How to Start a Ministry Residency Program at Your Church

A ministry residency isn’t a program you purchase. It’s a way of forming, equipping, and sending called people.

A multi-vocational pastor folds chairs Sunday night after a fellowship gathering at his church of 75 people. He knows them all by name, their stories, their families, and—for many—their walk with the Lord.

It reminds him of a few years back when he was in a ministry residency program at a larger church near his college, where he accepted the call to ministry.

He would clean up after large events, but more importantly, he remembered the investment of men in his life during that season where his faith and service to the Lord grew daily.

He wonders if that kind of program that formed him could also work in a church like his. They don’t have a large budget, but they have some young adults attending regularly who might be interested in more ministry opportunities.

When was the last time he asked if anyone was called to ministry in their church? Could a church his size successfully have a ministry residency?

What a ministry residency means for a normative church

A ministry residency isn’t a program you purchase. It’s a churchwide way of forming, equipping, and sending called people that any congregation can scale.

Studies from Lifeway Research reveal the need for ministry residencies in churches today:

• Only 30% of U.S. Protestant pastors say their church has specific methods for measuring discipleship.
• Half of pastors (52%) say they have an intentional plan for discipling individuals in their congregations and encouraging their spiritual growth.
• Many senior pastors began vocational ministry in a position other than senior pastor.

For a residency to thrive, it needs real responsibility and a clear start, finish, and expected outcomes. Consider how you will create a process that forms disciples but also gives guided authority to a ministry area. For many churches, that ministry area may be young adults.

Your church wants to reach young adults, but how do you get that going? Should you start a young adult service? Is your church currently a place young adults want to attend?

As a pastor, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and shut down at the list of things to do and ministry opportunities in front of you. That’s why you need a ministry residency.

In order to multiply the ministry, you need to focus on making disciples. We see this in the early church in Acts 6:1-7.

The apostles kept the main thing the main thing, and the church raised up qualified leaders to meet needs. This is discipleship in action, and your church can do this just like the early church did through a ministry residency.

Residency vs. internship

Internships test interest in ministry. Residencies develop identity for ministry.

Think of internships as a trial run, with limited authority and high supervision. Interns can be a great help in any church to accomplish tasks and see if the leaders are looking to take their next step in ministry.

They help with programs and sometimes with people. You may or may not choose to offer them a stipend from the ministry budget to accomplish their tasks.

A residency is a defined season in relationship with a mentor that blends theology, character, and hands-on leadership. It looks more like a seminary class, with practical applications instead of final exams.

“A residency is a defined season in relationship with a mentor that blends theology, character, and hands-on leadership.” — @PJ_Dunn

You’ll want to invest time with the leader on issues of theology alongside engaging with people and real-world application of those theological conversations. Offer a book reading schedule for the residency and then environments to apply that learning in action through ministry labs or equipping classes.

Steps to launch a ministry residency at any size church

So, this all sounds good, but how do we start? Remember you’re not purchasing a program; you’re making a disciple. Each resident or residency season might look different than the one before.

Your investment in this residency approach is a structured but relational form to determine who will make disciples. If you only see it as a program, you will quickly find it draining instead of energizing. Here are some key concepts to consider as next steps toward utilizing a residency model in your church.

1. Calling out the called

When’s the last time you asked someone if they were called to ministry? You might have done it as a sermon point, but an intentional ministry residency will succeed in a church culture where calling out the called happens often and naturally.

The invitation to ministry must be followed by next steps for those called to ministry. We want to offer those leaders next steps at our church, not send them away.

2. Ministry labs to make disciples

Ministry labs, equipping groups, or topical studies are all great ways to get your resident applying their theology in the local church. For example, your resident could evaluate, report, and deploy a strategy to reach and engage young adults.

Have them evaluate how young adult friendly your church is and then offer an action plan to reach young adults. The outcome of that plan could be to engage young adults in a lab or study to gather them and build momentum.

3. Develop leadership pipelines

Identify leaders now to be leaders tomorrow. Maybe you have a teacher who’s doing an amazing job with students. Do they know their next step could be a residency program?

Remember Jesus called the disciples to follow Him. As He developed the disciples, He then went further with three—Peter, James, and John—just as you can with your residency.

