Pastoral Residents
The Pastoral Residency Program at the Concord Baptist Church of Christ is an intentional effort to nurture the next generation of pastors for the North American Church. In partnership with the Lilly Endowment, Concord created a two-year residency model program designed to help recent seminary graduates transition from seminary to their first congregational call.
The Rev. Wendell H. Paris, Jr.
Class of 2006
University Chaplain, Florida Memorial University
The program focuses on the development and nurture of “pastoral vocation” and immerses the residents in the depths of congregational life.
They learn who they are as pastors and learn what it means to lead in love as pastor among people in a supportive environment.
We stress the development of healthy pastoral practices, strong competencies, healthy habits and self-knowledge — all things that support long, effective pastoral ministries.
Program Design
The Rev. Bernadine Ladson
Class of 2005
Interim Pastor of the Olivet Baptist Church of Valley Stream
2005-2006
The core curriculum – extending throughout the two-year residency – includes guided study, discussion, practice and reflection on worship, leadership, pastoral discernment, pastoral practices, immersion in congregational life and immersion in pastoral theology and reflection. Each Resident engages in the full range of pastoral leadership throughout his/her time, and has the opportunity to explore specific areas of interests for depth; to initiate new ministries based upon their skills and gifts and to work to have those ministries established beyond their time at Concord.
Transition into Ministry
(L-R)
Rev. Semaj Vanzant, Sr., Min. K. Monet Rice, Rev. Morine Bowen, Rev. Samuel Phillips III,
and Rev. Al Williams
Optional Six Months Residency
Extension:This optional extension provides a Resident additional time to remain formally engaged in the life of the congregation after the two years for the purposes of focusing on ministry areas where additional learning is needed/desired.
The Rev. Jeffery Thompson
Class of 2005
Pastor, Amity Baptist Church
Jamaica, New York
Rev. Alfred Williams
Class of 2010
Minister K. Monet Rice
Class of 2010
Applications may be obtained for Concord’s Pastoral Residency Program by contacting the Rev. Emma Jordan-Simpson, Program Administrator, via email at ejs.concordchurch@verizon.net or by calling 718.622.1818
