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 NACCC’s Excellence in Ministry Awards are composed of the Marion Bradshaw Award, the Harry R. Butman Award, and the Jennette Butman Award. Each Excellence in Ministry Award is intended to recognize a leader or innovator who has made a significant contribution to Congregationalism and who exemplifies a personal commitment to faith, freedom, and fellowship.

Nominations may be made by churches or individuals. Supporting documentation may also be submitted to assist the Vitality Ministry Council in their selection process, including letters of support and/or articles about the nominee.

Awardees are chosen at the discretion of the Vitality Ministry Council. Submitted materials will be kept confidential and become the property of the NACCC.

Marion Bradshaw Award

Marion Bradshaw was a professor at Bangor Theological Seminary in Maine and was the only faculty member to take a principled stand for continuing Congregationalism. The Marion Bradshaw Memorial Fund was originally endowed by Rev. Dr. Harry Butman in Bradshaw’s honor. This award is given to an ordained minister who is personally committed to Congregationalism. Preference is given to a minister in the state of Maine. Awarded funds are to be used for continuing education.

Harry R. Butman Award

Harry R. Butman was a Congregational minister and ardent proponent of Congregationalism. A graduate of Bangor Theological Seminary in Maine, he served several churches before moving to California as minister of the Congregational Church of the Messiah in Westchester. Harry believed in encouraging ministers and their spouses in their work on behalf of the church. This award is given to a minister or ministers with at least ten years of service in a NACCC church and a personal commitment to Congregationalism.

Jennette Butman Award

Established by Harry R. Butman in honor of his wife, this award honors spouses married to ordained Congregational ministers who have served NACCC churches for at least ten years and have been of help to their spouses. It may also be awarded to a widower or widow of a Congregational minister or the spouse of a CFTS student. The award is made on the basis of need, merit, or outstanding achievement.

Your completed nomination form along with any supplemental material can be submitted to Rev. Robb Tarr via email. The deadline for submissions is May 4, 2025.

You can access and download the fillable nomination form here.

The awardee of the Marion Bradshaw Award will receive $500 for continuing education outside of a professional degree program.

The awardee of the Harry R. Butman Award will receive $500 for ministerial assistance and encouragement.

The awardee of the Jennette Butman Award will receive $500 based on need, merit, or outstanding achievement.

On behalf of the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches (NACCC), the Vitality Ministry Council is accepting submissions for the J.J Russell Sermon Award. This award recognizes pastoral excellence in preaching related to Congregationalism.

Applicants to the J.J. Russell Sermon Award must be ordained pastors serving active NACCC member churches. Submitted sermons must have been preached between July 2023 and April 2025. Eligible sermons must focus on some aspect of classical Congregationalism and its relevance for today and communicate how we, as Congregationalists, can not only spread the good news of Jesus Christ but how to do that in a true Congregational Way.

Submissions must include:

• An audio version of the sermon (DVD, podcast, YouTube, etc.)
• A copy of the Sunday Worship Bulletin from when the sermon was preached
• A manuscript or transcript of the sermon

Links and documents can be submitted to Cynthia Hardy via email. Please contact Cynthia if you need a mailing address to submit materials. The deadline for submissions is April 30, 2025.

The awardee will receive:

• $350
• Full registration for the upcoming NACCC Annual Meeting and Conference
• 1/2 the room rate at the upcoming NACCC Annual Meeting and Conference

The winner of the J.J. Russell Sermon Award will be announced at the NACCC’s 2025 Annual Meeting and Conference.

The NACCC reserves the right to publish the award-winning sermon.

Click here for a pdf version of the qualifications and requirements of this award.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal program that provides financial support to people with limited income and resources who are age 65 or older, blind, or disabled, including people experiencing homelessness, mental illness, limited English proficiency, or reentry after incarceration. Children with disabilities or who are blind may also be eligible to receive SSI.

The SSI program provides monthly payments to help pay for basic needs like rent, food, clothing, and medicine. Did you know that a person could receive SSI payments of up to $967 a month, and a couple could receive up to $1,450 a month? Some states even provide an additional supplement. A person who worked long enough may also qualify to receive Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) or retirement benefits as well as SSI.

Receiving SSI also provides eligibility for Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamps), and other benefits. The Understanding SSI and Other Government Programs webpage shares more information about programs such as Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). 

Faith-based and community organizations and Social Security share a common mission – a commitment to serving the people who need it most. Together, we can protect and uplift people in times of great need.

If you know someone who may be eligible for SSI, encourage them to apply by visiting the SSI webpage. 

On behalf of the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches (NACCC), the Mission and Outreach Ministry Council (MOMC) is accepting nominations for the Charles Rush Award. This financial award is presented to minority persons who are working with Congregational Christian churches toward worthwhile social and personal goals. The award is intended to exemplify the excellent spirit of the Rev. Charles Rush, and to emphasize the importance of Christian social involvement. The Rush Award is presented at the Annual Meeting and Conference of the NACCC.

