Parkview Presbyterian Church and the Mission Support Ministry Group of the Presbytery of Sacramento Intercultural Residency Program

Introduction

Parkview’s residency program provides an opportunity for the newly trained seminarian to learn and practice the skills and responsibilities that are necessary to be a successful Presbyterian Teaching Elder in a multicultural setting. While at Parkview, the Resident will develop and use tools from theology courses, seminary training, and individual pastoral gifts to lead inspirational and informative worship services, offer pastoral care to the Church Community, and develop relationships with faith-based and secular community organizations through outreach and volunteer service. Parkview’s residency program is the result of a conscious decision by the congregation to empower and enable aspiring pastors as colleagues in its ministry in an increasingly diverse society.
Click here to read about our current and past residents.

Who Should Apply for the Intercultural Residency Program?

Students who:

• have completed seminary and desire to enroll in a full-time field education placement.
• are progressive in their theology and inclusive in their convictions.
• cherish creativity, enjoy artistic expression, honor inclusive hospitality, and yearn to make the world more just through civic engagement and community service.
• hold a deep and abiding love of worship and who feel called to develop, write, and present meaningful liturgy.
• desire to provide pastoral care in ways that demonstrate empathy, compassion, and sensitivity to different cultures and backgrounds.
• desire to help the congregation engage in service as an opportunity to grow in faith, and are open to serving as a resource and/or volunteer at local social service agencies.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Parkview is not currently accepting applications to our residency program.

What  Residents are Expected to Do

The Residents shall:

• make a commitment to the program for a minimum of three months and a maximum of two years (brief extensions may be negotiable).
• participate in worship service and lead some components on a regular basis.
• actively support the church’s vision to build and sustain a multi-generational faith community.
• enhance Parkview’s involvement and integration into the immediate Southside Park neighborhood.
• promote lifelong learning about our faith in the context of the world’s religions and cultures.
• support the Pastor and church members in providing pastoral care.
• engage the congregation and community online through the website and other social media.
• create and develop a simple “legacy” project for themselves that will be both innovative and sustainable (for residents serving at least one year).
• work at least 30 hours a week but will have opportunities for growth outside of Parkview.
• live in on-site housing provided by Parkview.
• receive a stipend of $1,000 a month for the period of service, plus $50 a month for travel expenses related to pastoral care.

 Resident Profile

We are looking for inquisitive, intelligent, creative, and articulate people who wish to bring their knowledge of the contemporary world to bear on the reality of an intercultural congregation. Although experience through Clinical Pastoral Education is a plus, it is not a requirement. What is a requirement is a willingness to learn, having a sense of one’s unique contribution, but not being overly focused on one’s own sense of importance. Compassion, empathy, curiosity, genuineness, sense of humor, and a desire to get to know oneself more deeply, as well as God’s calling for one’s life, are desired qualities.

Although Parkview’s ministry will be their focus, Residents will be encouraged to network in the Presbytery and beyond, by acquainting themselves with other intercultural ministries/ministries of inclusion.

Application Procedure

• Click here to download the application.
• Application Deadline: ongoing. Applications are kept on file if there are no current openings.
• Mail completed application packet to:

Intercultural Ministry Program
Parkview Presbyterian Church
727 T Street
Sacramento, CA 95811

Or email materials to parkviewpresbyterianresidency@gmail.com

Application Packet Checklist

• Cover Letter
• Completed Application and “Tell Us More” written response
• Résumé (Work Experience Community/Church Leadership Endeavors
• Sermon Manuscript or video
• Two Letters of Recommendation and Two Additional Contacts

Supervision

The congregation will be the primary teacher for the Residents. Residents will generally find them warm, welcoming, intelligent, and supportive. Residents will also get to know Elders and Ministers in the Presbytery, which through the Mission Support Committee, is supportive of the project.
Parkview will have a small advisory committee that will meet with the Residents approximately once a month and will also meet at the Residents’ requests. Residents will meet weekly with the lead pastor.

Kindly note that we are not accepting new applications at this time.