Entrust to Faithful Men
“and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.”
— 2 Timothy 2:2
Applications are accepted annually, beginning in the Fall
Typically 1 to 3 residents are accepted each year
Start Date:
1st Wednesday in June
Completion:
May 31st in the 2nd Year
Please contact us with questions or to begin the application process
The Pastoral Residency program is a two-year, postgraduate ministry training program for men who are planning on pursuing full time pastoral ministry.
Successful applicants will be gifted and motivated men who sense a call to serve in vocational Christian service. They will meet the qualifications outlined for church eldership as outlined in the New Testament: 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1: 7-9.
The program includes:
- Mentored Ministry to participate in pastoral ministry and develop as a preacher, teacher, and leader while being mentored by experienced pastors
- Ministry Training through seminars, workshops, and other equipping opportunities
Competency is developed in key areas of church life: Worship, Outreach, Relationship, and Discipleship.
Since 2006, more than 25 pastors have completed the Pastoral Residency program. See where the Lord has called them to serve.
Chris Spano
There’s an old adage that goes something like this: “More is caught than taught.” At least when it comes to pastoral ministry, this is true.
This is why Jesus chose the twelve, first and foremost, “so that they might be with him” (Mark 3:14).
And this is why Paul left Timothy, his young pastoral protege, with these parting words, “You…have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions and sufferings…Continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it” (2 Timothy 3:10 and 14).
Yes, I learned many necessary things in graduate school. Yes, I learned many necessary things at seminars, workshops, and conferences during my time as a pastoral resident. But these necessary things weren’t sufficient to prepare me for pastoral ministry.
The most valuable part of serving as a Pastoral Resident at College Church was being with members of the pastoral staff and elders as they ministered, and learning in hands-on ways to imitate their examples as they imitated Christ.
Does this mean I was prepared for every situation I’ve faced during the last seven years serving as a senior pastor? Absolutely not! But in God’s good providence, without my experience as a pastoral resident, I doubt I would’ve made it through the last nine years.
