In May 2020, I began my journey in The Timothy Project residency program. I was unsure of what I was getting myself into, but knowing the leadership at Colonial Heights, I could only imagine it was going to be useful to my future in ministry. I know that the Lord is calling me to be a Lead Pastor in the future, and the knowledge and experience gained here has helped prepare me for the ups and downs of ministry.
The goal of The Timothy Project is to train up future pastors and church leaders by helping with education and experience in ministry. Then those who are a part of the residency are to be sent out. This is being accomplished in my life, and much sooner than I anticipated.
My official title is Pastoral Resident. Initially, that title meant that I was going to be the assistant to the Lead Pastor - keeping his calendar, helping him send letters to guests and members, setting up lunches and meetings, and generally keeping up with him at all times. That title quickly turned into a catch-all job description related to many areas of the church, for which I am grateful. This meant that I still did all the first things I mentioned, but I was also being equipped to handle all types of ministry work - understanding how all ministries of the church work together, how to help run a website, how to teach middle schoolers (which would turn out most useful), and countless other things.
At the end of this month (as I am writing this), I will be leaving Colonial Heights and moving on to pursue a ministry opportunity much sooner than anticipated. I am not yet finished with my seminary training (but I will keep going!) and have only truly gained one year of ministry experience, but in this one year I have gained more knowledge and experience than I could have ever imagined. The staff at Colonial Heights have been a big help in teaching me how to do ministry - better than any class I could have taken. Being a part of planning for the future, being able to teach and preach, and sitting under experienced men who have been through the ups and downs of ministry for many years have supplied me with valuable tools.
The role of resident is a different role than any other role on staff. None of us necessarily run a ministry, not entirely at least. There is a safety net here in the leadership, and there is a distinct timeline. When you finish seminary, the objective is to be sent out. If a year ago I had been given the opportunity to go and pastor somewhere else, I don’t think I would have been as prepared as I am now. The Lord has graciously given me people to make sure that I am walking with the Lord, reading His Word, and confessing sin. This is another valuable asset that I do not take for granted. I am so grateful that I have been given the opportunity to sit and learn under godly men who love the Lord. I hope to take the things I have learned and experienced and use them to further God’s kingdom.
