Author
David J. Schlafer
Priest, educator, writer
The Rev. Dr. David J. Schlafer is an Episcopal priest who has taught theology and homiletics at seminaries of several denominational traditions. He has served on the staff of the College of Preachers and the faculty of the D.Min. in preaching programs of Chicago-area divinity schools. He has led preaching conferences across the United States, England and Canada.
Schlafer is the author or editor of 18 books on preaching. He is also an editor for Connections, a lectionary commentary series from Westminster John Knox. He serves as a consultant on preaching for individuals and preaches regularly in his home parish, Church of the Redeemer, Bethesda, Maryland.
Lilly Endowment Inc. announces Exploring Christian Practices Initiative
The Exploring Christian Practices Initiative aims to multiply opportunities and increase access to settings that help individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds explore and engage in Christian practices to address their spiritual interests and questions, find and build community with others, nourish their religious lives and grow in faith.
In this open and competitive initiative, the Endowment invites charitable organizations to submit proposals for grants of up to $2.5 million each that may be used for up to a five-year period to develop new and/or enhance existing programs that present promising strategies for advancing the aim of the initiative and provide compelling and thoughtful responses to its guiding questions. The Endowment anticipates awarding approximately 60 grants and announcing grant awards in December 2026.
The Endowment will host four virtual information sessions (February 17, 19, 24, and 25) to discuss the Exploring Christian Practices guidelines for submitting a proposal. An Interest Form and Letter of Interest are due March 25, 2026. Complete proposals are due May 18, 2026.
Learn More and register for information sessions