Tending: A Ministry of Learning
Excellence in Ministry Leadership
Enabled by a Pathways for Tomorrow Grant from Lilly Endowment, Inc.
About Tending
Tending is a program offering congregation-centered theological education via a lifelong learning approach — supporting the work of lay, multi-vocational and full-time ministers.
Resources: Tending will produce a wide range of resources to assist congregational leaders in their ministries. From finance, church administration, deacon ministry, to youth, children, worship and pastoral care ministries and more, Tending will provide practical, sound, theological education to enhance ministry. Many resources will be provided online, while others will involve in person opportunities. While Tending resources are non-credit, your acheivements will be tracked. BSK’s graduate theological certificates and degress also continue to be offered.
Leadership Tenders: Experienced and well-trained “Tenders” will be available to walk alongside congregations and their leaders to help understand your unique context and connect you with the most helpful Tending resources.
Collaboration: Tending is a collaborative effort, bringing together assets and insights from multiple partners: BSK Theological Seminary, Pacific School of Religion, Eden Theological Seminary, National Baptist Convention of America International, Inc., Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (as well as regional CBF orgs from Kentucky, Virginia and Florida/Caribbean), plus Good Faith Media, Tisby Media and Baptist News Global.
Support: Tending is made possible in part by a $7 million grant from the Lilly Endowment via their Pathways for Tomorrow initiative.
When will Tending begin producing resources?
We already are producing resources as part of our Flourish Center (these resources will be rolled into Tending by the end of 2026). New resources will continue to be added to the Flourish Center website until the new Tending website is ready, hopefully by late 2026.
How are decisions made about which resources to produce first?
The steering team for Tending consists of members from all the partners listed (see above), helping draw insight from a wide breadth of church types, including those from both the Black and White traditions.
We will also be engaging in research to seek insights directly from congregations and their leaders about the most pressing needs. Watch for opportunities to participate in this research.
What will access to Tending resources cost?
There will be options to purchase just one resource at a time, or to save by subscribing to the full collection. Watch for more information in 2026 about the options for joining the Tending program, either as a church or as an individual leader.
What will Leadership Tenders do?
Leadership Tenders are persons with deep experience and training in ministry, enlisted from a variety of backgrounds and contexts. Your Leadership Tender will assist in learning about your unique context and needs in order to best suggest the resources available via Tending and our partners. Watch for more information across 2026 about how to connect with a Leadership Tender.
Keep Up with Tending News
Subscribe to the BSK email newsletter to stay up to date on Tending program news and updates.
About BSK
BSK is an ATS accredited, diverse, ecumenical seminary.
We form daring faith leaders. From our innovative distance education program to our Flourish Center workshops and flexible certificates, BSK supports theological education for fulltime, part-time and lay ministry leaders.
BSK is best known for our work in the area of racial justice. Our Institute for Black Church Studies expands this work. Learn more about the Institure.
We also are strong proponents of women in ministry, including the pastorate. Learn more about the key focus areas of BSK.