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Rev. Drs. Tom Graves & Leighton Farrell Awarded Medallions of Merit in Celebration of TMF Institute
AUSTIN, TX – Dr. Tom Graves and Dr. Leighton Farrell (posthumous) were honored during The Texas Methodist Foundation’s third Medallion of Merit award ceremony held Nov. 21 at the historic Driskill Hotel in Austin. The Medallion of Merit is awarded to individuals whose dedicated service to the Foundation is considered extraordinary and who best exemplify the organization’s core values of servanthood, competence and integrity.
Drs. Graves and Farrell were honored for their service as members of the Foundation board along with their visionary leadership, guidance, and inspiration in the development of the TMF Institute for Clergy and Congregational Excellence (TMF Institute). Their influence can be seen in every pastor and congregation positively impacted by TMF Institute programs.
Dr. Graves served on the Foundation board from 1992 through 2001 and led one of the TMF Institute’s first clergy peer groups. In addition to a nine-year tenure on the Foundation board, Dr. Farrell served as board chair in 1997 and 1998. The example both men set as mentors to young pastors greatly influenced the direction of the Foundation in providing leadership resources and support to clergy.
These awards were presented during an evening of celebration that also recognized the impact of the work of the TMF Institute. Dr. Graves was in attendance along with numerous members of his family. Julie Yarbrough accepted the Medallion of Merit award on behalf of her late husband Dr. Farrell.
“We are excited about honoring and promoting the kind of leadership these two clergy represent – bold, visionary, courageous leadership – because we know it is key to growing vigorous, missional congregations. We are also excited about the impact our Institute is having on pastors, denominational leaders, and congregations across the jurisdiction and wanted to celebrate the positive outcomes we are seeing and the possibilities for strengthening more and more United Methodist leaders through Institute programs,” said Foundation President Tom Locke.
During the event, Dr William Enright, executive director of the Lake Institute on Faith and Giving, shared his thoughts on the philanthropic landscape and what motivates generous Christian givers to support programs like the TMF Institute, and how that support specifically benefits the Church.
“For some time now I’ve been asking myself what it is that makes TMF and the Institute for Clergy and Congregational Excellence so special … you provide donors with a venue in which they can risk making a difference in God’s world via their giving. And perhaps, most important of all, you unleash congregations from their self-centered preoccupation with the status quo as you challenge them to live not for themselves, but for the flourishing of God’s world in their own backyard,” Enright said.
The following morning, in conjunction with the Foundation’s fall board meeting, guests were invited to a presentation and discussion with Foundation Consultant Dr. Gil Rendle about challenges facing The United Methodist Church and the role of the TMF Institute in leading change in the Church. TMF Institute Senior Consultant Dr. Eric McKinney also shared his experience as both a previous participant and current facilitator of clergy peer groups during a concluding luncheon attended by TMF board members and guests.
To view photos from this event, click here.