Martin B. Copenhaver ponders whether he should be called “Martin,” “pastor” or some other title, such as “The Very Right Reverend Doctor Julius W. (‘Who Are You To Question My Authority?’) Johnson III.”
Author
Martin B. Copenhaver
The Rev. Martin B. Copenhaver is senior pastor of Wellesley Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, in Wellesley, Mass. He is the author or co-author of four books: “Living Faith While Holding Doubts,” “To Begin at the Beginning: An Introduction to the Christian Faith,” “Good News in Exile” and “Words for the Journey: Letters to Our Teenagers About Life and Faith.” His new book, co-authored by Lillian Daniel, is “This Odd and Wondrous Calling: The Public and Private Lives of Two Ministers,” to be published by Eerdmans in August.
The worst of all jobs, and yet...
Link to author Martin B. Copenhaver
By
Martin B. Copenhaver
What makes this crazy work worth doing? A sense of call, says the Rev. Martin B. Copenhaver.
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