Christ Church Chicago prioritizes the training of men and women for gospel work. We do so by offering a Pastoral Residency Program and a paid Summer Internship for college-aged students.

1. Our two year Pastoral Residency Program is intended for those pursuing full-time pastoral ministry. Admittance into the Chicago Course on Preaching is a prerequisite for our Pastoral Residency position.

What is the Ministry Apprenticeship?

The church is primarily responsible for training her ministers and other full time Christian workers. Christ Church Chicago takes this responsibility seriously. As such, it offers the Ministry Apprenticeship as a means to training men and women to be of greater usefulness in fulfilling the mission of the church around the world. Specifically, it is a church-based training initiative that emphasizes exposition in an urban multi-cultural and university context. 

What are the schedule requirements?

The apprenticeship is structured around two internship tracks (the first is general in nature with a focus on exploration; the second is more pastoral, focusing on ministry preparation). Each have distinct requirements based on target audience and intended outcomes as listed in the constitution of Christ Church Chicago, BCO 16-6 through 16-15.

• Explore Track: the expected commitment is 5 hours per week from October to May.

• Prepare Track: the minimum commitment at this phase is 25 hours, much of which will be at the Chicago Course on Preaching (for the Chicago Course on Preaching visit simeontrust.org). The prepare track requires that the participant be enrolled in The Chicago Course on Preaching. A financial stipend and assistance on housing are offered.

Who should consider the Ministry Apprenticeship?

• Explore: Open to young men and women, but especially 2-4th year university undergraduate students.

• Prepare Track: Primarily reserved for a few men or women who share our theological and ecclesial convictions and who sense a call ministry and desire to train at a more intense level. Due to the time requirements this track is not available to university students.

For some, an application to “come under the care” of the Session will also be completed as part of their Apprenticeship. This is an essential first step toward possible licensure and ordination. And for those who do, the Session will begin overseeing their preparation and studies in Bible and Theology.

What will I be doing in the Apprenticeship?

There are four aspects of the apprenticeship for each track:[1]

• Bible - instruction in how to better read and teach the Bible in the church.

• Experience – varied and regular opportunities to participate in the service and worship of the church.

• Mentorship – regular personal interaction with pastors and elders as well as observing them in ministry.

• Reflection – gather weekly to discuss and engage with selected books relation to various aspects of ministry.

What are the intended outcomes?

• Exploration Track: to expose participants to the general life of the church and fundamental elements of church ministry so they may be more useful in the church as they gain clarity on whether they want to serve in vocational ministry.

• Preparation Track: to prepare participants to be skilled Bible teachers in the context of local church ministry, and ready for placement in vocational ministry.

What happens at the conclusion of the Apprenticeship?

After each year of the apprenticeship, participants will meet with their mentor to discuss next steps. For those completing the Exploration track, this may mean a recommendation to begin the Preparation track. For others, it may mean the completion of their apprenticeship. For those completing the Preparation track it is not our intention to provide a promised pathway to church planting, local church pastoring, international missions, or participation in a church-planting core. Those who have completed the Preparation track may apply to be “fellows” while seeking ministry placement. When they leave for placement they will be formally recognized and commissioned by the church body in a Sunday service.

[1] Track specific activities can be found in Appendix 1. Track specific reading lists are in Appendix 2.