Church of the Cross

PASTORAL RESIDENCY PROGRAM

The Church of the Cross Pastoral Residency is what Anglicans call a "curacy" – a formative period when a young pastor is trained and equipped for a lifetime of senior church leadership. This three-year experience is designed to train and equip emerging senior church leaders for leadership in the Anglican tradition. Like a research hospital, the pastoral residency provides gifted leaders with hands-on training as they transition from formal theological training into long-term practice. With the generous support and expert guidance of Made to Flourish, the residency, a paid position with full benefits, provides a wide-range of potential ministry opportunities suited to each resident's gifts, abilities, and eventual ministry focus, with several forms of mentorship available.

OUR CHURCH

In 2008, 12 individuals gathered to pray and share a meal, forming the foundation of what would become the Boston Anglican Mission. The following year, the community welcomed its first pastor and began to convene regularly for worship under the name Church of the Cross. This marked the beginning of a significant growth phase. Over the next 11 years, the church evolved, transitioning from evening to Sunday morning services at its current location in Boston’s Fenway neighborhood. Following the departure of the first pastor in 2020, the congregation welcomed Dave Friedrich as the senior pastor in 2021. Currently, Church of the Cross proudly hosts a congregation of over 170 attendees each week, complemented by a lively group of over 60 children. Given our consistent growth, we are exploring the potential of adding a second service in the upcoming year.

OUR CONTEXT

Church of the Cross is a missional family in the heart of Boston. Founded in 1630, Boston is the oldest major city in the United States and is filled with reminders of the American Revolution and historically significant sites such as the Paul Revere House, the USS Constitution, and the Freedom Trail. Depending on where you draw the geographic boundary, the Boston area has between 50 and 100 colleges and universities. Many at Church of the Cross are students who came to the area originally to pursue a degree or work at one of the many universities in our city. There is also a growing hub of healthcare-related technology and industry in Boston, drawing many who work in these fields to the city and to our church. According to Pew research data, Massachusetts is tied for the least religious state in the country: 58% of residents identify as Christian, but only 23% (of any religion) attend weekly services. Calling people toward Jesus in a city that places such a high value on intellect while also being very skeptical of the Christian message is challenging and requires ministers to be nuanced and patient. While we worship in downtown Boston, members come from all over the city and the greater Boston area, representing many different towns and neighborhoods. As we look to the future, our vision includes fostering the growth of Anglican church plants throughout these communities.

APPLICATION TIMELINE

APPLICATION/REFERENCES DUE
January 20th, 2024

INTERVIEWS
February 2024

RESIDENT SELECTION DATE
March 2024

RESIDENCY YEARS
July 2024–June 2027