Approved by the Synod in 2023, the Small Church Residency Program represents a bold investment in the future of smaller congregations and emerging pastoral leaders.
Approved by the Synod in 2023, the Small Church Residency Program represents a bold investment in the future of smaller congregations and emerging pastoral leaders. This three-year Designated Pastor initiative is designed to support “hard-to-call” congregations—communities that are ready for transformation but face challenges in securing long-term pastoral leadership. The program provides congregations with sustained pastoral leadership while creating a structured residency experience for new-to-ministry pastors. Residents and congregations participate together in intentional training on change management, discipleship, stewardship, evangelism, and community relations. Grounded in the belief that congregational vitality is possible, the program encourages churches to imagine new ways of embodying faithful, outward-looking ministry in today’s context.
For pastoral residents, the Small Church Residency offers a rich environment to grow into the role of the public theologian—leading congregations through adaptive change, building ministry teams, fostering community development, and navigating the complexities of 21st-century church dynamics. The residency offers both practical and formative experiences, equipping leaders with essential skills while also helping them discern vocational clarity around small-church ministry.
The initiative requires deep collaboration. Congregations commit to creating space for experimentation and learning, while residents commit to exploring innovative approaches to ministry that are sustainable and contextually grounded. Together, pastors and congregations will engage in new models of ministry, strengthening both the vitality of local churches and the Synod’s witness as a whole.
Although the program’s immediate goal is to provide pastoral leadership to underserved congregations, its broader vision lies in cultivating leaders who are prepared and inspired to serve faithfully in settings where creativity, resilience, and strong pastoral presence are essential. The Small Church Residency Program reflects the Synod’s commitment to reimagining ministry, supporting congregational vitality, and shaping leaders for the church of today and tomorrow.
Congregations participating in the program are eligible to receive a $20,000 annual grant for a three-year period, providing vital support for pastoral leadership and program development. It will be resourced and overseen by the Synod Leader in partnership with the Mid Council Resident for Programs, Leadership Development, and Administration. Each residency will undergo evaluation according to the timeline below. The entire initiative will be reevaluated in 2028 to assess outcomes and determine its continuation.
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