This post wins for the longest title ever. You’re welcome…go learn from the best, but don’t be defeated. You can do this!

Cady recalls applying for a ministry director role before her residency and feeling “so confused and hurt” that she wasn’t even called back. Now, she sees it as a blessing. Residency provided her with the structured growth, experience, and understanding that were crucial for her development as a leader.

“I came into residency thinking of myself as a Bible teacher but not a leader.” That was how he saw himself—a teacher, someone who shared knowledge but didn’t necessarily lead others. But his residency turned that perspective on its head. “My residency taught me how to be a leader and that God was inviting me to be a leader.”

Our list of books, blogs, emails & thought leaders all around developing the next generation.

Ask a leader, “do you do leadership development?” and you’ll get a variety of answers that typically begins with “yes…” Then you’ll hear about books, or community, or devotions, or even mentoring programs.

Yet, today’s 20 to 25-year-old is unique and a challenge that will require a different approach.

If a search for a new team member takes longer than a year it starts to feel like God isn’t in this…he’s lost your address. Perhaps He’s just at work on His own timeline for you?

You’re first ministry role didn’t work out. Five things this does NOT mean.

The leap she took to move to Charlotte for residency was, no doubt, difficult for her. She acknowledges, It was really hard moving away from my family for the first time. It still is, but it has gotten easier over time and made the moments we do get to spend together all the better.

Chris Hupp is in his first year of residency, serving as a Family Ministries Resident, from Pre-K-High School, currently lead small groups, preparing for their summer Honduras missions trip, and also serving on the worship team for weekend services.

Here are five traits that we see smart leaders of Gen Z doing that are helpful to cross the generational gap. (and yes, I’m cringing…I’ve been guilty of not doing all of these…hey, we’re all still learning here).

What’s still going to be true in 2,000 years? One leader showing a new leader all the leadery-things.

How do we find and keep young 20 somethings on our team? What does Gen-Z need in a boss? We asked these questions of a 25 year old leader whom we can all learn

by Tirza Hortensius, Church Relations
At Leadership Pathway we help churches create space for young leaders to join their team for the long haul. This begins with a leadership residency that is two years in length. Housing is a big deal since they are not compensated fully.

Sometimes it doesn’t take three hundred words to make an excellent point. Recently at a Masterclass in Cincinnati we were discussing how to understand young leaders/GenZ/twenty somethings and high school pastor Mike Shelley had the perfect answer.

We must keep the conversation alive about staffing and what to do next.

Begin by dividing the columns into six-month increments: the first 6 months, months 7-12, and the 2nd year (months13-24). Brainstorm the individual skills a resident should acquire. This is especially beneficial to do together with other staff members on your team. Have them each write tasks on post-it notes.

A Christian College senior sat down in my office in February of his last year of undergrad studies in ministry and was perplexed. Like most of the good ones, he’d spent the better part of the last two years on a developmental path of part-time ministry under the guidance of a great youth pastor.

“I don’t know which of these opportunities I should pursue,” he said. 

Not all residents are young twenty somethings. Chris Vermeulen is a great example of a second-career resident. He serves at one of our favorite places with Rick Riddering who serves in leadership development and as residency director. Here’s a take on Chris’ development in his own words

Purchasing all the best Dewalt tools at Home Depot doesn’t make you a finish carpenter. Asking a veteran carpenter for advice, listening, and putting into practice what they say repeatedly will put you on the path to being one. Can we do this for the next generation?