Growing Ministers
Planting Seeds
In 2021 the Ministry Resident Program launched at Truett Seminary with the intention of providing an experience that is part mentorship opportunity, part ministry internship. The design of the program connects some of Truett’s most gifted and motivated students with ministry opportunities in leading partner churches within the Truett Church Network (TCN). For students, the program offers invaluable practical experience and training to equip them better for the tasks of ministry in addition to providing opportunities for mentoring and gaining experience on a healthy church staff. The churches’ parallel experience allows them to incorporate the training of young ministers into their mission while also receiving an additional part-time staff member.
Over its short lifespan, the program has grown, with the promise of continued growth, as churches and students learn of the opportunity to serve in this capacity. More than 10 churches and ministries have joined the Ministry Resident Program with some engaging multiple residences at one time. Once a church sees the expertise that a Truett student brings to a role, it is eager to encourage and empower even more.
Deepening Roots
As each church or ministry in the Ministry Resident Program designs a residency, they do so in a way that best suits the particular needs of the church and the student’s gifting. Churches in the program may have students serve in particular roles such as preaching residents and youth ministers, or they may have more traditional resident roles in which they are introduced to many facets of ministry in a large church setting. In any case, residents experience ministry in its fullness. They see and feel the challenges in direct ways, but so too, do they have the joy of God’s work within their growing ministry.
As described in the Seminary’s mission statement, “George W. Truett Theological Seminary exists to equip God-called people for gospel ministry in and alongside Christ's Church by the power of the Holy Spirit.” The Ministry Resident Program attempts to achieve these aims as well, both in and alongside the Church. As an example of this, the expansion of the residency program has seen churches join together to provide a residency opportunity on Baylor University’s campus in service to the undergrad population. In the fall of 2023, there will be three residences housed in the Spiritual Life office, directly funded by churches and ministries. These “alongside the Church” positions seek to offer encounters with Jesus for students who may not otherwise attend church services.
Bearing Fruit
Just a few years into the program the hoped-for effect for students and churches is beginning to be revealed. First Baptist Church Temple, who in many ways was the church in which the program began, had their first resident, Hannah Brown, work through their two-year preaching residency. The results were tremendous, and she gained not only the theoretical knowledge of being on a preaching team but also preached on a regular basis. Her work went well beyond preaching though, as she provided deep pastoral care through crisis. In a residency designed for preaching instruction, it was these lessons of care that resonated most deeply. Brown describes her full experience as follows, “It helped me see people in a new way…what it means to really show up with people and be present with them.” Her work was so valued and instrumental to the ministry of the church that as her residency concluded, the church asked her to continue ministry as their full-time college pastor.
“Theory and practice are not the same thing. You have to sometimes think on the spot, and sometimes you are challenged. The awareness of what real ministry is and what perception I had coming into seminary, this residency opened my insight into that.”
Memory Jora
Memory Jora, another one of the first cohort of residents, served at Concord Missionary Baptist Church in Dallas. Jora credits the residency for the hands-on preparation she received that enabled her to serve in her new role in the college ministry at First Baptist Church Arlington. It was in her residency that Jora began to realize that “theory and practice are not the same thing. You have to sometimes think on the spot, and sometimes you are challenged. The awareness of what real ministry is and what perception I had coming into seminary, this residency opened my insight into that.” Jora’s mentor and supervisor Aaron Moore, equipping ministry pastor at Concord Missionary Baptist, had high praise for her work stating, “We’ve witnessed our church turn scholars into shepherds.”
Future Harvests
In Matthew 9:37-38 Jesus tells his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few; therefore, ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.” These words ring ever true in the modern age. As one looks to the future of residencies, into the future of the Church, and into the future of Christ’s work on earth, it is easy to say, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” Rather than despair at this sentiment, Truett Seminary continues to seek out the called, educate and empower “workers” for success in ministry, and to see the fruit of their labor born through the generations. The Ministry Resident Program seeks to expand its reach for churches interested in mentoring this generation’s spiritual leaders and recognizes the importance of calling out the called. Two years ago, three churches set out to invest in these leaders, and now more than 10 will continue this good work.