Church Residency
Our Vision for Partnership
The church needs the seminary, and the seminary needs the church. At Dallas Theological Seminary, we believe effective theological education combines biblical training, hands-on ministry, and meaningful mentorship. Our flexible church partnerships equip the next generation of servant-hearted leaders through opportunities to mentor students, host ministry residents, or support members of your congregation pursuing seminary education. Together, we can develop leaders equipped to serve the church.
Partnership Opportunities
Your church’s goals will help guide which opportunities we explore together. Alongside developing a residency, we can consider ways to support your residents’ studies, build on the training your church already provides, and offer learning opportunities for your congregation. The options below are just a starting point for that conversation; availability and requirements vary by program and partnership.
Prepare Pastors Through the Life of Your Church
Just as teaching hospitals help doctors develop through supervised practice, so your church can help emerging pastors grow through the daily responsibilities of ministry. A pastoral residency brings study, service, and mentorship together,giving residents room to develop their preaching, leadership, administrative skills, and godly character alongside experienced pastors.
Six Essentials of a Pastoral Residency
At North Metro Church, we deeply value our partnership with Dallas Theological Seminary. Over the past several years, our church body has been immensely blessed by the ways DTS has come alongside us in equipping people for deeper biblical understanding and ministry leadership.
We launched our first residency program with three residents. Our partnership with DTS gives us confidence that these emerging ministry leaders are receiving a gold-standard seminary education while gaining invaluable, hands-on ministry experience at North Metro Church.
The impact of seminary education reaches far beyond those formally enrolled at DTS—it makes rich theological and biblical training accessible to people in our church who may never have considered attending seminary themselves.
Rebecca Ross, North Metro Church
A Partnership Built Together
We walk with you through a clear, intuitive process to explore how a church residency partnership can serve your church and equip emerging leaders.
1. Start with a Conversation
A church residency partnership begins with a conversation. A DTS representative will learn more about your church, your ministry context, and the leaders you hope to equip.
2. Explore a Partnership Model
Every church is different, so every partnership will look different. The vice president of education and the vice president of enrollment will work with your church to understand your needs, identify opportunities for collaboration, and explore how theological education, ministry experience, and mentorship can come together to equip emerging leaders.
3. Build the Partnership
Once we identify a partnership approach that fits your church’s goals, DTS will work with you to draft a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that establishes clear expectations and next steps. Together, we’ll define the elements of the partnership, clarify responsibilities, and create a framework that supports the ongoing development of ministry leaders.
Let's Partner Together!
Michael Balbier
Dean of Distance Education and Church Partnerships
Get Started
Are you ready for the journey? Join 2,600 students and a global network of 16,000 alumni serving around the world. Your calling is our mission.
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