Developing leaders for greater impact

Training those who have been called to ministry is a key part of pastoral development. There's no better place for that training to happen than from inside the local church. Because of a shifting landscape in educational opportunities, the local church’s place in this preparation has risen to match the importance of formal offerings.

We can help you prepare for your next season of ministry through a church residency program. We partner with local churches to provide a pathway for those who believe they are called to vocational ministry to clarify that call, engage in healthy leadership practices and receive the training necessary to be sent with humility and confidence.

Who are Converge Residencies for?
All of God’s people are commissioned to be used by God to their fullest potential. Some of those people are called by God to engage by way of vocational ministry. Examples include:

• A college or graduate school student connected to a Converge church.
• A soon-to-be graduate who desires to take the next step in their development.
• An individual who may be sensing God calling him/her to vocational ministry, but desires help in bridging the gap from their current profession.
• A current church leader who is feeling the call to church planting, but desires to see it up close and personal as they engage in the Spirit’s leading.

What is a Converge Residency?
A Resident will enter into a 1- or 2-year Residency agreement with a local Converge church. Converge will deliver one year’s worth of vocational training to the Resident through online videos, articles, books and Resident network interactions. Completion of the vocational training will result in an Advanced Certificate of Church Leadership from Converge.

• A Church will be expected to:
  • Provide a work space for the Resident.
  • If needed, provide a laptop or tablet for the Resident.
  • Provide leadership space for the Resident to create, initiate, and multiply a sustainable ministry initiative.
  • Pay for Resident to attend agreed upon Converge gatherings (district and/or national).
  • Pay for part of the Resident’s support raising training with Reliant.

• A Resident will be expected to:
  • Launch, sustain, grow and hand-off a ministry.
  • Engage in being coached and coaching others.
  • Experience leading and serving in multiple areas.
  • Be an active ministry participant in the local church.
  • Engage in the community either through a part-time job or volunteering.

There is an optional academic track (one course per term over two years) that, in conjunction with the vocational training, would result in a Master’s Degree in Church Planting.

How do residencies work?

• Each local church will have an onsite champion that will lead the coaching of the Resident(s)
• Residents will be expected to raise their own support in agreement with the local church’s decisions on time, salary and a Resident’s personal needs.
• Residents will come under the management and coaching of our ministry partner, Reliant, in their support raising efforts.
• Though a Resident will be classified as an employee of Reliant, the local church will be the leader in that relationship.
• Upon completion of the Residency, the Resident should not assume that employment with the local church is their next step.

Residency Vocational Training Overview
Upon completion of the Vocational Track, a Resident will receive an Advanced Certificate of Church Leadership from Converge. Breaks in the vocational training are built in (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Spring).

In addition to videos and articles that will be tied directly to specific topics, there will also be books that will be read throughout the year.

Self: Topics will include life maps, leadership and personality assessments, self-care rhythms and ministry calling.

Strategy: Topics will include biblical manhood and womanhood, biblical diversity, evangelism training, discipleship path, leadership roles, ministry philosophy and more.

Staff: Topics will include staff structures, staff care, conflict resolution and human resources.

Systems: Topics will include measuring metrics, database management, salary planning, pastoral leadership and more.

Synergy: Topics will include developing guiding statements (mission, vision, values), sermon series planning, maximizing moments (Christmas, Easter, baptisms, etc.), MAPing and more.

Structure: Topics will include organizational approaches, multisite or church planting, church governance and meetings with purpose.

Spaces: Topics will include first impressions, worship, children and youth ministries.

Finances: Topics will include developing a culture of generosity, budgeting practices and building a budget.