Resident - Great Lakes Association Ohio Cluster

Executive Summary: The GLA Cluster Internship + Residency Program develops spiritually formed ministry leaders through hands-on ministry, an academic partnership with Kairos University, and 1:1 mentorship. Residents (2 years, full-time) receive compensation, paid time off including spiritual formation time, and educational support aimed at producing ministry-ready leaders who can serve across the GLA Cluster and beyond.
Mission: We invest in emerging leaders exploring or pursuing vocational ministry by providing holistic development, hands-on experience, and 1:1 mentoring with experienced pastoral staff.
Vision: This program offers a critical leadership pipeline for the GLA Cluster and beyond that develops spiritually healthy, aligned men and women to lead the church into the next generation. 3 Essentials
Becoming a Resident means you’ll have opportunities to grow in the following areas:
1. Spiritual Formation
The most important thing you can offer someone is your own thriving relationship with Jesus. Your spiritual health matters most, and the program is designed to help you grow in your relationship with Jesus first and foremost through a variety of opportunities to practice spiritual disciplines in community, such as Sabbath, contemplative prayer, and 1:1 spiritual direction with skilled professionals.
2. Education
We believe learning happens best when education integrates your spiritual formation, intellectual interests, and hands-on experience. To that end, each Resident will enroll in Kairos University. This innovative program bucks the traditional course-credit education model in favor of highly customizable, mentor-team–directed educational journeys. Kairos has among the highest accreditation that institutes of higher learning can achieve. Your experience in the program will count as progress toward earning a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, depending on your educational background and goals.
3. Experience
Leadership growth happens by doing. At first, you will provide support in selected areas of our partner churches*. As you grow in your leadership skills throughout the internship or residency, opportunities for genuine responsibility and ownership will be offered. Your voice will be valued as you work closely with experienced pastoral staff and ministry leaders to build the Kingdom of God.

*Each Resident will primarily engage with their Sponsor-Partner Church, which is the church funding their experience. What You Can Expect from the GLA Cluster
-Duration: 2 years, 40 hours/week
-Compensation*: $16 per hour + benefits package eligibility + $3,600 education allowance
-Paid Time Off*: 40 hours vacation, 40 hours spiritual formation, 40 hours personal time
-Housing for ages 18+: Ability to apply for a bedroom at the Program House, if available; cost = $150/month
-Education: Mandatory Kairos University enrollment; 20 hours/week toward degree
-Feedback Opportunities: Weekly 1:1 coaching, Biannual Review, Exit Interview

*Compensation and benefits are taken from GLA Partner Heartland Community Church’s handbook. Compensation, PTO, and internal staff rhythms may vary based on the Sponsor-Partner Church’s policies. Expectations

• Uphold and align with the Sponsor-Partner Church’s Statement of Beliefs. ( Heartland , Cross of Hope , Disciples )
• Prioritize personal spiritual formation.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Acceptance into Kairos University and maintain good standing throughout the program.
• Maintain a teachable attitude and willingness to learn under the guidance of seasoned ministry leaders.
• Be open to new experiences and learning in various church contexts, particularly within the GLA Cluster.
• Be computer literate in Google Suite or Microsoft 365.
• Have reliable transportation.
• Satisfactory results on background check process.

Residency Pathways
Below are the pathways available for Residents to pursue. Regardless of pathway, all Residents will gather together for all program events.
Exploratory
This pathway is designed for those exploring what ministry work is like and who desire experience in many different areas of the church. Future campus pastors or church planters may benefit from this broad exposure. Residents will spend time in various ministry areas, including Connections, Students, Kids, Operations, Worship + Tech, Communications, and Missions. Opportunities for full responsibility or ownership are limited due to the brief time spent in each area, but this pathway is ideal for those discerning a ministry calling or seeking a holistic view of church life.
Hybrid*
This pathway is designed for those experiencing a pull in two different directions. Residents select two ministry areas and devote half of their program duration to each: Connections, Students, Kids, Operations, Worship + Tech, Communications, or Missions. A key goal of this pathway is to help interns discern the kind of ministry work God is calling them toward. Opportunities for responsibility and ownership are greater than in the Exploratory pathway but less robust than in the Focused pathway.
Focused*
This pathway is designed for those who have a clearer sense of the ministry area to which they feel called. Residents are required to folllow this pathway in year 2. Residents spend the full duration of the program in one ministry area: Connections, Students, Kids, Operations, Worship, Technology, Communications, or Missions. While this pathway offers less cross-ministry exposure, it provides the greatest opportunities for responsibility and ownership, particularly in the latter half of the program.

*Both Hybrid and Focused pathways include a brief exploratory portion across different ministry areas.

Required Calendar Items

-Monthly GLA Cluster Meeting: Typically 3rd Wednesday | 1:30 - 3:00 PM
-Sponsor-Partner Church All-Staff Meetings:

• Heartland: 1st Tuesday | 9:00–11:00 AM
• Cross of Hope: Tuesdays | 9:00–11:00 AM
• Disciples: Every other Monday | 3:30–4:30 PM

-Sunday Worship Services: (exemptions subject to approval by the Sponsor-Partner Church Program Liaison)

• Heartland: Clint Neptune
• Cross of Hope: Dan Adams
• Disciples: Phil LaHue / Drew Steinhart

-Monthly 1:1 Meeting with Sponsor-Partner Church Program Liaison.
-Weekly 1:1 Meeting with Ministry Team Lead.
-Monthly All-Program Gathering/Huddle: Typically third Thursday; TBD depending on activity.
-Extended Practicum Experiences: Three-week placements at each GLA Partner Churches in the latter half of the program. Mileage is not provided when reporting to a different GLA Partner Church.
-Other Potential All-Staff Events with Sponsor-Partner Church.
-Regular 1:1 Meetings with a Spiritual Director.

To Apply:
-Upload a cover letter and resume and respond to each of the questions on the questionnaire.