-Time Certified Christian Educators in good standing.  If retired, this Minister member must have served Shenandoah Presbytery in an installed capacity.  This Grant is available at the time of a home purchase or mortgage refinancing within the bounds of Shenandoah Presbytery or upon the occasion of a move to a retirement facility within Shenandoah Presbytery.  In the event that the number of requests exceeds the amount available in a given year, criteria based on years of service within Shenandoah Presbytery will be used.  Those who do not receive disbursements may make a similar request in subsequent application periods.

II.  General Grants
Installed Minister members of Shenandoah Presbytery and Full-Time Certified Christian Educators, as defined above, may apply for Grants limited to the following possible uses:  (Ordinarily, only one grant will be awarded per year per member with priority given to those members who have drawn less frequently from the Program.)

• Emergency Medical Expenses:  (not covered by the Board of Pensions)  Up to $2,000/year maximum
• Seminary or College Debt:  Up to $1,000/year maximum.  Application may be made once each year until the debt is retired.
• Continuing Education Grants for Ministers:  Up to $3,000/year maximum each year.  Available after three full years of installed service in the same call within Shenandoah Presbytery.
• Sabbatical Support:  Available after each seven (or more) years of active service in Shenandoah Presbytery.  This Grant is payable to the employing church or organization within Shenandoah Presbytery.
• College Grant Fund:  Installed Minister members and Full-Time Certified Christian Educators of Shenandoah Presbytery may apply on behalf of their children or spouse to receive an annual grant (or grants) to fund undergraduate College or University studies.  This is NOT a need-based grant, and disbursements will be made from an annual $10,000 “sub-fund” from the “Grants” portion of the annual distribution.  Up to $1,000/year maximum per child or spouse.  In the event of a large number of applications, grants will be awarded equally, not to exceed the annual tuition fees of the applicant.

III. General Presbyter's Discretionary Fund for Ministers

Should you have a concern that needs to be considered confidentially, please contact the General Presbyter, for this assistance.

• Those Minister members who are part of a clergy-couple shall be treated as two separate and independent individuals.
• The Strong Ministers Program Review Committee will oversee the semi-annual distribution of Grants from the Strong Ministers Program.  This committee will consist of seven members, of which five are to be Minister members of Shenandoah Presbytery (three active and two retired).  Further, at least one of the Minister members shall be a female Minister member of the Presbytery.  This Committee will be created and maintained through the normal nominations process.
• The Presbytery’s General Fund will continue to move towards financial independence from the proceeds of this Program by adopting the following formula for future disbursements:  In 2004, the General Fund will receive 8% or less of the interest income from the Strong Ministers Program.  This percentage will continue to decrease annually so that the Presbytery will receive 6% in 2005; 4% in 2006; and 2% in 2007.  Beginning in 2008, the Presbytery’s General Fund will no longer receive income from the Strong Ministers Program.  Within the Strong Ministers Program, these increases in disbursements will be shared equally between the Housing and Grants portions of the Program.
• This Program will be reviewed and modified as necessary, and the Committee will adopt criteria by which disbursements may be made. (Final approval and determination of all disbursements and decisions regarding the Program will rest with the Committee), which shall be accountable to Council and the Presbytery of Shenandoah, through the Funds Administration Committee.
• Please note that some Grants require the completion of a specified number of “years of service” to Shenandoah Presbytery.
• In order to best share our limited resources, Ministers serving in West Virginia are requested to make application to the West Virginia Fund before applying to the strong Ministers Program.
• WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER!

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    Millboro, VA 24460
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