Cady Riemann: since my residency

For Cady Rieman, stepping into her residency marked the beginning of a journey of self-discovery, personal growth, and valuable insights into ministry life. Reflecting on her experiences, Cady shares how residency opened her eyes to areas she hadn’t fully realized needed development and how the support and structure of the program laid the foundation for her future in ministry.

Realizing the Gap Between Perception and Reality

Cady started her residency with a modest sense of confidence. She had some ministry experience and thought she was “prepared” for the role. However, she quickly realized there was much more to learn. “I didn’t realize that I actually wasn’t as prepared or qualified as I thought I was,” she says. Cady’s coaches paced her progress slowly at first, focusing on building a deep understanding of the purpose behind each task. While this approach felt “confusing in the beginning,” it became evident that it was “exactly what I needed to make sure I understood the why behind what I was doing and going to be doing in ministry.”

The Freedom to Fail and Learn

Residency, Cady explains, is meant to provide a “safety net” — a supportive environment where she could step out of her comfort zone, make mistakes, and learn. One memorable moment involved an embarrassing mix-up with ordering lunches for an event. “I collected all the Jimmy John’s orders and started inputting each and every one. It felt like SO many orders,” Cady recalls. She placed the order, thinking everything was set for Sunday. But when the barista came to inform her the food had arrived on Thursday instead, Cady was mortified. “I had just spent $200+ on sandwiches intended for Sunday, only for them to be delivered on the wrong day,” she remembers. Though she was worried she’d be in serious trouble, the staff’s response was surprising — “There was so much grace and somehow even more laughter at the situation than I ever expected.” This experience taught her both the importance of double-checking and that the team’s understanding and support were there when things went off course.

Why Residency Was Essential Preparation

Reflecting on what her journey might have been like if she’d gone directly into a full-time ministry position, Cady feels grateful for her residency experience. Without it, she suspects she would have been “a ball of anxiety, feeling like I was constantly failing, never good enough, and having no clue what I was doing.” She 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. “I realize what a blessing it was to not even be called back,” she says. Residency provided her with the structured growth, experience, and understanding that were crucial for her development as a leader.

The Hope to Guide Future Residents

Now, as she steps fully into her role as a pastor, Cady is beginning to think about the possibility of having her own resident one day. “This is a crazy question to think about,” she reflects. “I still can’t believe I am a full-time pastor now! Imposter syndrome is very real; however, I am leaning into the fact that God has worked things out for me to be here, and if I’m here, I want Him to use me!” While she feels there’s still much for her to learn, Cady hopes that one day she can “pour the wisdom I have learned into someone” else. She believes in helping residents “learn more about themselves, discover how they are gifted, see where their passions are, and where they need to grow.”

Embracing the Framework of Residency

Through her journey, Cady’s story highlights the purpose behind Leadership Pathway’s residency program. By focusing on spiritual formation, soft skills, and structured coaching, the residency helped Cady grow in ways she hadn’t expected. “I am so thankful for the 2 years of experience of residency that I had!” she says, a sentiment that resonates with the core of Leadership Pathway’s mission to develop resilient, prepared, and compassionate leaders for ministry. Cady’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of mentorship, humility, and grace in the journey to become effective leaders.