This nine-month leadership training program is for those considering church planting in New York City with a two-to-three year runway. The program provides a focused exposure to urban ministry experiences, exploring topics such as theological vision, gospel framework and renewal, ministry longevity, and discipleship.

Fellows Program

Church Planting Training

Fellows Program

Who is Fellows For?

Who is Fellows For?

Fellows Program candidates are men and women who are developed in a contextualized learning environment that prepares them further for church planting in NYC. This program allows a two-three year runway of concentrated, specialized training to allow future planters to invest intentionally in their spiritual, personal, leadership, and ministry development.

Coursework centers on

Jesus

A return to Jesus and lessons on incarnational church planting

Gospel

Renewal, Gospel resiliency and spiritual practices for humble leadership

Mission

Prayer, evangelism and discipleship for kingdom impact

Team

Developing a core team shaped by the Gospel and equipped for missional living

Ideal Candidates

  • Ordained or on an ordination track

  • Affiliated with a church planting network, denomination and/or existing church

  • Exploring a sense of calling to church planting

  • Have proven character and integrity

  • Have prior ministry experience

  • A resident of NYC by the start of the training program

fellows

Frequently Asked Questions

  • No. This program is only available within New York City.

  • Thanks to the generosity of our giving community, City to City NYC covers training materials and meals.

  • Before you proceed with the application process, please also review the expectations below to determine whether the program is right for you.

    • You plan to plant a new congregation/parish in the greater NYC area in partnership with a supporting church or denomination.

    • You will make every effort to complete each of the critical steps in the process of starting this new congregation, including developing a proposal, recruiting a launch team, and raising the necessary financial resources.

    • You will take the initiative to regularly update the Fellows program staff on the status of your church planting project and all related activities. At any time during the program, if you are unable to continue with this church planting project or if you engage in conduct unbecoming a minister of the gospel (e.g. moral issues), you will inform program staff immediately.

    • You will complete all of the assigned reading before arriving at each session.

    • You will attend each of the Fellows sessions in their entirety. Repeated absences from these sessions may be grounds for dismissal from the program even if you give advance notice that you will be absent. Most program sessions take place early on Wednesday evenings. A detailed program calendar will be provided after admission, and you will need to plan ahead to avoid conflicts with the dates provided.

  • June 30 is the final deadline for candidates to apply for the September cohort. Generally, candidates will be informed of the admission decision at least one month prior to the start date. Admission extensions may be granted in extenuating circumstances. Please send all inquiries about application extensions here.

Interested in learning if you qualify to participate in the Fellows Program?