RESIDENCY

GET EQUIPPED FOR MINISTRY

At Christ Fellowship Eastside, we believe in multiplying disciples to the glory of God. One of the ways we seek to multiply disciples is by investing in leaders who will raise up the next generation of disciples and plant the next generation of churches across the Upstate, South Carolina, North America, and around the world.

One of the methods we use to facilitate this training is our residency pipeline. Our residencies work in two major phases.

Phase One: Practice

In phase one, we focus on practical ministry skills, leadership capabilities, and a broad range of training. It breaks down over the course of three trimesters across the spring, summer, and fall. During each trimester, you will receive

Mentor Assignment: get paired with a ministry leader who will serve as your mentor through phase one.
Ministry Assignment: get assigned to an area of key ministry responsibility throughout each trimester. Some potential options:
- Children's Ministry: assist our CFE Kids team by coordinating events, serving across all age groups, learning how to develop and enhance a safe and engaging children's ministry.
- Worship Leadership: assist our worship team by serving on the band, learning how to develop church liturgy, and preparing digital materials such as slides, tracks, and plans for services.
- Ministry Technology: assist our communications team by enhancing CFE's social media or web presence through copywriting, photography, videography, and/or advertising.
- Youth Ministry: assist our CFE Youth team by leading a small group during youth nights, directing games, and investing in the lives of teenagers.
- City Mission: assist our pastors by developing and implementing strategic outreach in our community and developing lasting inroads for the gospel in the Eastside area.
- Church Resources: assist our pastors by developing and deploying resources such as small group study material, curriculum, philosophy statements, and devotionals.
Cohort Trainings: receive bi-weekly training from pastors of Christ Fellowship Eastside and other practitioners on aspects of church and ministry leadership.
Practical Reading and Writing: complete several books and write short position papers. Contribute to resources that will be used in the church or deployed by other ministry leaders.
Discipleship Practice: get assigned to assist in a small group, youth group, or other discipleship environment for the purposes of intentionally discipling others and receiving feedback on your progress.
Evangelistic Outreach: engage in a monthly self-directed outreach activity intended to foster authentic connections with the lost and gospel conversations.

Outcome for Phase One: Does the resident desire to pursue ongoing ministry in a similar context? Do the residency leaders discern that the resident has the ability to multiply disciples and a strong aptitude toward ministry? If yes, we will extend an invitation to continue to the second phase of residency.

Phase Two: Refinement

In phase two, we focus on advanced ministry skills, teaching practice, and a focused set of ministry experiences. The second phase also breaks down over the course of three trimesters across the spring, summer, and fall. During each trimester, you will continue your practices from phase one but will develop core skills via a set of four practicums:

Teaching Practicum: You will receive training from the pastors of CFE on how to teach and preach the Bible. You will preach one Sunday morning sermon and/or teach several other Bible lessons in appropriate settings. You will receive evaluation and feedback from the pastors of CFE.
Counseling Practicum: You will receive training on how to address an array of common counseling scenarios and will practice with one of the pastors.
Pastoral Practicum: You will sit in on select elder meetings and staff meetings. You will be trained how to baptize and administer the Lord's Supper.
Finance Practicum: You will receive training on basic church finance practices and get insights on church budgeting and financial controls. You will develop a year-one budget for a church plant as well as a fundraising plan.

Outcome for Phase Two: Does the resident desire to pursue pastoral ministry (also, what kind of pastoral ministry and where)? Do the residency leaders discern that the resident has potential gifting for pastoral ministry? If yes, we will extend an invitation to prepare for formal ministry preparation. Other residents who show aptitude for non-pastoral ministry will receive guidance toward appropriate outlets for their gifts.

Expectations

The resident will pursue the following commitments throughout the duration of each phase of their residency:

Faithful Christian Living: Regular practices of Christian disciplines, avoiding sin, living in harmony with the church, and walking in wisdom toward all.
Weekly Church Commitments: Unless Providentially hindered, attending church every Sunday, serving every Sunday, coming early, staying late, participating in a small group and family nights, and attending cohort meetings.
Mentorship Meetings: Maintaining scheduled meetings with a designated mentor on a bi-weekly basis throughout your residency tenure.
Self-motivated Aspiration: Looking for needs and meeting them, not waiting on others to fix problems, and exploring ministry opportunities with a desire for creativity.

Benefits

Christ Fellowship Eastside will provide the following benefits to our residents:

Ministry Training: We will provide practical skills-based training that begins across a wide variety of ministry areas and culminates in specific pastoral preparation.
Resources: We will provide a number of free books for the assigned reading and writing projects throughout the residency.
Stipend: We will provide a small financial stipend to cover gas and ministry costs for each resident.
Fundraising: We will open the ability for residents to raise funds to cover additional costs during their residency terms with us.
Placement: We will work with all successful second-phase residents on ministry placement, networking, and coaching.