About the Program

Teaching the Next Generation

Like doctors who train as residents in teaching hospitals after medical school, the next generation of priests need hands-on experience under the guidance of seasoned leaders. During a paid residency with full benefits, these new clergy will minister in a church while developing the tools to dynamically teach, preach, serve the community and lead God's people. After two to three years, they are sent out prepared to meet the demands of ministry today.

Teaching the Next Generation

Curacy Vs. Residency

As a ministry position, a residency is intentionally designed for learning and parish leadership development in a position that is tailored to the individual resident. While learning to preach and administer the sacraments are foundational parts of the role, other tasks are assigned according to the resident’s strengths and areas for growth.
The resident receives mentorship, book studies, debriefing and observation during participation in decision-making. Although all first cures include a great deal of learning by nature of the unique role of a priest, the residency is crafted to ensure learning is not just a byproduct of the position, but its aim.
Curacy Residency
Position
 A curacy is a position for a “junior priest.” Like the unpaid college intern at a business, they are typically given the grunt work no one else wants to take. The residency is a paid position crafted around the learning of the resident. It's empowering and intentionally growth-oriented.
Mentoring
 A curate receives mentorship through the course of typical meetings and to the extent that the curate pursues it. The resident receives consistent, thorough mentorship through regular meetings, discussions and debriefing, among other means.
Influence
 A curate has little authority or influence. The resident is invited to observe, question and participate in decision-making.
Path
 A curacy is a steppingstone. The residency is a launching point.
I couldn't tell you whether or not the residency helped me get this job. But what I can tell you for sure is that I would not have even thought of applying for this job if I hadn't gone through the residency.
The Rev. Caroline Osborne, associate rector at St. George's in Nashville, Tennessee

Program Benefits

Residencies attract the next generation of priests to churches and develop leaders emotionally, relationally, functionally and spiritually so they're ready to answer the demands of ministry today.

For Churches

  • Invest in and develop the next generation of leaders.
  • Attract young clergy with talents and spiritual gifts that strengthen your ministry team.
  • Expand community outreach with new staff and fresh ideas.
  • Send equipped leaders to bless other churches and make an eternal impact.

For Residents

  • Paid position with full benefits.
  • Goal-focused professional development.
  • Learn to manage day-to-day church operations.
  • Weekly preaching preparation and feedback.
  • Two-to-three-year program.

Want to Start a Program at Your Church?

Any church can start a residency program, but only churches within the Diocese of Central Florida can currently apply for funding. Watch the recorded Zoom meeting below to learn more. After viewing, if your church is interested in starting a residency program, please contact The Rev. Jonathan French using the link.

Learn More - Recorded Zoom Meeting Contact - The Rev. Jonathan French

Apply For Residency

Please reach out to the church directly to apply for residency.

Grace Episcopal Church
Contact
The Rev. Jonathan French
jonathan@graceocala.org
Church of the Messiah
Contact
The Rev. Tom Rutherford
tomrutherford@churchofthemessiah.com

Hear From Residents

It’s impossible for seminary to prepare you completely for all that day-to-day parish ministry entails. Residency has given me practical tools and the confidence to proclaim a message of hope—boldly—to the next generation. Anything less than that won't be sufficient to meet the challenges the church is facing.
The Rev. Daniel Pinell
What I discovered through the residency program was there were things I didn't know that I didn't know. By the time I left, I was comfortable in my own skin. I knew I was a priest.
The Rev. Caroline Osborne
How do you unite a vestry around what should be done? A lot of wisdom is needed to do that well, and in the residency program I get to see that and learn from the experience before doing it myself. If you go to a parish right out of seminary and have to do that all by yourself, good luck.
The Rev. Frans van Santen