The next generation
Apprenticeships and residencies rooted in local churches, shaped by the gospel, and oriented toward the mission of God.
The next generation of pastors grows within the life of the church.
We are cultivating a movement of churches committed to identifying, forming, and sending gospel leaders throughout the Southwest and beyond.
A vision taking shape. These pathways are being developed as part of our five-year vision. Placements, training arrangements, and financial partnerships are discerned with each candidate and host congregation.
Two entry points
Apprenticeship
Typically three years
For men considering pastoral ministry or seminary, embedded in a local PCA congregation.
The aim: greater clarity about pursuing seminary and pastoral ministry.
Explore ApprenticeshipResidency
Typically two years
For seminary graduates who are ordained or pursuing ordination and discerning a call to church planting, embedded in a local PCA congregation.
The aim: readiness to pursue church planting, with openness to other faithful pastoral callings.
Explore ResidencyApprenticeship is not required before residency. These are complementary entry points; the right pathway depends on your preparation and calling.
Life together
Pastors are formed through embodied ministry in a congregation. Classroom learning matters; it takes root as we learn to love and serve people.
Our developing residency vision brings four elements together. Specific rhythms and opportunities will be agreed with each host church.
Serve through preaching, discipleship, evangelism, pastoral care, and leadership responsibilities, with appropriate guidance and feedback.
Experienced pastors and elders invest in character, theological convictions, ministry skills, and spiritual maturity through personal mentoring.
Proposed monthly SWCPN cohort gatherings create space for theological reflection, shared learning, prayer, and conversations about ministry and mission.
Proposed periodic gatherings, ongoing evaluation, and intentional discernment help residents reflect on growth and readiness for future ministry.
Local mentorship, meaningful ministry opportunities, and theological development give men space to explore vocation. The focus is learning the habits of faithful service and discerning whether seminary and pastoral ministry are the next step.
Our convictions
Character matters more than charisma.
A pastor’s calling is to love Christ and the people entrusted to his care. Gifts can open a door; humility, charity, and spiritual maturity sustain the work.
The local church is the primary place of formation. There, gospel-centered preaching is joined to a gospel-shaped life: prayer, repentance, patient service, and generosity towards Christians and non-Christians.
Church planters are missionaries. They learn the hopes and wounds of their communities, listen before speaking, and seek to make the grace of Christ known in word and deed.
Faithful ministry cannot be reduced to entrepreneurial ability or organizational competency. A pastoral heart develops through relationships, experience, and time. Discernment may lead to planting, further preparation, or another pastoral calling.
Shared investment
Preparing future pastors is a responsibility we share.
SWCPN seeks to partner with host congregations in providing meaningful financial support for apprentices and residents. Arrangements depend on the candidate, congregation, and available Network resources.
Potential support is discussed during discernment. Funding commitments are not yet finalized. Our purpose is to help churches invest in the long work of preparing the next generation of pastors and church planters.
Partner in leadership developmentAn invitation to congregations
A host church helps form a future pastor and missionary.
The invitation goes beyond providing a temporary position. It means welcoming a developing leader into congregational life and taking responsibility for his growth.
The host church
Personal mentoring, meaningful ministry opportunities, congregational relationships, and pastoral oversight.
The developing leader
Character and calling discerned together through service, feedback, and prayer.
SWCPN
Network relationships, shared training resources, proposed cohort experiences, and potential financial partnership.