Enhance Ministry Thriving and See Impact Grow Through a SHARING VITALITY Grant!

One of the hottest topics for churches to wonder about and discuss today is “vitality.” How do we get it, sustain it, or recapture it? More importantly, what part of the church does it refer to and what does it look like in practice? There are member churches out there who are currently exploring and answering these questions in new and exciting ways. The NACCC Vitality Ministry Council believes these creative endeavors are worth supporting financially to see what they can inspire.

In 2026, the NACCC Vitality Ministry Council is prepared to offer 10 one-time grants to active member churches (or church cohort groups) of $2500 each to support new or expanding ministries or projects that involve churches being exploratory, ambitious, collaborative and generative as a way to enhance the vitality of the local church.

The two main goals of these grants are to 1) give a boost to ministries that have otherwise felt out of reach or unattainable due to cost, and 2) to provide a platform to share what you’re doing with fellow churches. We believe there is amazing potential in every ministry that we want to help unleash. If your church has an idea that you believe could benefit yourselves and others, submit a request to the Vitality Ministry Council through lwright@naccc.org by November 1, 2025.

The Details 

• All active NACCC member churches can apply. A church cohort anchored by an active NACCC member church can also apply, even if it includes some partner churches of other denominations or traditions. Cohorts may be formed by geography, or by ministry affinity, etc.
• Applicants must submit a proposal of no more than 3 pages which should include a narrative of the project goal and a simple budget for use of funds.
• Grant applications must be received by email on or before November 1, 2025.
• Awardees will receive notice of award in December 2025 to receive funding and begin projects in January 2026.
• Churches and/or cohorts can apply for any amount up to $2,500.
• Applications will be reviewed and approved by members of the NACCC Vitality Ministry Council and NACCC staff.
• Awardees will stay in communication with the Vitality Ministry Council and NACCC staff as projects progress, including about ways their ministry lessons and examples can be shared with other NACCC churches looking for ministry options that could be adapted to their context, and for support around implementation.
• Program information about those awarded and their midway progress through the year will also be shared by awardees in collaboration with the NACCC and Vitality Ministry Council at the NACCC 2026 Annual Meeting and Conference in Massachusetts.

Read the 2025 Sharing Vitality Grantee Progress Reports 

In 2025, the NACCC Vitality Ministry Council offered ten one-time grants of $2,500 each to active member churches or church cohort groups of the NACCC to support new or expanding ministries or projects that involve churches being exploratory, ambitious, collaborative, and generative as a way to enhance the vitality of the local church.

Awardees received notice of award in December 2024 and funding for projects began in January 2025.

The first cohort of grantees is doing amazing things and will be wonderful conversation and collaboration partners for others discerning what they can be doing to promote vitality in their ministries, churches, and communities. A wide range of projects are underway, providing great relatability for the types of challenges churches are facing and the types of opportunities God is opening doors to pursue.

We hope the following progress reports spark something that could lead at least to a conversation, if not the pursuit of an idea you sense God stirring for you. If that’s the case, don’t forget that you could be a grantee for this same program next year. We hope you do apply – all the key info to do so is at the end of the report!

2025 Sharing Vitality Grants Progress Reports

The National Association of Congregational Christian Churches (NACCC) is a fellowship of autonomous member churches that recognize the value of mutual support and the sharing of resources to accomplish goals beyond what a church can do alone. This Guide for Member Resources provides access to a wealth of support available to NACCC member churches, providing an outline for how to make the most of your membership.

Explore the Guide for Member Resources

Why Learn about Insurance?

True story: A pastor arrived at his church property only to witness the entire building burning in flames. It was a total loss. The following morning, as he wondered where the church would meet, and whether they had enough coverage to rebuild, he found out the church was underinsured. It would cost well over $1 million to rebuild what they had lost. But with only $700,000 in coverage, what were their options?

Regardless of good intentions, inadequate church insurance can lead to significant and permanent losses. Some churches never recover. Though nearly every church has insurance coverage, many church leaders lack confidence in their understanding of their policies and the terminology associated with them.

However, guidance is available, and you’re already taking important steps in receiving it. As you gain a better understanding of church insurance, as well as your church’s specific needs, you are making progress toward better safeguarding your ministry.

When it comes to church insurance, you must be informed. Get to know your insurance agent. And purchase only from a company that offers not only good prices, but good service, claims coverage, and specific knowledge of church insurance issues.

Want to gauge how your church is selecting insurance? Use this check list to aid you in selecting, retaining, and better understanding your church’s insurance.

Source: Hanna, Jeff. “Choosing Church Insurance: Tips from a Professional.” Church Law & Tax, June 17, 2020.

A housing allowance is an important tax benefit for pastors. Church boards can use the language below to create a resolution for a housing allowance. Use it for pastors who own or rent a home.

Important Note: A resolution can only be applied prospectively. It can never be applied retroactively. For a church to have a housing allowance resolution in place for a specific calendar year, it needs to adopt it by December 31 of the previous year. A resolution can be adopted after the start of a new calendar year, but it only applies from the date of the adoption forward.

Sample Housing Allowance Resolution for Pastors:

The following resolution was duly adopted by the board of directors of [Name of Church] at a regularly scheduled meeting held on [Day, Month, Year], a quorum being present:

Whereas, ministers who own or rent their home do not pay federal income taxes on the amount of their compensation that their employing church designates in advance as a housing allowance, to the extent that the allowance represents compensation for ministerial services, is used to pay housing expenses, and does not exceed the fair rental value of the home (furnished, plus utilities); and

Whereas, Pastor [First and Last Name] is compensated by [Name of Church] exclusively for services as a minister of the gospel; and

Whereas, [Name of Church] does not provide Pastor [First and Last Name] with a parsonage; therefore, it is hereby

Resolved, that the total compensation paid to Pastor [First and Last Name] for calendar year ____ shall be [$_____], of which [$_____] is hereby designated to be a housing allowance; and it is further

Resolved, that the designation of [$_____] as a housing allowance shall apply to calendar year ____ and all future years unless otherwise provided.

Source: Hammar, Richard R. “Housing Allowance Resolution for Pastors.” Church Law & Tax, March 6, 2025.

Does your church have an idea that could foster vitality and benefit others?

The NACCC Vitality Ministry Council believes creative endeavors are worth supporting financially to see what they can inspire!

In 2025, the NACCC Vitality Ministry Council is offering up to ten one-time grants of $2,500 each to active member churches or church cohort groups to support new or expanding ministries or projects that involve churches being exploratory, ambitious, collaborative, and generative as a way to enhance the vitality of the local church.

The Details 

All active NACCC member churches can apply for a grant of up to $2,500.

Applications will be received and approved by members of the NACCC Vitality Ministry Council and the NACCC Director of Programs.

Awardees will receive notice of award in December 2024. Funding for projects will begin in January 2025.

Awardees will stay in communication with the Vitality Ministry Council and NACCC staff as their projects progress.

How to Apply 

Applicants must submit a proposal of no more than three pages, which should include a narrative of the project goal and a simple budget for the use of funds. For more detailed information on how to construct your proposal, click here.

Proposals can be sent to the Vitality Ministry Council via NACCC Church Services Coordinator Laura Wright at lwright@naccc.org.

Proposals are due by November 1, 2024.