The Clergy Family Initiative

Three Program Presentations Offered to Orient the Church on the Clergy Family Initiative

All presentations and programs are offered at no expense to the Clergy, Metropolises or the Archdiocese. That is, speaker travel, hotel, miscellaneous expenses, and honoraria, if applicable, are fully covered by our Lilly Endowment Grant, The National Initiative to Address Economic Challenges Facing Pastoral Leaders.

1) For Clergy

Dr. George Koulianos, the Clergy Initiative’s Main Presenter, provides a half-day program, for the Clergy, lasting 4 to 5 hours long. The Program would include a review of the Clergy Initiative and the Ministerial Excellence Fund followed by a Financial Literacy Program based on the Dave Ramsey Program (Financial Peace University) with our Financial Advisor. There would be worksheets for Clergy and Presvyteres to use at home.

The Following is a Sample Program:

9:00 AM-9:10 AM Welcome & Opening Prayer Priest
9:10 AM-9:40 AM Why Do We Need a Clergy Initiative George Koulianos
9:40 AM-10:30 AM Introduction to Savings, Debt, Management, and Budgeting Financial Advisor
10:30 AM-11:00 AM Breakout: Budgeting Challenges Panel
11:00 AM-11:15 AM Break  
11:15 AM-12:00 PM Planning for Your Future: Buying a Home, Career Transition Planning for Education, Retirement and Investing Financial Advisor
12:00 PM-12:30 PM Breakout: Retirement Planning Panel
12:30 PM-1:15 PM Ministerial Excellence Fund Update George Koulianos
1:15 PM-1:30 PM Closing Remarks and Prayer Priest

 

2. For Lay Leaders at Clergy-Laity Assembly

Provide a 90-minute program, 80 minutes to discuss the program and another 10 minutes for Q&A, to the Lay Leadership at your Clergy-Laity Assembly. The Program includes an overview of the Clergy Initiative Program as well as a review of our research findings and our Ministerial Excellence Fund.

3. For Metropolis Lay Leadership

Provide a 1-hour program to the Metropolis Lay Leadership on the unique challenges our Clergy and their families face. This program is similar to #2 above, but on a smaller scale. The most important part of our program is lay education on the unique calling that is the Priesthood. It is so important to change the hearts of the laity if we are to truly have a systematic change in our Church.

 

"Working this program TOGETHER has been life changing! For the first time we have solid guidance and proven success to give us hope and a future…It feels amazing to be coming back to life and we are so grateful for the helping hand that the Lilly Endowment has afforded us through this Grant."

 

The Clergy Family Initiative, a ministry of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Benefits Office, is pleased to announce the launch of the first-ever Parish Council Nominee Training Video Series.

These programs, made possible through a generous grant from the Lilly Endowment, will be used by Parish leadership as part of the mandatory Parish Council Nominee Training -- as mandated by the regulations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

The goal of the series is to have each Parish Council Nominee better understand the challenges that our Clergy face and how they, the Council Members, have a direct role in assisting the Priest in his ministry to the flock entrusted to him.

 

We invite you all to view the Clergy Family Initiative video of your particular Metropolis.

View the Training Videos »

We encourage the beloved Clergy of our Archdiocese to apply for the Clergy Family Initiative Financial Literacy and Grant Program.

Apply »

It is our heartfelt prayer that, as Parish Lay Leaders, you will learn more about the ministry of your Priest, and his personal challenges, and the need to grow as co-workers in sharing the Ministry of Christ.

 

Additional Information

The Clergy Family Initiative

The Clergy Family Initiative Brochure

The Clergy Family Initiative Endowment Fund Brochure

The Clergy Family Initiative Fact Sheet

Useful Links / For More Information

It has been shown that this program benefits the financial health and well-being of the priest and his family, and by extension, their parishes and parishioners."

His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America

 

The Clergy Family Initiative Objectives

Our program is multipronged and designed to accomplish six objectives:

  1. To educate our Laity on the unique challenges our Clergy and their families face and how those challenges can impact their ministry.
  2. To educate our Clergy on recent data from within our own Archdiocese on the personal, educational, and financial challenges our Clergy face.
  3. To provide research for Clergy, Presvyteres, and other Church Staff.
  4. To discuss the importance of managing personal and Parish finances, leading to an understanding of how efficient management both leads to healthier and more vibrant Parishes.
  5. To review our Ministerial Excellence Fund and the grant process associated with our Lilly Endowment Grant.
  6. To establish a community of Clergy support throughout the Archdiocese and its philanthropic ministries.