Leadership Development
Developing the next generation of Christian Leaders.
Residency
An immersive ministry experience where Personal Development, Theological Education, and Supervised Ministry intersect in the context of a Gospel-centered, local church.
Ministry Residents will have the opportunity to explore God’s call on their life in an intentional, immersive environment over a 2-year period. Forest Hills staff will invest in each resident in three primary areas: Personal Development, Theological Education, and Supervised Ministry.
Personal Development
Through individual and group settings, residents will be challenged and nurtured in their spiritual formation and leadership development. Residents will set personal goals to meet through the duration of the residency.
Theological Education
As a part of the Ministry Residency, each resident will be enrolled as a full-time student in an SBC Seminary and take virtual classes together as a Residency Cohort at Forest Hills. By the end of the residency, residents will have completed a minimum of 36 credit hours toward their Master’s degree.
Supervised Ministry
With an individualized approach, residents will be able to learn, observe and experience ministry leadership under the support and direction of our seasoned leadership team. Residents will pursue development in their primary area of calling as well as gain experience in other avenues of ministry in the local church.
Missions
Utilizing FHBC’s strategic partnerships, residents can gain experience in cross- cultural ministry, volunteer mobilization, field personnel support and disciple-making in local and international contexts. Residents would be encouraged to enter the sending process through the International Mission Board while serving as a resident. This specialization is open to God-called women and men.
Pastoral/Church Planting
Pastoral and church planting residents will gain experiences in various ministry areas that prepare them to lead a local church. Ministry will be experienced within the context of the multi-generational ministry of FHBC, but can be expanded to include its partner ministries when relevant. FHBC will uniquely prepare and equip a church planting resident to strategically plant and pastor a healthy, evangelistic, disciple-making and multiplying church through Forest Hills Baptist Church. This specialization is reserved for God-called men in accordance with our Statement of Faith, 1 Timothy 3, and Titus 1.
- Be a faithful follower of Jesus Christ, who is actively pursing Him
- Able to articulate a specific call to vocational, Christian ministry
- Express alignment with FHBC’s Statement of Faith
- Completed a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university
- Desire to enroll in Seminary for further theological education
- Commit two years in a full-time capacity to FHBC’s Ministry Residency
- During the Residency, each Resident must complete our membership process and become part of our church family.
- Residents will be provided a financial $25,000/year stipend to offset living costs in addition to gaining valuable ministry experience.
- Forest Hills will cover the cost of Seminary classes taken while in the Ministry Residency (36 hours).
- Forest Hills will assist Residents with finding low-cost, affordable living arrangements in our ministry area.
How much time will be spent in ministry/seminary/personal development?
Residents will spend on average 60% (24 hours/week) of their time in supervised ministry, 30% (12 hours/week) in theological education, and 10% (4 hours/week) in personal development. Total weekly commitment to the residency will be an average of 40 hours.
Who will be my employer?
While serving in the Residency, FHBC will employ you to fulfill your supervised ministry in the service of the church as a part-time employee (less than 30 hours/week). The facilitation of your seminary education and personal development, while they constitute the remaining requirements of the Residency, are provided to the candidate as a benefit of the Residency.
Are any other benefits included in the Residency?
No, in addition to the unique, personal benefit of the Residency itself, the Seminary costs and the stipend, there are no additional benefits offered.
Is there any time off or vacation time during the Residency?
Yes – Residents will get one week of vacation/per year in addition to approved church holidays. The church office is closed between Christmas and New Year’s Day and this time off does not count as vacation time. Vacation time must be coordinated in advance with the Residency Director and your Ministry Supervisor in conjunction with the seminary schedule.
Who selects the ministry specialization and supervisor?
Residency specializations and supervisors will be formed based on aligning residency candidate’s callings with FHBC ministry needs and expertise. Expression of calling and preferences are collected in the Residency Application. Candidates will be accepted and assigned a specialization after an interview with the Residency Director and the prospective Ministry Supervisor.
Can I pick what seminary and what classes I take?
No – Residents will take the same core classes with other residents in their cohort, the seminary and course schedule outlined at the beginning of the Residency will be followed each semester so there can be consistency in a collaborative learning environment.
Can I have a ministry focus in my seminary training?
Residents will complete the core classes of a Master’s level theological degree in concert with their cohort. However, if a resident would like to take additional classes at their own expense during mini terms, a longer focus can be arranged in advance with the church and seminary.
When will candidates be notified if they have been selected to participate in the
Ministry Residency and when will it begin? Applications will be received through March 31st. Resident selection will be completed and announced by May 31st. Residents will begin Year 1 of the Residency on August 1st.
How many residents will be selected?
Each year, a maximum of 2 candidates will be selected to participate in FHBC’s Ministry Residency.
Will residents be guaranteed employment at the end of the Residency?
No – While our goal is to prepare each resident to be equipped for ministry leadership in the local church, we cannot guarantee future employment to our residents. We trust the Lord to lead each resident to the place of service where He is calling them.
Internships
A part-time ministry experience where the next generation of leaders
can serve the local church, explore a calling to vocational ministry,
and grow under the supervision of our seasoned church staff.
Interns will have the opportunity to serve in a single area of ministry in the local church for one season of the calendar year (Spring, Summer, or Fall). Seasons are generally defined by the collegiate academic year. Each intern will serve under the weekly supervision of their Ministry Area Supervisor and will participate with other interns in the Intern Cohort. The Internship Coordinator will provide supplementary leadership development resources periodically through the semester.
Internships at Forest Hills provide a safe space to explore the future possibility of vocational ministry while serving and investing deeply in people and current ministries of the church. Whether or not an intern intends to pursue vocational ministry, this is an excellent opportunity for them to grow personally in their relationship with Christ and in their development as a leader.
Interns will typically serve between 10-20 hours per week on average in their selected ministry area. Ministry areas may include Preschool, Kids, Students, College/Young Adults, AV/Tech, Missions, and Musical Worship. The number of interns in a cohort and available ministry areas vary based on the seasonal needs of the ministry. Weekly schedules can be tailored to fit the availability of the intern.
- Prospective interns should submit a completed application (including references and approval for a background check) to the Internship Coordinator no later than 1 month before the beginning of the desired season of service (ex. to serve in the summer, the application should be in before May 1). Applications can be found at fhbc.org/internships or directly from the Internship Coordinator.
- As part of the application process, applicants will be interviewed by the Internship Coordinator and by the respective Ministry Area Supervisor.
- The Internship Coordinator will notify approved applicants of their orientation date and will coordinate
Who is the average applicant?
Our applicants are typically college students who want vocational skills training in a ministry setting.
Interns do not necessarily need to feel called to vocational ministry but will be gaining skills and training
in a ministry setting.
Can I go to school and be an intern at the same time?
Yes! Our internships are geared toward current college students, recent graduates, or graduate students.
We would love to work with you to accommodate your school schedule as you intern.
What does a typical week look like?
Sunday mornings and most Wednesday nights are key serving times. Weekday involvement will be required
in all ministry areas but may vary depending on the season.
Will I be paid or receive benefits as an intern?
Interns will be paid an effective rate of $13/hour. Pay is bi-weekly and no additional benefits (i.e. health
insurance) will be provided.