A church planting resident is a person who is called to start a new church and has had little experience in ministry or church planting. The resident would be an ordained ministry associate, or minister of the Word in the Christian Reformed Church (CRC) or in the final steps toward ordination in the CRC. A residency is usually for twelve months and its primary purpose is to prepare the resident for church planting and development. A huge benefit to the calling/parent church is the thrill of envisioning and participating with the resident in the planting and birth of a new congregation.
A couple of prerequisites for a residency include a favorable Gallup Online Assessment and a favorable assessment from CRHM. Ordinarily a local church which is a fairly recent church plant serves as the calling/parent church.
Some common understandings are usually in place:
- The calling/parent church commits itself to supporting and encouraging the resident as he/she works among them
- The supervising pastor commits himself to mentoring and training the resident in the basics of CPD leadership;
- The Home Missions Regional Leader (HMRL) commits to resourcing the resident in the skills and research necessary, and in facilitating the performance appraisals;
- CRHM commits itself to partnering with possible financial assistance, consultation, and moral support of the person and the project;
- The resident commits himself/herself to learning/developing as a church planter, spiritual and professional growth throughout the time of residency, as well as developing and pastoring the new church for a minimum of three years following the residency. The resident also takes the lead in establishing a launch team for the new congregation, with consultation from the supervising pastor and HMRL.
How to Apply
