In 2004, the Lilly Endowment Foundation bestowed one of several Making Connections grants to Wesley Theological Seminary. The intent of the initiative is to help connect the seminary to congregations and conferences that make up the United Methodist Church.

Through the Making Connections Initiative we are focusing on four areas: Small Membership Church Leadership, Transitions into Ministry, Urban Ministry and Worship in the 21st Century. The purpose of the Making Connections Initiative is to promote ongoing patterns of partnership between the seminary and the church. The carrying out of this mission is being done through the recruiting, discerning, equipping and sustaining of disciple-making leadership for the emerging generation - for the revitalization of Christ's church and the transformation of the world.

The seminary is providing research, resources and theological expertise. It plays the role of a catalyst, offering itself as a venue where denominational stakeholders gather for extended conversation in order to stimulate new vision and effect systemic change within church structures.