Launching Your Own Pastoral Fellowship Program
Mentoring seminary grads toward a powerful future
According to Jon Rich, executive pastor at Christ Community Church in Leawood, Kan., pastoral fellowship programs require certain structures and commitments in order to survive:
- Leadership training: Pastors, staff and the congregation are committed to training leaders, especially the next generation of church leaders. Other programs and initiatives in the church already reflect this commitment.
- Resource engine: Pastoral fellowship programs are not cheap. Congregations have the financial, physical and personnel resources to support the program. Pastoral fellows receive adequate compensation as appreciation for their work.
- Willing staff and lay leaders: Staff and lay leaders routinely make time for intentional mentoring of pastoral fellows. They teach and yet remain teachable as fellows offer insights and wisdom.
Not every church will have the call or the capacity to create and sustain a pastoral fellowship program. If that’s the case, consider instead these creative approaches to training the next generation of pastors:
- Expand an internship: Many churches invite seminary students to participate in mentored ministry or internships. These churches can invite students to remain on staff after graduation for a predetermined amount of time. Stipends can become salaries as the church increases the responsibility and visibility of the young pastor.
- Fund an existing program elsewhere: As another missional enterprise, a local church can resource an existing pastoral fellowship program. Then, occasionally invite a fellow to preach, teach a brief seminar or work on a small project.
- Collaborate with other churches: Several churches can work together to develop a program. One church might host the program, pay the salaries and be the fellows’ home church. Other churches nearby might help fund the program, provide mentoring and training, and invite fellows to participate in small or short-term projects.
For more information on how to craft a pastoral fellowship program at your church, including details as to timelines and budgets, contact Jonathan Rich at Christ Community Church: jonr@ccefc.org or (913) 685-1161. You can also visit Christ Community Church's Pastoral Fellowship page.
Meryl Herr participated in the Pastoral Fellowship Program in 2007-2009 and now is a member of Hope Church in Springfield, Ill., where her husband is associate pastor.
