Why Residency?
Doctors leave medical school and go right to practice, right? Wrong. They head out to be mentored! They have their heads filled with incredible information, but need help in applying it. The same goes for pastors. We have great schools preparing awesome students for ministry, but the church has a role in this training process, too. Christ Wesleyan is committed to preparing the next generation of church leadership.
Why Christ Wesleyan?
Christ Wesleyan Church is the perfect place to do your residency! We’re in a rural environment in Central Pennsylvania, yet situated in the middle of everything (three hours from Philadelphia, D.C., New York City, and Pittsburgh). Our leadership team has longevity. Our Lead Pastor has been here his entire ministry – 35 years! Our previous Youth Pastor, Pastor Branden, was with us for 11 years! Our healthy, mission-focused congregation is the ideal place to begin your ministry.
Meet Our Lead Pastor
Serving with you, Arlie Davis, Lead Pastor
“…and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” – 2 Timothy 2:2
Residency Leadership

Current Resident
Past Residents
– Mia Harrington, Youth Director at Christ Wesleyan Church (Milton Campus)
– James McLean, Student Ministries Pastor at Christ-Centered Church

– Jared Dimmick, Production Coordinator & Youth Support at Harvest Church

– Luke Wilson, Youth Pastor at New Hope Wesleyan Church
Leadership Endorsements

– Dr. Wayne Schmidt, General Superintendent of the Wesleyan Church

– Dr. Jo Anne Lyon, General Superintendent Emeritus of The Wesleyan Church

– Dr. Jim Garlow, Pastor of Skyline Church
What does Residency look like?
Your residency experience develops you into a mature leader by focusing on these six elements:
- Ministry Experience – The purpose of the residency is to ensure that you have the leadership capacity and know-how to effectively and competently lead as a pastor. In order to do this, you need significant and real-life ministry experience.
- Leadership Coaching – Two times per month you and your resident coach will meet one on one for at least 45 minutes to discuss leadership. The purpose of the Leadership Coaching meeting is to ensure that you are growing in leadership competence during the residency.
- Personal Development – Personal Development focuses on who you are rather than what you do. Two times per month you and your coach meet one on one for at least 45 minutes for personal development. The purpose of this meeting is to ensure that you are growing both personally and as a Christian during the residency.
- Leadership Training Curriculum – The Leadership Training Curriculum is unpacked during a weekly training meeting and gives valuable insight into different types of leadership. The Leadership Training Curriculum covers self-leadership, relational leadership, and organizational leadership.
- Church Culture – Being part of a healthy team is contagious. You benefit from being invited into a staff and church culture that is thriving. Within this context, you pick up nuances and attitudes that separate healthy teams from other teams.
- Evaluations – The evaluation process provides feedback to you and to your coach and mentor about the residency and your readiness for pastoral ministry. The evaluation process includes weekly resident reports, monthly coach reports, as well as strategic evaluation meetings.
Application
Ready to take the next step for Residency at CWC? Submit an online application to get started.
Apply Now