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."
