Our residency program is essentially a long onramp to church planting. It is intended for those who desire to plant somewhere in the Northwest, as well as for those who are strongly entertaining the idea.
Given the scope and gravity of this commitment, if you are interested in becoming a resident and would like to learn more, we encourage you to reach out to us via our contact page. Even if you are fairly uncertain and would like simply to have a conversation, we would love to hear from you. For now, here are a few details…
Residency Entails:
- Serving
Residents are formally called by the session of a local church to serve the body as an assistant pastor (or, if not ordained, as a staff member who is pursuing ordination). This commitment is normally 12-24 months long. - Equipping
Alongside serving the body, the primary intent of residency is to establish opportunities for developing the resident’s gifts and character. Time in the pulpit, leadership opportunities, and engagement in pastoral care are all fundamental priorities. Further, each resident will have a formal mentor to equip and coach them as they prepare to plant. - Preparing
Lord willing, residents will begin the initial stages of their church plant—deciding on a location, developing a vision, assembling a core group, fundraising, etc. We want not only to equip residents, but to give them to opportunity to make some headway in their planting endeavor.
Funding:
- Our Model
It is 3-pronged, with funds being supplied by the Network, the calling church, and the resident’s own support-raising efforts. - During the Residency
Over the life of a 2-year residency, the Network provides $40,000, which is paid out on a quarterly basis. The church calling the resident is expected to match the Network contribution, if not to exceed it. The resident will raise whatever remaining funds are required to meet their budget. - During the Plant
After residency, and upon the resident’s receiving a call to plant, the Network will issue a partnership-share of up to $80,000. The residency host church will not continue financial contributions directly to the planter or plant after the residency. As God provides, the host church will continue to support the work of planting through their contribution to the Network.
Requirements:
- Of course, a resident must be biblically qualified for the office (1 Tim. 3; Titus 1) and have a sense of call to plant a church.
- If not already ordained, we expect residents to be “ordination ready.” That is, by the time you start your residency, you should be ready to be examined for ordination by the Pacific Northwest Presbytery.
- A minimum of a “Provisional Recommendation” from MNA’s Church Planter Assessment Center.
- The ability and willingness to raise funds.
- A heart to be in the Northwest!
