About the program
For Such a Time as This
Important information for prospective 2013 residency presbyteries/congregations and pastoral resident
Launched by the Presbyterian Mission Agency in fall 2009, For Such a Time as This was designed to renew and grow small churches and help them to become healthy, missional congregations. The program pairs small, underserved congregations in rural, small town, and urban settings with recent seminary graduates in a two-year pastoral-residency relationship, during which they are supported and guided by a cluster of pastor-mentors. Since For Such a Time as This began, 22 recent seminary graduates are serving 26 congregations in 10 presbyteries.
Watch this site for more information and application forms. Contact residency@pcusa.org with questions and inquiries.
Important Information for Pastoral Resident Applicants
Are you ready for an adventure for God? Are you seeking a first call in which you will have a unique opportunity to Grow Christ’s Church Deep & Wide while you in grow in pastoral wisdom, knowledge and experience?
If so, then the Office of Vocation of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has such an opportunity for you. Applications are open to pastoral candidates seeking their first call — and who have been certified by their presbytery ready to receive a call — for the pastoral residency program, For Such a Time as This. This program seeks to pair small, under-served congregations with recent seminary graduates who are interested in answering God’s call to serve where there is need in the PC(USA), specifically in small membership congregations.
Presbyteries have been chosen to participate in the class of 2011, with two to three residency churches in each presbytery cluster. Each pastoral resident will be assigned a pastor/mentor from the presbytery, who will regularly engage in one-on-one conversations with residents. Pastor/mentors will also meet monthly in cluster groups with other pastoral residents in that presbytery to engage together in activities of spiritual practice, to explore elements of the practice of ministry, and to review a case study presented by one of the pastoral residents. During the two-year residency, there will be three national gatherings in Louisville, paid for by a grant through the Office of Vocation, which will include pastoral residents, pastor/mentors and a representative from the presbyteries.
Pastoral residents will be ordained as ministers of the Word and Sacrament in the PC(USA) as Designated Pastors. All positions are full-time, and will be compensated at presbytery minimum salaries. Pastoral residents will be enrolled in the PC(USA) Board of Pensions plan and may qualify for the Board of Pensions Seminary Debt Reduction Program.
Presbytery Site Partners Information
Download further information and Preliminary Application for Prospective Residency Presbyteries
Download further information for Prospective Residency Congregations
Download Presbytery Application form
Pastoral Resident Application Materials
Download Pastoral Resident Application form
Download Recommendation for Pastoral Resident
Download Information for Prospective Pastoral Resident Candidates
Have questions? See Frequently Asked Questions
The Rev. Cindy Cushman
The Rev. Cindy Cushman serves the Office of Vocation as part-time coordinator for For Such a Time as This. As a small church pastor, presbyter, and administrator, Cindy brings extensive experience to her role in leading the team in support of this innovative program. Cindy may be contacted by telephone at (800) 728-7228, x5381, or by email.
