Our Philosophy

The pastoral residency program is designed to give aspiring leaders exposure to church ministry through observation; education about church ministry through study; and experience in church ministry through service. We simply want to unveil regular, day-to-day ministerial life and provide men aspiring to be pastors with an ecclesiological and pastoral grid for doing the work of ministry. We hope that through our program leaders will gain more clarity about their gifting, heart’s passion, and the Lord’s direction for their lives.

The Details

  1. Complete the residency application and the residency interview.
  2. A commitment of time: an average of 12-15 hours/week
  3. Duration of residency: six months or one year

Redemption’s Role

  • We provide exposure, education, and experience. This will come in the form of spending significant and deliberate time with the lead pastor and elders, completing reading and writing assignments, and leading/participating in church ministry.
  • Our role is not to affirm “calling.” Though if our relationship with the resident were to continue to grow, we could take on that responsibility.
  • The residency is an internship and not an entry-level job at Redemption. There is no promise of future employment.
  • The lead pastor will provide feedback for all assignments.
  • At the end of the internship, the pastoral resident may continue to serve in a leadership role. We hold out the possibility of church leadership if the resident desires to continue serving.

The Work

EXPOSURE

  1. Work two days each week in the office to observe and engage with the lead pastor about his duties and matters related to the life of the church.
  2. Attend leadership meetings, elders’ meetings, retreats, and weekly prayer gatherings.
  3. Attend most ministry planning meetings.
  4. Attend special events: wedding rehearsals and weddings, funerals, etc.

EDUCATION

Read and then write a 3-page (double spaced, 12-point font) reflection paper on each of the following books. The lead pastor will read papers and discuss major themes with the resident. All books are provided at no cost by Redemption Church. An additional book may be assigned based on the resident’s prior education.

  1. The Message of the Church, Derek Tidball
  2. 9 Marks of a Healthy Church, Mark Dever
  3. Prayer, John Onwuchekwa
  4. Money, Possessions and Eternity, Randy Alcorn
  5. Finding Faithful Elders and Deacons, Thabiti Anyabwile
  6. When People are Big and God is Small, Ed Welch
  7. Evangelism, Mack Stiles
  8. Expositional Preaching, David Helm
  9. The Trellis and the Vine, Marshall and Payne
  10. The Deliberate Church, Mark Dever
  11. Church in the Making, Ben Arment
  12. Church in Hard Places, McConnelll & McKinley
  13. Church Planting Landmines, Tom Nebel

EXPERIENCE

Service

Serve to assist various ministries in the church on Sunday mornings.

Teaching

Co-lead a small group with the lead pastor, lead communion, preach a message, lead a prayer service, lead a Sunday morning service.

Leading

Lead one project.

To learn more, email Pastor Vergil Brown.