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Apply for the program – pastoral resident candidates
Are you ready for an adventure for God? Are you seeking a first call in which you will have a unique opportunity to grow Christ’s church while you in grow in pastoral wisdom, knowledge and experience?
If so, then the Office of Theology and Worship of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has such an opportunity for you. Residencies are open to pastoral candidates seeking their first call — and who have been certified by their presbytery as ready to receive a call. This program pairs small, under-served congregations with recent seminary graduates who are interested in answering God’s call to serve where there is need in the PC(USA), specifically in small membership congregations.
Our pastor is an answer to prayer. He is a major asset to not only our church but the whole community.
—Ted Martin, ruling elder, First Presbyterian Church, Holden, Mo.
Each pastoral resident will be assigned a pastor-mentor from the presbytery, who will regularly engage in one-on-one conversations with residents. Pastor-mentors will also meet monthly in cluster groups with other pastoral residents or new pastors in that presbytery to engage in spiritual practices, explore the practice of ministry, and review a case study presented by one of the pastoral residents. During the two-year residency, there will be three national gatherings underwritten by program funds, which will include pastoral residents, pastor-mentors and a representative from the presbyteries.
Pastoral residents will be ordained as teaching elders (ministers of the Word and Sacrament) in the PC(USA) as Designated Pastors. All positions are full-time, and will be compensated at presbytery minimum salaries. Pastoral residents will be enrolled in the PC(USA) Board of Pensions plan and may qualify for a seminary debt reduction program. For further information, contact us by email.
Questions? Contact us by email or see a list of frequently-asked questions.
