At Indian Trail Church, we are committed to pastoral training in the local church.
THE GOAL
To train men who desire to serve as vocational pastors/missionaries, helping them mature in pastoral Gospel ministry and in the discernment of the pastoral call in the context of the local church with the end goal that we might confirm qualified vocational pastors who will plant and/or strengthen churches in the Gospel.
THE PROCESS
We vet, mentor, refine, evaluate and affirm those involved in the ITC pastoral training program.
- Vetting - Through an application process, we determine if an individual is a fit for the pastoral training ministry.
- Mentoring - We help those in training to grow in conviction of key areas of biblical truth related to the pastoral ministry of the Gospel, such as: an in-depth understanding of the Gospel; key areas of theology, especially related to the doctrines of salvation and the church; character qualifications of a pastor/elder; and primary ministry functions of a pastor/elder.
- Refining - Through ministry opportunities in our local church, they receive encouragement and constructive criticism from our elders, staff and church body.
- Evaluating - Through regular interviews with our pastoral staff, we evaluate their progress and help them assess the pastoral call for their lives.
- Affirming - At the end of their training, no matter what stage completed, we affirm either their progressing call to pastoral ministry or God’s call for them to serve the church in a different capacity.
THE STAGES
APPLICATION
In order for someone to be a part of ITC's Pastoral Training Program, he must go through the application process by filling out an application and interviewing for the position. The church elders will then decide who qualifies for the program.
YEAR ONE INTERNSHIP
Year one internship focuses on building a foundation to a Gospel centered approach to life and ministry, with an emphasis on mentoring in the following areas: preaching and teaching; prayer ministry; church leadership (eldership); and practical ecclesiology (preaching, discipleship, church ordinances, church membership, etc.)
Time commitment: 10-15 hrs per week.
Financial assistance might be available upon request.
YEAR TWO INTERNSHIP
Year two internship has two main areas of focus: First, a much higher level of ministry involvement where they have more pastoral oversight in church ministries. And continued mentoring in pastoral leadership.
Time commitment: 10-15 hrs per week.
Financial assistance might be available upon request.
TWO-YEAR RESIDENCY
A pastor in training may apply for a two year residency at Indian Trail Church. Residency is an opportunity for the pastoral trainee to serve along side our elders and pastor a major area of ministry at ITC while at the same time pursuing further equipping from a seminary or suitable ministry equipping institution. Pastoral Residency constitutes the highest level of pastoral training at ITC.
Time commitment: Determined in the application process.
Compensation: Determined in the application process.
KEY DOCUMENTS
ITC PASTORAL TRAINING APPLICATION FORM