Welcome to Financial Health Initiative
Supporting Clergy Families in Building Financial Stability
Empowering clergy and their families with education, coaching, and direct support to overcome financial challenges, so they can continue their sacred mission of serving the Church with peace of mind.
Empowering Our Clergy Families for a Brighter Future
Discover Financial Health Initiative
FHI Program Director Fr. Stephen Vernak with his wife Mka. Anna.
“It is my prayer that the FHI program will help clergy couples steward their financial resources more effectively, and with a measure of hope as they strive to serve Christ and His Church.”
– Fr. Stephen Vernak
Who We Are
The Financial Health Initiative (FHI) was established to support clergy couples, their families, and the laity of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) in addressing the financial challenges that arise as they serve the Church.
What We Do
We provide a range of services to help clergy families:
- Education: Financial management and planning resources.
- Financial Coaching: Tailored support to address financial concerns.
- Direct Financial Support: Debt alleviation and retirement savings assistance.
- Scholarship Fund: Financial aid for the dependent children of OCA priests.
Why It’s Needed
“Clergy health and economic stability are perennial challenges facing our Church. Now, more than ever, it is crucial to renew our efforts to foster the physical, spiritual, and emotional health of our clergy so that our parishes and institutions will be guided by pastors who can fulfill the Apostolic work of the Church.”
– His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon
Empowering Our Clergy Families for a Brighter Future
Survey Highlights
Recent surveys highlight financial concerns clergy families are facing:
- Emergency Funds: 48% of clergy families could only sustain themselves for less than three months in an emergency.
- Savings: Over half report saving less than 5% of their monthly income.
- Standard of Living: 26% of priests and 28% of wives report living “below par” for their area.
- Financial Stress: 36% of priests and 58% of clergy wives worry about meeting living expenses.
Iconographer: Dmitry Shkolnik
Empowering Our Clergy Families for a Brighter Future
About Financial Health Initiative
The Financial Health Initiative is a dedicated program of the OCA Office of Pastoral Life. Our mission is to support clergy families with the financial tools and education they need to thrive as they serve the Church. By fostering financial health, we help ensure that our clergy can continue their sacred ministry without undue financial burden.
Events
Our Financial Health Initiative is rolling out in cohorts, starting in 2025. Here’s how to get involved:
Cohort 1
(Diocese-Selected)
Begins in May 2025
Cohort 2
(Open Applications)
Begins in May 2026
Cohort 3
(Open Applications)
Begins in May 2027
Cohort 4
(Open Applications)
Begins in May 2028
Resources
Explore valuable resources that can help clergy families take charge of their finances:
Lilly Endowment Grant
Educational Resources
