Navigating the call to ministry can be daunting. Whether you're just beginning to explore or feeling stuck in the process, we want to help you move forward on your journey toward fulfilling your calling in ministry.

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The Intentional Equipping Network is a pastoral residency program designed to prepare current and aspiring pastors and ministry leaders for effective and impactful ministry by providing practical training, experiential mentorship, and affordable education.

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How It All Works

Practical Training

Practical Training in Monthly Cohort Gatherings Led By Specialists in the Field

Experiential Mentorship

Experiential Mentoring From Seasoned Pastors Willing to Disciple You in the Ministry

Affordable Education

Affordable Education With Our Undergraduate Ministry Certificate

Ministry Opportunity

Clear Pathways for Aspiring Pastors and Ministry Leaders is Vital in Cultivating Opportunities in Ministry

  • Involves twelve monthly cohort gatherings that provide focused and practical training in developing essential core competencies.

    Includes assigned readings to help participants apply the concepts.

    Quarterly on-ramps will be offered throughout the year.

  • Designed to operate concurrently with a church's current residency program. Aspiring pastors and ministry leaders will engage in monthly meetings with their mentors to maintain accountability in spiritual disciplines and explore the practical application of the cohort's monthly topics.

    Mentoring pastors will offer residents essential feedback to help them develop and grow.

  • 8-week undergraduate courses will be offered on a rotating two-year cycle.

    For pastors and ministry leaders aiming to advance their education to graduate-level studies, we will aim to partner with another of our ministry collaborators.

  • Aspiring pastors who are participating in the residency will be placed in rotation for pulpit supply across the York Baptist Association.

    The Intentional Equipping Network also works to place aspiring pastors and ministry leaders who have successfully completed the residency into local ministry opportunities.

The Core Competencies That Shape Our Practical Training Cohorts

  • We envision healthy congregations that faithfully communicate the truth of God’s Word, rooted in faithful exegesis of Scripture and relevantly applied to the life of our congregation.

  • We envision healthy congregations that are strategic and intentional in their discipleship through the teaching of God’s Word, relational small group Bible studies, and intentional discipleship relationships.

  • We envision healthy congregations that joyfully exalt Christ above all, are selfless in their worship, rooted in Scripture, and anchored in sound doctrine.

  • We envision healthy congregations that are prayerfully dependent in all things, intentional in intercession, and intentional in fostering both corporate and personal prayer.

  • We envision healthy congregations that are outwardly focused and missionally driven to love their neighbors, share the gospel, and selflessly serve others both locally and throughout the world.

  • We envision healthy congregations that seek to fulfill their God-given mission through shared values and sacrificial love, working together in unity to achieve God’s preferred future for the church.

  • We envision healthy congregations that embrace and teach biblical conversion as a transformative process where individuals respond to the gospel by repenting from sin and trusting in Christ for salvation, resulting in a changed life that reflects faith and obedience to God.

  • We envision a healthy congregation where covenant membership—composed of regenerate members—is deeply valued. Members joyfully embrace their commitments as they encourage and uplift one another, demonstrate selfless love, bear one another's burdens, pursue biblical reconciliation in times of conflict, and faithfully live out the mission of the church together.

  • We envision healthy congregations that reflect God’s love and grace through radical generosity and faithful stewardship toward their community, other believers, and their commitment to engage the world with the gospel.

  • We envision healthy congregations that are led by exemplary pastors committed to shepherding Christ’s congregation well with maturity, awareness, integrity, humility, and faithfulness.

  • We envision healthy congregations committed to sound biblical theology, preserving the integrity of the church and safeguarding the gospel from corruption.

  • We envision healthy congregations that prioritize a gospel-centered approach in their decision-making, ministry priorities, and overall approach to ministry.

Affordable Education

  • Christian Theology: A survey course covering the essentials of the Christian faith.

  • Biblical Church Leadership: A survey course providing an introduction to the essentials of personal and congregational leadership.

  • Bible Exposition 1: An introduction to Bible exposition with an emphasis on the interpretation and proclamation of the biblical texts.

  • Bible Exposition 2: An introduction to the proclamation of expository messages focusing on communication and the presentation of sermons.

PARTICIPANTS WHO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THE PROGRAM WILL RECEIVE

  • VITAL MINISTRY RELATIONSHIPS

    Friendships among pastors and ministry leaders play a crucial role in providing support, encouragement, and understanding within the unique challenges of ministry. These relationships offer a safe space to share their joys, struggles, and doubts without fear of judgment. Through these friendships, pastors and ministry leaders can find renewed strength, inspiration, and a deeper sense of purpose in their calling.

  • RESIDENCY CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION

    Aspiring pastors and ministry leaders who attend a minimum of 10 cohort sessions, fulfill all necessary assignments, and complete the residency requirements with their mentor will be awarded a certificate of completion from the Intentionally Equipping Network. This certificate recognizes their dedication to professional development and readiness for effective ministry, endorsed by a network committed to intentional growth and equipping for service.

  • UNDERGRADUATE MINISTRY CERTIFICATE

    Prospective pastors who successfully complete all 8 courses with satisfactory grades will receive an Undergraduate Ministry Certificate from the Intentionally Equipping Network. This certificate signifies their comprehensive understanding of key ministry areas and their readiness for impactful pastoral service, endorsed by a network dedicated to intentional growth and equipping for ministry.

  • PATHWAYS TO MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES

    Establishing clear pathways for new pastors and ministry leaders is vital in cultivating opportunities for effectiveness in ministry. These pathways provide an onramp to ministry in which new ministers can navigate the complexities of responsibilities with greater clarity and purpose. Additionally, these pathways create opportunities for mentorship, education, and hands-on experience, ensuring that new pastors and ministry leaders are well-equipped for the challenges and joys of serving their congregations and communities.

What does participation in the program cost?

If you are an active member of a participating church within the York Baptist Association, the residency cohorts and mentorship are free. For all others, the cost is $150 per participant. This cost covers the price of books, meals, and seminar speakers.

The enrollment cost of the Undergraduate Ministry Certificate is $200 per course if you are an active member of a participating church within the York Baptist Association. For all other students, the enrollment cost is $400 per course. This does not include the cost of books.