Four Reasons to Start a Residency Program

Pastors and Apprentices of The Fount

Last month, I had the opportunity to talk with Jim Hayes, Lead Pastor at The Fount Church in Kansas City. We spoke specifically about their Residency Program (they call it “Apprenticeship”) and why it’s baked into their DNA as a church. He explained, “The reason we started residencies was because we wanted to simply be like Jesus in our ministry.”

I want this article to tell the story God is writing at The Fount and give him glory for the work he is doing in the life of their church. As you read this article, I hope you begin thinking of men in your own churches who exhibit gifts for ministry. Your Converge Heartland staff would love to help you implement a plan to develop and deploy such men, expanding the work of your church throughout the Heartland and beyond! 

Reason 1: Residencies follow Jesus’ model.

Even when he began to dream about planting The Fount, Pastor Hayes always wanted to start a Residency Program:  

“At the very start of our church plant, we intended to utilize a residency-type model. We didn’t call it a residency back then; we called it leadership development. Like Jesus, we wanted to spend intentional, quality time with certain guys to raise them up and send them out. That first year, we called out to some of our men within the plant, and we had about 15 guys who signed up.”

By the end of the first year, The Fount had intentionally spent time growing eight men in their church. However, as they followed God’s leading, they raised their expectations and specifically worked with men called into ministry. After two years, two men had made it through the entire process. These two men are currently elders at The Fount.

One of those men, Pastor John Reed, has since been given oversight of their Apprenticeship Program. As he and the elders work with their Apprentices, they focus on three areas they see in Jesus' disciple-making ministry: doctrine (head), devotion (heart), and duty (hands). These elders have diligently developed their Apprenticeship Program to include a vetting process, a system of development, and their own handbook (also available to other churches on Amazon). Four men are about to finish their first year in the program. God is truly at work at The Fount, and their future is bright.

Reason 2: Residencies provide hands-on ministry experience.

Pastor Hayes told me, “Apprenticeships (residencies) go where seminary cannot; they give you hands-on experience.” It’s not that residencies don’t focus on learning theology or how to preach, but they take a more holistic approach. 

This hands-on approach combines the three areas of focus we see Jesus use with his disciples. Pastor Hayes said, “The men serve alongside our elders in ministry by participating in preaching, praying with people, going on visits, helping with outreach events, writing papers, and responding to ministry case studies.” 

Reason 3: Residencies immensely help your church and your city.

Pastor Hayes’s passion for developing the next generation of leaders is contagious. He clearly feels a deep calling to develop men for ministry. As God allows, this will radically change not only The Fount’s trajectory but also their city’s trajectory. 

Pastor Hayes told me, “By investing in these four men over the next few years, we have the chance to impact The Fount and Kansas City, but more than that… There will be other ministries started and churches planted or revitalized. Man, it’s bigger than us.” He’s absolutely right! With these four men, there is potential for a couple of church plants and pastoral leaders among other local congregations.

Even now, these men are getting hands-on experience like the free Eye Clinic, an outreach event The Fount hosted in May. They are preparing to throw a block party for potentially hundreds or maybe even a thousand people.

Reason 4: Residencies help push the gospel forward in our cities and regions.

As I reflect on my conversation with Pastor Hayes, I can’t help but think about seeing gospel-centered churches bringing transformation to every Heartland community. How might we accomplish this?

First, we must be in prayer for laborers (Matt. 9:38). God is producing a harvest. Let me encourage you to pray like this for your own church, your city, and our region. 

Also, pray for the laborers being raised up at The Fount. Let’s start there, and then, as God leads, take up the mantle to develop the men God has given us. Along the way, maybe residencies will become a way for us to simply be like Jesus in raising up and sending out workers for the harvest. 

Be in prayer for The Fount as they look to bring gospel transformation to their city and beyond. If you are interested in starting a Residency Program or would like to know more, Pastor Hayes said you are welcome to reach out to him.