The Center for Innovative Ministry Honors Ryan Althaus with Inaugural McCormick Prize for Innovation

04-06-2015

Althaus and Sweaty Sheep Ministries Win Top $5,000 Prize

The Center for Innovative Ministry recognizes Ryan Althaus, leader of Kentucky-based Sweaty Sheep Ministries with $5,000, as the first recipient of the McCormick Prize for Innovation. Sponsored by McCormick Theological Seminary of Chicago, in partnership with the Center for Innovative Ministry, the global award was established to raise the profile of innovation in ministry, as well as recognize and reward impactful innovations. Award entrants from 22 states and two countries submitted summaries of their initiatives, providing context for their ministry, its innovation and overall impact.

“These are very challenging times for the church,” said Thomas Dickelman, founder and director of The Center for Innovative Ministry. “The McCormick Prize for Innovation lifts up the dynamic and innovative ministries that, amidst those challenges, inspire us for today and give us hope for tomorrow."

Winning entrant Sweaty Sheep Ministries is a community rooted in endurance athletics, and as a ministry it bears the core belief that one’s faith journey is akin to an endurance race. Founded in 2010, Sweaty Sheep provides indoor and outdoor worship services, Bible studies, pre-race prayers, post-race parties, and mission trips, among many other community-driven activities.

“We’re incredibly honored to receive the first-ever McCormick Prize for Innovation,” said Sweaty Sheep Founder Ryan Althaus. “People often don’t know what to make of innovators, so it means a great deal to be acknowledged. And, the prize money will allow us to expand our reach to new communities.”

The standard for winning the McCormick Prize, is “impactful innovation.” Through its engaging initiatives, Sweaty Sheep has experienced significant growth the past two years. The church also created a program called runPossible, a mission partnering with local shelters to provide physical training, wellness/recovery based Bible studies, and mentoring to people experiencing homelessness.

“Churches have a long history of developing interest-based programs to attract people,” said Dickelman. “The innovation of Sweaty Sheep has been in developing an entire interest-based faith community, and then expanding it to include populations in need in new creative ways.”

Second and third place winners are also being presented with prizes. Jessica Winderweedle, Executive Director of The Feed Truck, based in central New Jersey, will be awarded $1,500 for her entry, a mobile food truck that serves locally-sourced, farm-to-fork breakfast fare at area events, particularly on college campuses. The truck is a revenue stream for a small church, creating meaningful work opportunities, and a unique connection between a local congregation and its broader community.

Third place winner Jason Chesnut will be awarded $500 for his submission “The Slate Project,” which asks the question, “What if we had a blank slate?” Based in Baltimore, Md., The Slate Project also lives as a growing community online. It was started by Chesnut and two other pastors from different denominations, reaching out to a post-denominational audience not bound by geography.

For more information, visit the Center of Innovative Ministry at www.centerforinnovativeministry.com/mccormick-prize 

About the Center for Innovative Ministry  

Founded in 2013, The Center for Innovative Ministry is a registered 501(c)3 not-for-profit ministry, located in Lake Bluff, Ill., dedicated to helping clergy and church leaders solve problems and create opportunities through innovative thinking and action. The center offers workshops, consultations, and online resources toward our goal of “Inspiring Solutions.” In addition, the Center will be developing an online database of McCormick Prize innovations, and works with church leaders starting new worshiping communities through its “Innovative Scholar” program.” For more information about the Center for Innovative Ministry, visit www.centerforinnovativeministry.com. 

About McCormick Theological Seminary  

McCormick is one of 12 schools related to the Presbyterian Church (USA) and is an accredited member of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) in the United States and Canada and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The seminary, located among the Hyde Park cluster of theological schools, including the University of Chicago, is affiliated with the Association of Chicago Theological Schools (ACTS). As one of the nation’s most respected seminaries, McCormick prepares women and men from all denominations and backgrounds for Christian ministry and service, advancing a model of education that is cross-cultural, urban, reformed and ecumenical.