Transition into Ministry

Meeting the Needs of our TiMs

All of our TiMs have arrived at Plymouth within a year after graduating from divinity school. Ordination in the United Church of Christ (UCC) and other denominations is a separate process that includes their formal education plus other requirements. Some of our TiMs have been ready to be ordained pending their call to Plymouth, while others have needed to complete this process while at Plymouth.  

Beyond ordination, residents at Plymouth arrive with varying goals. Some want to become solo pastors once they leave us and understand they will likely be called to serve much smaller congregations. Others have wanted to become pastors at larger multi-staff churches. Some want to specialize in particular types of ministry, like youth ministry or church planting. And, of course, some arrive at Plymouth, more uncertain about their direction. 

Meeting the Needs of Plymouth 

Our pastoral residents serve as full-time associate pastors while at Plymouth. They are not interns and all of them are eager to serve us as our pastors. We do our best to give them regular responsibilities for preaching, leading worship, teaching, and pastoral care. Beyond these basics, we try to give them projects or experiences in their areas of interest or areas where they need to grow. Sometimes, we also need them to serve in areas where we have a need such as a staff vacancy, a special project, or a temporary focal area.