Urban Pastoral Ministry Program Applications Now Available
Our partner organization City Mission is accepting applications for their Urban Pastoral Ministry Program! The program is a two year residency for recent seminary graduates who are called to ordained urban ministry. Through a partnership between City Mission and four established Boston churches, residents gain hands-on experience in worship, administration, and outreach in an urban congregation, mentorship from experienced ministers, and opportunities for leadership in collaborations between City Mission, these congregations, and other organizations. Designed to help new pastors develop networks of support, the program provides weekly opportunities for learning and reflection for residents in their cohort.
City Mission is now accepting applications for residents for the program’s July 2019 – July 2021 cohort. Applications will be accepted through January 15, 2019. Initial interviews will take place by phone in February, and finalists will be invited to Boston for interviews in March. See “How to Apply” below for more information.
UPMP is part of Lilly Endowment Inc.’s Thriving in Ministry project, an initiative that supports pastors in times of key professional transitions by building relationships with experienced clergy and each other.
About the Program
Urban Pastoral Ministry Program residents are employed full-time by City Mission and are placed in one of four Boston congregations:
- Bethel AME Church (A.M.E.; Jamaica Plain)
- First Baptist Church (ABCUSA and Alliance of Baptists; Jamaica Plain)
- Fourth Presbyterian Church (PC (USA); South Boston)
- Old South Church (UCC; Boston)
Residents spend two-thirds of their time as members of the pastoral staff at their assigned church, and one-third on staff at City Mission.
At their church placement, residents will take an active role in the life of the congregation, assisting with worship, formation, community engagement, social justice ministries, and pastoral care. At City Mission, residents will participate in cohort learning, seminars, participation in ministry groups, and in leadership with City Mission’s educational and advocacy programs.
How to Apply
Applications are welcome and encouraged by recent (no more than 3 years) seminary graduates with demonstrated interest in urban ministry. Applicants should be engaged in a discernment process for ordination in their denomination, or already ordained.
A full job description can be found here.
To apply, download the following application. Completed applications and questions about the program can be sent to: urbanministry@