4. Build a sustainable pathway

Use four clearly named phases. 

• Explore (four to five weeks): Discern calling and desired outcomes. 
• Prepare (eight to12 weeks): Engage in theological conversations and research for ministry application. 
• Immerse (eight to 12 weeks): Delegate ministry ownership with coaching, developing labs or classes, and launching new initiatives. 
• Send (four to five weeks): Equip residents with next step opportunities to make disciples and apply what they’ve learned this semester. 

5. Resource and equip 

But where will we find the money to have a residency? Money follows mission. Don’t think of paying residents enough to live on but rather enough to show they’re appreciated. In our example of a multi-vocation pastor, the pastor is leading by example in this area.

Full-time pastors, you too can lead by example as you serve above and beyond a paycheck to advance the gospel. Consider offering high-value, low-cost benefits to residents—things like going to conferences, a budget for reaching young adults, a book/expense account, or even offering to pay for future seminary courses.

Value in a residency is not a paycheck; it’s time with a mentor who develops a leader into a disciple who multiplies the kingdom.

“Value in a ministry residency is not a paycheck; it’s time with a mentor who develops a leader into a disciple who multiplies the kingdom.” — @PJ_Dunn

Launch and relaunch

It’s OK to have a start and end date for a residency process, but don’t forget to start again. Create a repeatable, sustainable process for residents that also offers a fresh experience for repeat leaders.

Think about each semester being a focus on an area of theology, while also focusing on an area of ministry. This semester could be focused on reaching young adults through a catalytic event or conference, and next semester could focus on practical ways to engage young adults through serving your community.

Remember, you’re not making a program; you’re forming disciples. A ministry residency is doable in your church, and its effect could unlock your ability to reach and engage your community like never before.

This article was originally published by Lifeway Research and is reposted with permission. Read the original article at Lifeway Research: https://research.lifeway.com/2025/12/01/is-it-time-to-start-a-ministry-residency-at-your-church/

How to Start a Ministry Residency Program in Your Church

Many churches are asking whether it is time to start a ministry residency program or church internship program. The answer often depends less on church size and more on intentionality.

A ministry residency program is not simply an internship. It is a structured pathway for leadership development, discipleship, and multiplication within the local church. Churches that build intentional leadership pipelines position themselves for long term health and renewal.



According to Lifeway Research, only 52 percent of pastors say their church has an intentional discipleship plan, and even fewer have specific methods to measure discipleship progress. Leadership development often suffers when it is not structured. A ministry residency program provides clarity, mentorship, and accountability within the discipleship process.
Source: https://research.lifeway.com/2025/10/07/most-churches-rarely-evaluate-their-discipleship-strategies/

For many churches, starting a ministry intern program begins with three simple commitments:

• Identify potential leaders early
• Provide structured ministry labs or hands on learning
• Assign consistent pastoral mentorship

According to the United States Census Bureau, nearly half of adults ages 18 to 29 are unmarried. Many young adults are seeking purpose, mentorship, and vocational clarity. A ministry residency program gives young leaders a tangible pathway to explore calling within the local church.
Source: https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/families/marital.html

Churches that intentionally develop residents and interns often see:

• Stronger leadership pipelines
• Healthier staff transitions
• Greater discipleship depth
• Increased volunteer engagement

Before launching a residency program, churches should evaluate whether they have a clear discipleship pathway in place. Leadership development must flow from a healthy culture rather than replace it.
https://www.tfoministries.org/what-young-adults-look-for-in-a-church

Ultimately, starting a ministry residency program is not about filling staff gaps. It is about multiplying leaders for the mission of the church.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ministry Residency Programs

What is a ministry residency program?

A ministry residency program is a structured leadership development pathway within a church that provides mentorship, hands on ministry experience, and intentional discipleship for emerging leaders.

How do you start a ministry internship program at a church?

Churches can start a ministry internship program by defining clear objectives, selecting qualified mentors, outlining hands on ministry responsibilities, and establishing measurable discipleship outcomes.

Does a small church need a residency program?

Yes. Residency programs are not limited to large churches. Any church with intentional leadership development and pastoral mentorship can launch a scaled residency or intern model.