The Church Residency Podcast

Family Church
Family Church
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Christianity
  • Series

The Church Residency Podcast explores how local churches are training the next generation of pastors, church planters, missionaries, and ministry leaders through residency programs. Hosted by Mark Warnock, Residency Director at Family Church in South Florida, each episode features conversations with leaders from churches across the country who are building intentional pathways for leadership development. Learn how residency programs are designed, funded, and implemented, hear lessons learned from both successes and failures, and discover practical strategies for developing leaders through hands-on ministry experience. Whether you're leading an established residency, considering starting one, or simply passionate about raising up future leaders in the local church, this podcast will equip and encourage you to invest in leadership development within the life of the church.

  1. Season 1, Episode 1 Trailer ·  Video

    Season 1 Trailer: Why Church Residencies Matter

    How can churches raise the next generation of pastors, church planters, missionaries, and ministry leaders? In this Season 1 trailer, host Mark Warnock introduces The Church Residency Podcast and shares the conviction behind the show: leadership development belongs in the local church. As more churches establish residency programs to train and send future leaders, this podcast explores the practical strategies, lessons learned, and real-world experiences of churches investing in the next generation. Throughout Season 1, you'll hear conversations with residency leaders from across the country about: How their residency programs got startedThe vision and philosophy driving their approachCurriculum and training structuresFunding models and church-seminary partnershipsSuccesses, failures, and lessons learnedPractical advice for churches considering a residency programWhether you're leading an established residency, exploring how to start one, or simply passionate about leadership development in the local church, this podcast is for you. Subscribe now and join the conversation. Click here to access the FREE Church Residency Starter Kit. -- Sign up to attend the Residency Builder Event in Jacksonville, Florida September 29-30, 2026 https://www.sendnetwork.com/events/residency-builder-jacksonville-fl/

  2. Episode 1 ·  Video

    Ep. 1 - The Urgency of Leadership Development in the Local Church

    The Urgency of Leadership Development in the Local Church  Host Mark Warnock introduces the Church Residency Podcast with a discussion of the urgent need for new Christian leaders of all types: pastors, missionaries, church planters, and others.   Key topics:  The rising median age of pastors from 44 in the 1990s to 57 in 2020, and what it means for church leadership succession The demographic decline of younger generations in the church and its impact on future leadership pipelines The importance of churches owning the leadership development responsibility rather than relying solely on seminaries How residencies serve as an effective model for training future pastors, missionaries, and church planters The biblical foundation from Jesus and Paul for developing leaders within local churches Practical steps to start a church residency, even for small churches, including partnerships and resources from Send Network The value of community and shared learning among residency leaders to improve programs and avoid imposter syndrome   Timestamps:   00:00 - Welcome and overview: why leadership development is urgent for the church   00:28 - The current crisis: median pastor age rising and implications for church continuity   01:25 - Statistical snapshot: age shifts and future leadership gaps   02:21 - The looming retirement of a generation of pastors and the church's need for new leaders   03:47 - Demographic and cultural factors reducing the pipeline of future pastors   04:44 - The challenge of seminary pipeline and church-based leadership cultivation   09:52 - The biblical model: Jesus and Paul’s methods of developing leaders during active ministry   10:20 - Practical example: churches of all sizes implementing residencies today   13:38 - How to start a residency: resources, workshops, and partnerships.  15:32 - Encouragement for churches outside SBC to create their own residencies   16:30 - The vision: every local church raising up leaders from within   17:29 - The importance of leadership training for the next generation’s church continuity   18:51 - The sharing of different approaches to residency programs and community building among leaders   20:42 - Calls to action: listen, share, and start or improve your church residency  Resources & Links:  Send Network Residency Builders Church Residency Starter Kit    Connect with Mark Warnock:  Email LinkedIn Facebook Instagram  Click here to access the FREE Church Residency Starter Kit. -- Sign up to attend the Residency Builder Event in Jacksonville, Florida September 29-30, 2026 https://www.sendnetwork.com/events/residency-builder-jacksonville-fl/

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The Church Residency Podcast explores how local churches are training the next generation of pastors, church planters, missionaries, and ministry leaders through residency programs. Hosted by Mark Warnock, Residency Director at Family Church in South Florida, each episode features conversations with leaders from churches across the country who are building intentional pathways for leadership development. Learn how residency programs are designed, funded, and implemented, hear lessons learned from both successes and failures, and discover practical strategies for developing leaders through hands-on ministry experience. Whether you're leading an established residency, considering starting one, or simply passionate about raising up future leaders in the local church, this podcast will equip and encourage you to invest in leadership development within the life of the church.

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