STORYLINE RESIDENCY
Two years.
Best-in-class leaders.
Real ministry experience.
The Storyline Residency exists to help you grow into the person God is calling you to be through theological education, hands-on ministry experience, and intentional leadership development, all within the life of a local church.
At Storyline Church, we exist to live in God's story by knowing Jesus and loving all people. The Storyline Residency is an opportunity to do exactly that—to go deeper into the gospel, be shaped by Scripture, grow as a disciple, live in community, and join the mission of sharing the good news with the world.
We believe God is moving at Storyline Church. We want you to be a part of it.
Three key elements of the residency
1. Ministry Experience
Learn ministry by actually doing it. You'll serve in one of four ministry areas: Family Discipleship, Adult Discipleship, The Salt Company, or Worship Ministry. You'll learn practical skills, grow in responsibility, and live out what it means to serve members of the local church. We work together to discover and refine your unique skills, passions, and experiences that shape you as a minister of the gospel.
2. Theological Education
Build a strong theological foundation while earning 39 credits toward a Master of Divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. The Residency includes the core M.Div. coursework you'll need to build a foundation for faithful ministry. All residents will have the first 21 credits covered through The Storyline Institute. Courses include:
Introduction to the Old Testament I & II
Introduction to the New Testament I & II
Personal Evangelism & Devotion
Systematic Theology I & II
Introduction to Missiology
Christian Leadership
Christian Preaching (Men) / Christian Teaching (Women)
Preaching Practicum (Men) / Introduction to Biblical Worship (Women)
Discipleship Ministry
Biblical Counseling & Personal Ministry of the Word
The goal is not simply to study, but to have opportunities for direct ministry application.
3. Leadership Skills
Ministry requires more than theological knowledge. It requires the ability to lead people, navigate complexity, build healthy teams, and make wise decisions. We want you to graduate with the character, emotional intelligence, and practical leadership skills to serve wherever God calls you next.
“I have learned how to receive and give good and helpful feedback”
“I learned how to plan and execute events”
“ In residency, I have learned how to clearly communicate and cast vision”
“ I’ve learned how to problem-solve in a variety of ministry settings”
What a week looks like
Education 10 hours: seminary coursework and theological training
Storyline Team 10 hours: staff meetings, Sunday ministry, and life together as a team
Ministry Emphasis 20 hours: hands-on experience in your area of ministry
Find your ministry Emphasis
Reach and equip kids, students, and families through some of life’s most formative seasons. You’ll gain experience equipping parents, building/scaling kids and student ministries, developing leaders, and teaching the next generation to know Jesus and love all people.
Grow disciples in story, belief, and formation through intentional discipleship spaces like Groups, Bible Study, and The Storyline Institute. You’ll gain hands-on experience, cultivate meaningful relationships, develop leadership skills, and become equipped to follow Jesus and disciple others.
Reach and disciple college students through one of the most pivotal seasons of life. You'll gain experience building relationships, leading discipleship, developing leaders, and proclaiming the gospel to the next generation.
worship
ministry
Learn how to form and lead the worship culture of a local church as part of the broader mission to make disciples. Grow as a theologically formed, pastorally wise, musically gifted leader ready to lead in our church plants and in the broader evangelical church.
residency at a glance
Length: 23 Months (July through end of May)
Application Deadline: January 31, 2027 (application and ministry interviews)
Housing: Residents are responsible for their own housing; many residents choose to live together or near one another
Location: Storyline Church, Arvada, CO
Support: 100% of Residents have met their fundraising goal every year
Benefits: Available and can be opted into through additional fundraised support
Membership: Residents agree to become members of Storyline Church, affirming our Statement of Faith, Mission, and Values
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Whether this is your first step toward vocational ministry or your next step, the Residency is designed for people who want to grow in theological depth, ministry experience, and leadership.
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All residents will have the first 21 credits covered through The Storyline Institute. Residents will support-raise (or pay themselves) the amount needed to cover the remaining 18 credits.
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We partner with Reliant to help Residents fundraise their support. Support-raising can feel daunting, but it is also an opportunity to invite others to invest in what God is doing through you and your ministry. We believe God provides for those with a burden to learn and do the work here.
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We want the Residency to prepare you for wherever God calls you next. We'll help you make connections to ministry opportunities and discern your next step. And, of course, we'd love for some of our Residents to become part of the Storyline staff for years to come.
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We work together to find the best fit for you based on your skills, passions, experience, and availability. We'll consider your preferences while also looking at where you can best serve and grow.
What’s your next step?
You don't have to have your whole future figured out. If you know you want to know Jesus more deeply, grow as a leader, serve the local church, and explore where God may be calling you next, we'd love to meet you.