RESIDENCY

Church on Mill is a church family making disciples and helping churches for the worship and glory of God. Our residency program is one way our church family desires to be used by God to give emerging Christian leaders early, positive experience in local church ministry.

In the vast majority of cases, churches go as their leaders go; therefore, far from the periphery, training future pastors, missionaries, and ministry leaders is an essential duty of every local church. You see, godly leadership is the critical component in the health or lack of health in churches. Paul put it like this, “…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).

We seek to develop faithful men and women for gospel-centered ministry. The training of men and women for God-glorifying, self-sacrificing leadership must address not only rich biblical theology, but also ministry competency and godly character as well. We joyfully welcome new residents every August (and sometimes in January too) to help men and women grow in Christ-like character, Christ-like competence, and a Christ-centered grasp of the Bible.

We Send

Seminary Credit

One of the unique opportunities of a residency at Church on Mill is the availability to earn 12 hours of seminary credit over the course of two semesters. All residents will take the courses, but it is up to each individual to determine if they would like to enroll in Phoenix Seminary. Residents with a qualified undergraduate degree who apply to Phoenix Seminary will be able to knock out an entire year’s worth of seminary classes. Here are a few specifics:

  1. Students/Interns can take as much as 12 hours! The fall semester offers 6 hours and the spring 6 hours (two three hour classes each semester). Note that this is full-time master’s level credit equivalent to an entire full-time semester of seminary without having to go to the seminary campus or leave the local church.

  2. You can apply to Phoenix Seminary today here and also to be a resident at Church on Mill here.

Program Goals

Our residency program is designed to equip and launch gospel-centered pastors, missionaries, and ministry leaders for a lifetime of faithful ministry. The purpose is not to build our staff, but rather to train and release leaders for other churches. Through study, observation, mentoring, and participation, you’ll gain an inside look into vocational ministry. We seek to be a safe place to grow for God’s glory.

Specifics

Our church campus is located across the street from Arizona State University and in the middle of downtown Tempe, providing significant opportunities for various types of gospel work.

Residents commit to one year of serving roughly 29 hours per week as members of the Church on Mill staff. Residency provides an opportunity to grow in a specific calling to vocational ministry and more advanced mentoring. Residents grow theologically, in character, and in ministry competencies through a purposeful blend of reading, reflection, observation, mentoring, and ministry experience. Residents are compensated with free housing on the church campus, all utilities, and study materials.

While anyone considering any long-term ministry position may apply, we are particularly equipped to train Lead Pastors/Elders, Associate Pastors, Collegiate Leaders, and Missionaries.