RESIDENCY PROGRAM
Alliance New England has several Pastoral Residencies available!
WHAT IS A RESIDENCY?
A Residency is an approach to develop aspiring pastors, providing a place where they can learn the art of pastoral ministry from inside of a healthy congregation and alongside a more experienced pastor. While most residents have been theologically and academically prepared for ministry by their education, their further development of leadership and ministry skills benefit greatly from hands-on experience and a close mentorship that can only come from inside a local church. Our goal is to enable new pastors to build skills and practices, both professional and personal, that will provide a foundation for fruitful and faithful service to the church in New England. Our pastoral residents participate in all aspects of congregational life, providing them experience in essential areas of pastoral leadership and the opportunity to better understand and utilize their unique skills and giftings for the Kingdom.
HOW DO WE TRAIN RESIDENTS?
Residents are immersed in the life of a local church, and over two years’ time, they will be involved in most aspects of the church’s leadership and ministry. The goal is to continue developing the resident’s preparation for ministry in a holistic manner, by growing core competencies, discovering and developing their gifts and talents, providing personalized mentored support, as well as opportunities for character development and practices that support spiritual, familial and relational health and well-being for a lifetime of ministry.
A framework is provided to plan and guide the resident’s time at the church with intentionality and flexibility. We understand that there is a predictable rhythm to church life that relates to things like the calendar, holidays, seasons and ministry schedules. The framework will help the church and the resident identify ways to intentionally plan for training and experiences that naturally fit into this rhythm. On the other hand, we are also aware that in ministry, things change. Opportunities, crises or changes in plans often arise at unexpected times. That is why the framework is intentionally flexible. There is not a two-year plan that you are asked to implement and follow from the start. We suggest the resident’s work be planned a quarter at a time, with some longer-range planning for the next six months. This allows for flexibility should circumstances change unexpectedly, yet provides some extended planning opportunity to ensure key growth areas are addressed within the two years. We do not want to arrive at the end of the two-year residency and find that important areas for growth were missed because they weren’t identified or planned for, and time ran out before you could fit them in. Alternately, we also recognize that two years is not adequate to fully prepare a resident for ministry. But it is enough time to develop them in areas that have been identified and prioritized.
IN WHAT KEY AREAS ARE RESIDENTS DEVELOPED?
Most residents will be working through ordination with the C&MA during their residency, and this will provide a focus on solidifying their theological training and developing their practical skills for ministry.
There are core competencies that should be developed in every pastor. Core competencies are the combination of skills, knowledge and experience that help pastors succeed in ministry. We have described these and included some of the practical skills that are a part of each core competency.
Hands-on experience will be gained as the resident works, serves and leads in many of the ministriesof the church, and it is through their work in these areas that their skills and competencies will be practiced and honed.
Each resident is unique in their spiritual gifts and calling. These are a focus for greater understanding, utilization and refinement.
Because all of life is ministry, there are also aspects of character development that should be considered in the residency experience. We want residents to go into the Kingdom ready to navigate the unique challenges that ministry can place on a pastor, their spouse and family.
HOW IS THE RESIDENCY PROGRAM STRUCTURED?
The Quarterly Planning Tool provides a space to plan out what the resident will be working on for the next 3 months. There is space to include:
Areas of Focus – What ministries will they be observing, working in, leading or even perhaps launching? What are some key ministry concepts or practical skills they will be developing?
Ordination – What trainings are coming up for them this quarter? What assignments are they responsible for (i.e. papers or reading)?
Character - Where do they need assistance in developing spiritual disciplines or have you picked up on areas that need development, such as humility or relational health?
There is space for up to 6 areas of focus per quarter. It is not required that there be 6 areas of focus in every quarter! This may seem like too much, but not when you keep in mind that in the beginning, many of the areas the Resident is merely observing, or participating in as a course of normal life (for example, living with Missional Intentionality includes getting to know the neighbors and the people in the community that they have just moved to). As the residency progresses, the resident will likely begin leading ministries and perhaps launching new ones. At this stage the number of focus areas will need to be fewer.
SAMPLE QUARTERLY PLAN:
WHAT HAPPENS AT THE END OF TWO YEARS?
While two years is not a magical number that guarantees a resident is ready to launch when reached, it is a good target to work towards. Most residents will be ready to launch in the 20- to 30-month range. Their completion of residency will need to be balanced with the opportunities available for placement within the district as well as circumstances at their greenhouse church. Planning ahead for the end of the residency and flexibility in the timing of transition will allow for the best possible outcome for the greenhouse church, the resident, their future ministry/church and the district.
Upon the completion of a residency, the goal is to place the resident within the New England district:
As a lead pastor or staff pastor of an established church
As a church planter
As a pastor for a new campus or new expression of an established church
The district will work closely with the greenhouse church, the resident and the churches that have openings to coordinate interviewing, candidating and placement for the best results possible.
DO RESIDENTS RECEIVE COMPENSATION AND/OR HOUSING?
Residencies are compensated positions and are funded by the Greenhouse Church, and the District. Residents will be asked to raise a portion of their compensation, and resources and training will be provided for this task.
Housing may be provided by the Greenhouse Church, the district, or a housing allowance will be provided for a resident to seek and secure their own housing.
HOW CAN I APPLY FOR RESIDENCY?
To be considered for a residency, please forward your resume and any accompanying materials to Shelley Moulton, Alliance New England or fill out the form below to be contacted.
SHELLEY MOULTON
Shelley has been with Alliance New England for 13+ years and is able to help you determine if a residency in New England is a fit for you . Contact Shelley at the District Office for more information on our residency program.