Church Field Education Application

Congregations play a central role in nurturing the calling of individuals and shaping the health of the church. Long before ministers step into full-time leadership, their understanding of ministry is formed by the congregations that invite them into real life, real leadership, and real care.

CBF North Carolina (CBFNC) is committed to helping congregations thrive and to supporting individuals as they discern and live into their calling. The Field Education & Ministry Practice Grant Program is one way these commitments come together—by inviting churches to partner in the formation of emerging leaders while strengthening their own ministry life.

This program is not about filling staffing gaps. It is about forming future ministers through meaningful participation in congregational life. Churches selected as ministry sites commit to offering students more than work—they offer mentorship, supervision, and a place to learn ministry faithfully.

Through this partnership, churches:

Invest in the next generation of pastoral and ministry leaders
Model healthy leadership, governance, and shared discernment
Contribute to congregational thriving by cultivating reflective, capable leaders
Receive the presence and energy of a student eager to learn and serve

Students are invited into:

Ministry practice appropriate to their stage of formation
Leadership meetings and decision-making spaces
Pastoral care and congregational rhythms
Honest reflection about ministry, calling, and faithfulness

Churches are not asked to be perfect. They are asked to be faithful, hospitable, and willing to teach what ministry truly looks like, especially amid complexity and discernment.

By hosting a student, congregations:

Participate in CBFNC’s commitment to nurturing individual calling
Strengthen their own leadership culture through mentoring and reflection
Contribute to the long-term thriving of congregational ministry

This program recognizes that thriving congregations and well-formed ministers grow together.

It invites churches to open their life, leadership, and care to those learning the art of ministry.

Church / Organization Name*

Church / Organization Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / ProvincePostal / Zip CodeCountry

Website

Primary Contact Name & Role*

Primary Contact Email*

example@example.com

Primary Contact Phone Number*

Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.

Congregational / Organizational Context*

Congregational Character & Culture*

Community Engagement & Partnerships

Proposed Ministry Focus for the Student*

Skills & Formation Goals for the Student*

Student Identification (e.g., ministry intern, student minister, pastoral resident)*

Primary Supervisor Name & Role*

Brief Description of Supervisor's Experience*

Supervision Structure (frequency, format, theological reflection, feedback practices)*

Additional Mentors (if applicable)

Describe your church’s primary leadership and governance bodies (e.g., deacons, council, elders, committees)*

Which leadership bodies will the student attend?*

DeaconsChurch Council / Leadership TeamMinistry Team MeetingsOther (please describe)

How often will the student attend leadership meetings, and what will their role typically be (observer, participant, presenter)?*

Why is exposure to congregational leadership and governance important to the student’s ministerial formation in your context?*

How will your church prepare leadership bodies and the student to navigate confidentiality, trust, and appropriate participation?*

How does your church seek to practice hospitality toward leaders and learners who may bring different life experiences, theological perspectives, or vocational questions than those most common in your congregation?*

How will your church support a student’s exploration of ministry with care, patience, and faithfulness?*

How will you help staff and lay leaders understand the student’s role as a learner-in-ministry and support their presence within the life and leadership of the congregation?*

Please affirm the following formation commitments:*

Participate in program orientationProvide regular supervision with theological reflectionSupport participation in monthly cohort callsComplete mid-year and final evaluationsTreat the student as a minister-in-formation, not merely program staff

Financial Contribution (amount your church or organization will contribute toward the $10,000 annual placement cost)*

$3,000-5,000

Confirm that funds are budgeted and available for the placement period.*

YesNo

Church Leadership Representative Signature*

Church Leadership Representative Signature Date*

Date