It is true that church residency programs are about development. Most individuals enter a church residency to grow in their spiritual gifts and be developed for ministry. Church staffs often do a fantastic job with those in their residency programs in developing them as leaders and either placing them in a ministry context within the church or sending them out to serve in ministry in a different location. During the development residents receive, it should be argued that those who go through a church residency program can also make an impact on their church staff and the ministries in which they serve.
If someone is entering a church residency, it is because someone has identified they have some acumen and gifting for ministry. They have spiritual gifts and talents and capabilities that need to be developed further, but that can also be used to make a difference during their residency term. Men and women enter their church residency with giftings in Evangelism, Discipleship, Teaching, Administration, Worship leading, and many more. While they are seeking to grow further in these giftings, they should also be asking, ‘Who will be better in these areas as a result of my gifting and my growth in these areas?’ The young man or woman that enters a church residency with a multiplication mindset has an opportunity not only to grow but to make a massive difference.
For example, consider the church resident gifted in evangelism. The church will identify this and give them the opportunity to develop this gifting further. However, many evangelists often operate as lone rangers. They share the Gospel all the time and love to do it. We cheer them on and celebrate their gifting of leading others to Christ. However, imagine if that church resident with evangelism giftings consistently asks the question, “Who is going to be sharing the Gospel because I am growing in my gifting of sharing the Gospel?” Now they will constantly be taking someone with them and encouraging that person to train others whenever they are ready to share on their own. A network of people trained in evangelism starts and now more people are hearing the good news than that one person could possibly have shared with on their own.
This same mindset can be applied to all aspects of church residency that people enter. A church leader overseas states, ‘If someone can do something 70 percent as well as me, I let them do it’. This leader has raised up many church planters who have raised up other leaders and there is a growing, thriving network of ministry leaders. The work of those in vocational ministry is to prepare the saints for doing the work of ministry. Church residents who consider how they can pass on what they are being taught and developed in, have the ability to make a huge difference in all the areas in which they are ministering: college campuses, student and kids’ ministry, worship ministry, etc.
2 Timothy 2:2 states, “and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.” There are four generations in this verse of passing on what has been entrusted to you. Church residents should start their residency considering who they are going to pass on what they are learning to and in so doing make a huge impact in their residency years.
-Josiah R. (International Church Planter)