Author

Stephanie M. Crumpton

Associate professor of practical theology, McCormick Theological Seminary

The Rev. Dr. Stephanie M. Crumpton is an associate professor of practical theology at McCormick Theological Seminary. Prior to that, she was an assistant professor of practical theology at Lancaster Theological Seminary in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. She taught and lectured at Hood Theological Seminary, Chicago Theological Seminary, Candler School of Theology at Emory University and the Interdenominational Theological Center.

Her research and work in communities has involved serving as a state court family violence advocate, publication of "A Womanist Pastoral Theology Against Intimate and Cultural Violence" and upcoming research into the role of faith communities' woman-centered mentoring to support women reentering community following incarceration. 

An ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, she earned a  doctorate of theology in pastoral care and counseling from Columbia Theological Seminary, an M.Div. from Johnson C. Smith Presbyterian Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, and a bachelor of arts in broadcast journalism from Langston University.

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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