PASTORAL RESIDENCY PROGRAM

PURPOSE

The Pastoral Residency Program exists to glorify God by identifying, training, testing, and affirming individuals in a local church context in order to develop the next generation of pastors, missionaries, and church-planters.

 

VISION

The residency program is a part of our long-term multiplying strategy to perpetuate the message and ministry of the Gospel throughout the world via local churches.

PROCESS

This residency is not an internship. Rather it is a highly intentional 1-2 year program where those with ministry ambitions (pastor, church-planter, missionary, etc.) can gain training, local church experience, and ministry leadership development. Residents are expected to participate for two years and expected to do weekly reading and writing assignments, attend the weekly training meetings, as well as fulfill all the membership requirements and expectations for LBC.

 

At the end of your residency, the pastors will make recommendations regarding your next steps:

  1. Pursue pastoral ministry (church-planting, foreign missions, or local church pastor).

  2. Pursue further education and training for ministry.

  3. Pursue non-pastoral work.

The pastoral team has the freedom to extend the residency beyond two years if it is deemed advantageous to LBC and/or the individual.

OPTIONS

In order to be accessible to members who may have full-time jobs or other responsibilities, there are three levels to the Residency program. Each level comes with increased expectations and responsibilities. The only option for being a paid staff member is through level 3. 

LEVEL 1

  • Attend weekly meeting and do all assigned readings/assignments 

  • Serve on a weekly ministry team

  • Attend Member’s Meetings and other trainings as assigned/available

 LEVEL 2 

Same as Level 1 plus:

  • Give 5-10 hours a week assisting the pastors and church staff

  • Additional reading as assigned by the pastors

  • Attend weekly pastoral meeting

  • May attend weekly staff meeting if available

  • Participate in leadership development opportunities

 LEVEL 3

Same as Level 2 plus:

  • Full-time staff member at LBC

  • Engage in assigned ministry leadership responsibilities

OBJECTIVES

Since each individual’s personal needs, experience, and ministry desires will be different, each internship experience will be unique. However, the overarching objectives addressed in this training are in these terms:

  • Nurturing Godly Character

  • Strengthening Theological Conviction

  • Developing Ministry Competence

  • Demonstrating Pastoral Care

These four objectives are further divided into 8 key learning areas, as shown in the table below.