Lilly Endowment Increases Support to Rebuild Historic Churches

Lilly Endowment Increases Support to Rebuild Historic Churches | [View online]( [Give Now]( Advertisement [Local Church Outreach]( [CT Pastors]( [Subscribe]( [More on Outreach]( Wednesday, August 14, 2019 Lilly Endowment Increases Support to Rebuild Historic Churches I’ve talked a few times in this newsletter about the selling off and tearing down of old church buildings in communities around the country. It can be frustrating on two levels: First, the community is losing a valuable space that once brought people together, and second, there is likely a vibrant church plant that would love to use that space. This isn’t a perfect solution, but I’m glad to see the Lilly Endowment increase their investment in restoring old worship spaces. Since their National Fund launched in 2016, they’ve distributed millions of dollars in grants for local congregations. Recently they [announced]( a new round of grants: Robert Jaeger, president of Partners for Sacred Places, says that support from the Endowment enables the National Fund to promote the civic value of sacred spaces throughout the country. “This is an initiative that responds to both the fragility and the strength of these places,” says Jaeger Hopefully Lilly’s work will be a catalyst to keep sacred spaces standing so these once-vibrant churches will still ring out with the good news of the gospel. [Church Steps Up When Grocery Store Closes]( Sometimes it’s not the church that closes in a community, but an important institution like a grocery store. For many impoverished communities, especially in urban areas, this can be devastating. That’s why it’s great to see churches in northwest Oklahoma City step up when a popular local store [shuttered](: When Smart Saver closed its doors on Monday, it left many people in limbo. "Feel forgotten," Burton said. "It's hard not to have a store here. It's 10 miles away to go to a store now." Officials say the closure caused a big problem for many residents who aren't able to drive. That's why EMBARK, along with local churches and community members, are stepping up. They're lending a hand in the form of free rides to other grocery stores that residents are not able to reach by walking. What a great idea—a simple thing that can help a lot of people. [Stuart Briscoe on Change]( I enjoyed this classic Leadership Journal [piece]( from Stuart Briscoe on leading through change in a church. In his typical humorous style, he walks through some growing pains at Elmbrook Church in adjusting their music style. Four lessons he urges for leaders and change: - Teach people to handle tension. - Work with a plurality of leaders. - Keep communication going both ways. - Give people time to mull it over. That last one—give people time to mull it over—may be the one we leaders do least often. Hopefully we can learn from Briscoe’s experience. [Daniel Darling] [Daniel Darling] [Daniel Darling](mailto:krohane@christianitytoday.com) [A Vision Worth Living and Dying For]( [A Vision Worth Living and Dying For]( How God called Christianity Today’s new leader, Dr. Timothy Dalrymple, and a glimpse into the ministry’s expanded direction. [Read more]( Advertisement More from CT Pastors [The Unbearable Pressure to Do Great Things for the Lord]( [The Unbearable Pressure to Do Great Things for the Lord]( My quest for significance left me anxious and deflated. Ken Shigematsu [Read More]( [Preaching Against Racism Is Not a Distraction from the Gospel]( [Preaching Against Racism Is Not a Distraction from the Gospel]( The pulpit gives a record of our witness. Esau McCaulley [Read More]( [Does Your Preaching Touch Politics?]( [Does Your Preaching Touch Politics?]( Four pastors on how, and if, politics should enter the pulpit. Mark Dever, Adam Hamilton, Joel Hunter, and Efrem Smith [Read More]( Related Newsletters [CT Pastors Newsletter]( Each weekly CT Pastors issue equips you with the best wisdom and practical tools for church ministry. [Sign Up Now]( [Small Groups Newsletter]( Regular access to innovative training resources, Bible-based curriculum, and practical articles. [Sign Up Now]( Advertisement Follow Us: [Follow on Facebook]( [Follow on Twitter]( Need fresh, practical ideas for reaching your community? Each week, you’ll receive a wealth of invaluable ideas and resources for the outreach-oriented church leader. Local Church Outreach Delivered free via email to subscribers Weekly. [Subscribe]( to this newsletter. You are currently subscribed as {EMAIL}. [Subscribe]( to more newsletters like this. Manage your [email preferences]( or [unsubscribe](. Copyright ©2019 Christianity Today 465 Gundersen Drive, Carol Stream, IL 60188 All rights reserved. [Privacy Policy]( | [Advertise]( | [Subscribe to CT]( | [Give Now]( Christianity Today is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.