Welcome to the Residency Program
We are honored that you’re exploring a year of deep discipleship, growth, and Kingdom service with Community Life Church. This isn’t just a program, it’s a commitment to discover your calling, stretch your faith, and serve God’s people with humility and courage.
We believe God works through ordinary faithfulness to bring extraordinary change. As a resident, you’ll be embedded in the life of the church, not just learning about ministry, but living it. You’ll grow through hands-on experience, intentional mentorship, and real responsibility in a thriving local church context.
We believe God changes lives through His people, and that includes you. As a resident at Community Life Church, you won’t just be watching ministry happen. You will be a part of it. And through your time here, we believe God will move in our church, in our communities, and in places you never expected.
We couldn’t be more excited about what this next year will hold. While we’re eager to see how God works through you, we are even more hopeful about what He will do in you. Our prayer is that your residency becomes a kind of “spiritual greenhouse”, where your roots go deep, your faith matures, and your unique calling starts to take shape.
We are honored to walk with you in this season. Let’s get to work.
What is the goal of the c|Life Residency Program?
c|Life Residency Program exists to develop the next generation of pastors and ministry leaders through hands-on experience, intentional discipleship, and spiritual formation. Our goal is to help residents discover their calling, grow in character and competency, and be equipped for the ministry.
Is this just a glorified internship?
No. While c|Life does offer internship opportunities, the residency is something deeper. This is not about doing coffee runs or shadowing ministry from the sidelines. It’s about ownership. Residents are given real responsibilities, real leadership, and real development. This is an immersive experience designed to shape your theology, sharpen your ministry skills, and stretch your faith. You won’t just serve in ministry, you’ll be formed by it.
Who should apply?
The residency is for men and women who sense a calling to full-time ministry and are ready to go all in. We’re looking for humble, hungry, and teachable leaders who want to be formed, not just hired. You don’t need to have all the answers, but you do need to have a heart fully surrendered to Jesus and a willingness to serve wherever He leads. Whether you’re fresh out of college, shifting careers, or simply stepping out in obedience, if you’re serious about growing in character, theology, and ministry skill, this is for you.
What is the culture of the Residency Program?
The culture of our residency program is rooted in relational discipleship, spiritual formation, and hands-on ministry. We’re not building employees, we’re raising up pastors and leaders. That means you’ll be known, challenged, encouraged, and held accountable. We value authenticity over performance, obedience over ambition, and growth over perfection. You’ll be surrounded by people who care more about who you’re becoming than what you’re producing, and you’ll be invited to join the mission of connecting people to God and one another across our campuses and communities.
How long is the Residency Program?
The c|Life Residency program is a one-year commitment, with the potential of renewing for up to three years. Each year builds on the last, offering increasing levels of responsibility, leadership, and formation. Year One focuses on spiritual rhythms and foundational ministry experience. Year Two emphasizes leadership and theological depth. Year Three is about multiplying what you’ve learned and leading with vision. Residents can complete one, two, or all three years, depending on calling, capacity, and fit.
What does this Residency Program entail?
The c|Life Residency program is a full-time, immersive ministry experience designed to develop the next generation of Kingdom leaders. Residents are placed in a specific ministry track, such as Worship, Youth, Groups, Campus Leadership, or Creative, and serve weekly in real roles with real responsibility. They are mentored by staff, equipped through monthly masterclasses and ministry labs, and shaped through intentional spiritual formation. Residents don’t just observe ministry, they do it. And along the way, they grow in character, competency, and clarity about their calling
What do I get out of this program?
You’ll get more than just experience, you’ll get formation. Over the course of the year, you’ll gain hands-on ministry skills, theological training, and personal mentorship from experienced leaders. You’ll receive weekly coaching, participate in real ministry environments, and join a community that is serious about your spiritual growth. Most importantly, you’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of who God is, who He made you to be, and where He may be calling you next.
When do I start and finish?
The 2025–2026 Residency kicks off the week of October 1, 2025, and runs through the end of September 2026. In future years, the program will follow a more traditional academic calendar, beginning in August or September and concluding in the summer. Each resident commits to one year at a time, with the option to renew for a second or third year depending on fit, growth, and calling.
How many hours a week will be required?
The residency is a full-time commitment, typically 35 to 40 hours per week. You’ll spend time in your ministry track, receive mentoring, attend staff meetings, and participate in monthly masterclasses or ministry labs. Some weeks will be heavier depending on the church calendar, but we’ll help you find a sustainable rhythm that includes rest, reflection, and growth.
How do I get started?
Step one is filling out the online application and selecting your desired ministry track. We’ll ask for basic info, your testimony, a few short answers, and for you to take the Culture Index survey. After that, selected applicants will move on to Tier Two, which includes interviews, references, and a final review by our executive team. If you’re sensing the nudge, don’t wait. Apply now and let’s discern together if this is your next step.
Application Overview
Thank you for your interest in the c|Life Pastoral Residency Program. This application is the first step in a two-tiered process designed to help us discern if this is the right season and setting for your growth and calling.
In this first tier, you’ll share your basic information, testimony, ministry interests, and take a brief survey (Culture Index) that helps us understand how you’re wired. You’ll also choose a ministry track that best aligns with your calling. If selected to move forward, you’ll be invited to Tier Two, which includes interviews, references, and final approval from our executive team.
Please take your time, be thoughtful, and don’t feel pressure to have it all figured out. We’re looking for humble, teachable, kingdom-minded leaders, not finished products.