The late Charles Rush lived in California. His life of unselfish service as an educator and minister, friend of the Free Church, and active participant in the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches set an example for many. His friends have honored his memory by establishing this fund in his name.

Final determination of each year’s winner(s) is made by the Missionary and Outreach Ministry Council, as is the amount of the award. The recipients’ travel expenses to and from the Annual Meeting including room and board for up to forty-eight (48) hours will be paid out of the Charles F. Rush Memorial Fund.

Please send letters of nomination to: The National Association of Congregational Christian Churches, c/o Mission and Outreach Ministry Council, 184 Main Street, Kingston, NH, or via email to Missions Coordinator Julie Robie at jrobie@naccc.org.

The deadline for nominations is March 31, 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.

On behalf of the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches (NACCC), the Mission and Outreach Ministry Council (MOMC) is accepting nominations for The Charles Rush Award. This financial award is presented to minority persons who are working with Congregational Christian Churches toward worthwhile social and personal goals. The award is intended to exemplify the excellent spirit of The Rev. Charles Rush, and to emphasize the importance of Christian social involvement. The Rush Award is presented at the Annual Meeting and Conference of the NACCC.

Rev. Charles Rush’s life of unselfish service as an educator and minister, friend of the Free Church, and active participant in the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches set an example for many.  His friends have honored his memory by establishing this fund in his name.

Final determination of each year’s winner(s) is made by the Missionary and Outreach Ministry Council, as is the amount of the award. The recipients’ travel expenses to and from the Annual Meeting including room and board for up to forty-eight (48) hours will be paid out of the Charles F. Rush Memorial Fund.

Please email letters of nomination to NACCC Missions Coordinator Julie Robie. They may also be sent to Julie Robie, NACCC Missions Coordinator, 184 Main Street, Kingston, NH, 03848. Applications will be received until May 10, 2024.

The Congregational Investment Trust (CIT) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) entity established as an endowment investment option for member churches. Because endowment gifts are long-term, these funds are invested to preserve the purchasing power of gifts made using a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds, and alternative investments. The CIT’s target asset allocation is 65% stocks and 35% fixed income. Because principal values will fluctuate, the CIT is not suitable as a short-term investment vehicle. However, it is ideally suited as a long-term investment vehicle for church endowments.

Churches that participate in the CIT have access to funds either by written request or by setting up regular distributions. Churches can have a separate account balance for each fund it wishes to establish. An opening balance of $2,500 is required for each account with a minimum balance of $1,000 thereafter. Quarterly statements are issued to each church reporting their funds’ beginning balances, additions or withdrawals, net earnings and ending balances. All fees and expenses are charged against the aggregate earnings of the CIT and are therefore shared proportionately by all accounts. These funds are managed by Vanguard Institutional Advisory Services.

By becoming part of an investment pool with other churches you increase your investment return potential as well as the potential to lower investment fees. These funds are managed by Vanguard Institutional Advisory Services and is overseen by the National Association’s and the Congregational Foundation’s CIT Oversight Committee.

To participate in the Congregational Investment Trust a church must adopt the Congregational Investment Trust Adoption Agreement and execute the Account Authorization Form.

Congregational Investment Trust members seeking to deposit funds into the Congregational Investment Trust, should mail their deposit along with a completed CIT Deposit Form directly to:

Nottingham Trust
PO Box 690
126-130 South Street
Olean, NY 14760

Do not send deposits or CIT Deposit Forms to the NA office; please send them directly to Nottingham Trust.

Click to read CIT Brochure online

Account Authorization

Notice of Withdrawal

Investment Policy

CIT Deposit Form

2025 PERFORMANCE RESULTS

April – July 2025

January – March 2025

2024 PERFORMANCE RESULTS

November 2024

October 2024

September 2024

July 2024

March 2024

March 2024

2023 PERFORMANCE RESULTS

December 2023

October 2023

September 2023

June 2023

March 2023

2022 PERFORMANCE RESULTS

December 2022

September 2022

June 2022

March 2022

Congregational Investment Trust Meeting Minutes

2024: January, February (Annual Meeting), April, July

2023: April, August, October

The Providence Endowment was established and initially funded by the 2004 Annual Meeting and Conference Host Committee to help churches offset the expenses of sending a delegate to the Annual Meeting and Conference.  The Providence Endowment provides grants to churches that have been unable to send a delegate to the Annual Meeting and Conference for the last three years due to financial reasons.  Grants of up to $500 may be awarded to offset associated expenses.  See the application for details and the deadline. Grant recipients will be required to complete and submit a Grant Report (a brief questionnaire) following the meeting. 

To apply, download and complete the Providence Endowment Grant Application form.

Providence Endowment Grant Application

Providence Endowment Final Report