Bountiful Preaching Cohort Grant
Bountiful Preaching Cohorts are small communities of preachers gathered for nurture and learning to cultivate preaching practices that position pastors and and their congregations to bear a fruitful harvest in worship, work, and witness. Selected cohorts will embark upon a shared two-year journey, which includes self-directed formation and a preaching intensive workshop hosted by the Omaha Presbyterian Seminary Foundation.
Who may participate?
Ministers of word and sacrament, commissioned pastors, and congregational employees who regularly preach as a part of their role. All applicants must be employed by a congregation or commissioned by a presbytery to serve multiple congregations.
At least half of the participants must be from the PC(USA), and half from the OPSF service region.
What does a cohort receive?
Each cohort will receive up to $2,500/member towards cohort activities over a two-year period. All Bountiful Preaching participants are invited to Preaching with Compassion (October 5-8, 2026), with travel, lodging, and meals covered by OPSF. (Online onboarding will be provided to those unable to attend the October event.)
How does the grant work?
Participants may apply as part of a self-selected group or as an individual. The process:
- Check your calendar for October 5-8, 2026 for Preaching with Compassion (attendance recommended but not required)
- Pull together a group of 5-7 people with similar hopes and goals or apply as an individual and join a cohort as converging interests arise
- Each person completes this application
- Selection will take place before August 31
- Those who are able will gather at Preaching with Compassion to begin cohort formation
- OPSF staff will walk alongside each cohort in prepping their proposal for funding
- Selected cohorts must attend orientation. Annual reports regarding their activities, learnings, and expenses are also required.
What makes preaching ‘bountiful’?
Cohorts will engage in practices and activities which will inform their worship leadership and strengthen their spiritual, emotional, and practical capacity for ministry. Activities should encompass the following three areas: (1) pastoral nurture, (2) preaching skill development, and (3) amplified contextual awareness.
How do I apply?
Click here to apply. Applications are accepted through August 28 or until cohorts are filled.
Quick Answers
Do I have to have a plan for my cohort? No. This year OPSF is partnering with Bountiful Preaching Participants to craft proposals. We encourage you to reflect on your hopes for a cohort before applying.
How do I pull people together if I want to form a group? Consider like peers — similar congregation sizes or settings, ministry roles, phases in ministry, worship theologies, congregational identities (immigrant, new worshipping, etc.) Once you have a group of 5-7, make sure they know your group name or the names of the other group members and have all fill out an application. More than half of the total participants must be from the OPSF region and PC(USA). Cohorts with this balance will be given preference in acceptance.
I don’t know anyone else applying. How will I find my cohort? Individuals will have the opportunity to meet and identify common ground and goals at Preaching with Compassion (Denver, October 5-8). If you are unable to attend Preaching with Compassion, you’ll be invited to select into the cohorts which emerge from the event.
Can I invite someone to join but not form a full cohort? Yes. Each person should apply as an individual, and you may join the same cohort as the cohorts emerge.
Who do I talk with about further questions? OPSF President, Shelli Latham.