About the program
For Such a Time as This
Important information for prospective 2012 residency presbyteries/congregations and pastoral resident
Launched by the General Assembly Mission Council in Fall 2009, For Such a Time as This: A Small Church Residency—Growing Leaders, Growing Churches is a timely and innovative program that pairs small, underserved congregations with recent seminary graduates in a two-year pastoral residency relationship. The program was designed to renew the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) by equipping new pastors to grow small churches Deep and Wide in evangelism, discipleship, servanthood and diversity.
While For Such a Time as This was originally conceived as a four year pilot program (2010-2013) representing two residency classes, funded in large part by an anonymous foundation, the GAMC is committed to the program’s continuation.
During the program’s first two classes, 16 pastoral residents were recruited and placed in residency congregations. While resourcing those residents and their presbyteries, the residency staff team is developing a plan for the program’s long-term sustainability.
In order to allow a longer timeline for presbyteries to identify small, underserved congregations with good potential for growth that would make healthy learning settings for a first call pastor, the application deadline for residency presbyteries has been moved from mid-December to January 31, 2012.
In our revised selection and recruitment timeline, prospective residency presbyteries and congregations will have the benefit of additional time to prepare their applications:
January 3, 2012
Applications for pastoral resident candidates available
January 31, 2012
Applications from presbyteries due
March 31, 2012
Applications for pastoral resident candidates due
Summer of 2012
Residents placed
August 20-24, 2012
Class of 2012 Orientation/Class of 2011 Midpoint Event in Louisville
Watch this site for more information and application forms. Contact residency@pcusa.org with questions and inquiries.
Important Information for Pastoral Resident Applicants
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 Deep & Wide while you in grow in pastoral wisdom, knowledge and experience?
If so, then the Office of Vocation of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has such an opportunity for you. Applications are open to pastoral candidates seeking their first call — and who have been certified by their presbytery ready to receive a call — for the pastoral residency program, For Such a Time as This. This program seeks to pair 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.
Presbyteries have been chosen to participate in the class of 2011, with two to three residency churches in each presbytery cluster. 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 in that presbytery to engage together in activities of spiritual practice, to explore elements of the practice of ministry, and to review a case study presented by one of the pastoral residents. During the two-year residency, there will be three national gatherings in Louisville, paid for by a grant through the Office of Vocation, which will include pastoral residents, pastor/mentors and a representative from the presbyteries.
Pastoral residents will be ordained as 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 the Board of Pensions Seminary Debt Reduction Program.
Pastoral Resident Application Materials
Download further information for prospective pastoral residents
Download a pastoral resident application form
Download a pastoral resident recommendation form
If you have questions, contact Dosie Powell by email or at (800) 728-7228, x5503.
Presbytery Site Partners Information
Download further information for prospective residency presbyteries
Download further information for prospective residency congregations
Download a residency presbytery application form
Download further information for prospective pastor/mentors