The pastoral residency at University Baptist Church in Fayettville seeks to equip men for pastoral ministry within the context of the local church. Our goal is to give these men an “under-the-hood-look” at life and ministry in the church. Through study, reflection, observation, and participation, residents will gain knowledge and experience in areas of pastoral leadership, the theology of the church, church polity, the role of God’s Word in preaching and teaching, ministry in a local church context, and much more. The aim is simply to immerse residents in the regular, day-to-day rhythms of ministerial life and provide them with an ecclesiological and pastoral framework for serving God’s people in the local church.

Residents will engage in a number of different learning opportunities, including 1-on-1 discipling with our pastoral staff and elders, but the bulk of their time will be spent reading, writing, and observing. Residents will also have the opportunity to participate and lead out in various ministries, though no ministry will rest solely on their shoulders. Residents will also engage in a 9-month comprehensive course in biblical counseling training. Residents will have weekly assignments from books, articles, and other resources and will critically interact with these readings. Each week, residents will then discuss the readings, writing, and what they are observing in church life with pastoral staff. Additionally, residents will provide pastoral and administrative assistance, and attend weekly staff meetings and elder meetings every other week.

We offer the pastoral residency for up to six men, once a year. It lasts approximately 9 months, from August to May. The Fall semester runs from mid-August to mid-December and the Spring semester runs from January to mid-May.

During their time with us, residents will become members of UBC and are expected to affirm our Statement of Faith and Church Covenant. A modest monthly stipend for living and housing expenses will be provided, and personal copies of all books and required readings are provided for each resident.

Acceptance into and/or completion of the residency in no way implies our affirmation of your fitness for ministry, and future employment at University Baptist Church is not to be expected.

If you are interested in the pastoral residency at UBC, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Decisions about the fall class will be made in early June, so please submit your application no later than May 1 if you would like to be considered for the next year. The earlier you apply, the better for our planning as well as providing sufficient time for you to work out any logistics for your family.

If you have further quesitons, please see our FAQ page here or contact us below.