DREAM TANK for Ministry Possibilities:

Click here to find out about our Inspiration and Innovation AWARDS for 2016

Here is information on our DREAM Tank program:

Ministry in the twenty-first century requires church leaders to dream beyond the walls of our buildings and confines of traditional programs as we imagine new possibilities to embody the Good News of Jesus Christ in our neighborhoods.  

A communal and presbytery-wide grant opportunity, Dream Tank for Ministry Possibilities is an opportunity for ministry dreamers and innovators throughout the Presbytery of Philadelphia to imagine new and creative initiatives that:

  • demonstrate an awareness of their congregational and community context;
  • empower and collaborate with leaders in their church and neighborhood;
  • address real concerns relevant to a congregation’s surrounding community;
  • leverage the gifts and assets of local church, community, and culture;
  • utilize new tools and platforms for financial sustainability;
  • illustrate a plan for the creative storytelling and evaluation of their particular ministry initiative;
  • risk the development of intentional mission and ministry not currently in existence or available to wider community.
  • reflect the good news of God’s love alongside those who do not already frequent the church;
  • present all of the above in five visual slides in five minutes at the Stated Meeting of the Presbytery of Philadelphia on November 15, 2016.                             

Who Can Apply?

Dream Tank for Ministry Possibilities is open to any congregation or approved ministry within the Presbytery of Philadelphia. Applications must be endorsed by a session or commission of the Presbytery of Philadelphia.  

When

  • July 8, 2016: Applications Published
  • September 27, 2016: Application Deadline, submitted to databaseadministrator@presbyphl.org
  • October 11, 2016: Applications Reviewed and Participants Selected
  • November 15th Stated Meeting: Presentations and Awarding

Amount Awarded*

  • Innovation Award: $3000
  • Two Runner Ups: $1000 each

*$5000 Total Awards Funded through Presbytery’s New Initiative Restricted Fund

Format and Application Process: Application Deadline Is September 27, 2016 (see above)

Dream Tank for Ministry Possibilities borrows its framework from popular entrepreneurial reality shows that invite small start-ups to present unique ideas to a panel of potential investors. In the same way, Dream Tank for Ministry Possibilities invites ministry dreamers and innovators throughout the Presbytery to draft a plan for a new ministry initiative (per the guidelines above) and present their start-up before a panel of three (2 from Commission or Resources and Communications and 1 former moderator of the Presbytery) and the entire Presbytery at our November 2016 Stated Meeting. The format is as follows:

  • Introductory application (attached) submitted to the Commission on Resources and Communications that outlines the new initiative per the guidelines above (submitted to CRC by September 27);
  • Commission on Resources and Communications selects three applicants to present before the November 2016 Stated Meeting (by October 11);
  • The three selected applicants are invited to present five slides in five minutes before the panel and Presbytery; after each presentation, the panel asks questions of intrigue, clarification, concern, and affirmation;
  • After all three presentations have been delivered, presenters are asked to leave the sanctuary as the full presbytery votes on the presentations; taking into consideration the insights of the panel, the Presbytery circles their selection for the Inspiration and Innovation Award on provided cards;
  • All cards are collected, votes tallied, and the Inspiration and Innovation Award recipient announced; two runner-ups also awarded start-up amount;
  • In the case of a tie, the panel cast votes to break the tie.
  • Each presenting initiative is invited to provide an update at a date and format TBD in 2017.

For additional information or questions, please contact  Greg Klimovitz

APPLICATION:

As a downloadable PDF: Dream_Tank_2016_APPLICATION

In WORD format: Dream_Tank_2016_APPLICATION