Our distinctive ministry training methods and subject matter are taken from 1 Timothy 4:16 in Scripture: “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.”
Our underlying principle is that we are committed to preparing the called, rather than calling the prepared. Our selection process is an important discernment of those who have gifts imparted by God and affirmed by others.
Designed specifically with post-seminary graduates in mind, this experience immerses Residents in a local church for a two year period while they also participate in our vocational ministry training program MOMENTUM and a weekly peer group called *FOUNDATIONS.
The concentrated time spent immersed in a local church provides a breadth of exposure to a variety of ministry experiences and a depth of practice to sharpen skills for a more effective deployment into ministry.
Resident Tracks Available:
Most residents are placed at a campus of The Orchard, but we do partner with other local churches. Both full-time and Bi-Vocational Residencies are available. These are paid positions with participants required to raise half their annual salary in support. Applications are accepted from men with a committed call to pastoring, church planting or missions and from women with a committed call to be a missionary. A theological post-graduate degree is preferred but not required in all cases.
*FOUNDATIONS goes deeper into the pursuit of godly living alongside activities for track training, case studies, preaching and teaching skills and time with ministerial practitioners.
For more information or to apply, send us an email or contact Laura Eder, Director of The Orchard Network, at , or click a link below.
Learn More | Download Application (Word)
MOMENTUM is a Friday morning weekly training program that runs over a two year period, breaking for summer. It includes eight comprehensive modules that focus on our distinctives of Life, Skills and Doctrine. It is open to both men and women called to vocational ministry. There are required reading assignments and interactive presentations.
Check out some testimonies from previous MOMENTUM graduates.
We will begin MOMENTUM on August 31, 2018. For more information or to apply, contact the Director of Training, Arthur Kok at 847-852-2207 or click a link below.
Fall 2018 Information | Download Summary and Application (Word)
LEVERAGE is a 16 week training program intended to produce committed lay leaders through our Life, Skills and Doctrine distinctives. It is open to both men and women who desire to invest themselves more intentionally into ministry especially through the local church. There are some required reading assignments and interactive presentations.
Check out some testimonies from previous LEVERAGE graduates.
For more information or to apply, contact Laura Eder, Director of The Orchard Network, at , or click a link below.
General Information (One Page) | Program Summary | Download Application (Word)
SIGN UP