The deadline for the Lead Pastor Residency (LPR) at Mars Hill Church is quickly approaching. This program, designed to shape experienced leaders in ministry to lead a Mars Hill church, is going into its third year. Pastor Ryan Williams, now the lead pastor of Mars Hill Everett, is a product of the Residency. One year into working as a lead pastor, we asked him to look back on his time as a lead pastor resident and share how his time in the program helped prepare him to be a lead pastor at Mars Hill.
Mars Hill: What is one of the most valuable, useful, practical ministry lessons from the Lead Pastor Residency that you’ve needed during your first year?
Ryan Williams: Understanding how to allocate my time as a lead pastor to be most effective. Focusing on raising up leaders, engaging missionally, and casting vision to my people from the Bible has been invaluable. I could spend a ton of time on a heap of unnecessary other things, but being focused on growing a healthy church through this has been invaluable.
MH: What is one of the most valuable/useful spiritual lessons from the residency that you’ve needed during your first year?
RW: Pastors come under heavy attack, especially the leader. Being aware of the aim of the enemy to get me tired, isolated, and hungry has helped me take steps to not be vulnerable to the enemy’s attacks.
MH: What is the biggest adjustment you’ve had to make, leaving the Lead Pastor Residency to become the lead pastor of Mars Hill Everett?
RW: Stepping out from under delegated responsibility and consistent supervision of what you’re doing to being responsible, spiritually and practically, for your church. There is an incredible weight to that. A ton of these answers can be found in a resurgence post I did.
MH: If a qualified brother approached you asking if he should apply for the Lead Pastor Residency, how would you encourage him?
RW: [It] depends entirely on who he is, what his story is, what he has done. If he is qualified and has led things, started things, developed and discipled people, then I would encourage him to apply. If he is still young and needs ministry experience and maturity, then I would encourage him to become an intern or take on greater responsibility in service to get prepared.
MH: Name one specific expectation you had during your residency about being a lead pastor that actually happened?
RW: That it would be hard. I have wept over the sin of my people and the frustrations of ministry, and have had to cast my burdens on the Lord and seek him for wisdom and the ability to love tough cases. Ministry is the toughest thing I have ever done and leading this church is the hardest thing I have ever done. But nothing good ever came from easy work.
MH: What was your favorite part of being a lead pastor resident?
RW: [My] favorite part of being an LPR was the camaraderie the residents had; we grew to really love and care for one another. Even now at whole church functions we love to catch up and see how all of us are doing. My wife and I love catching up with other residents and their wives.
MH: What is your favorite part/aspect of being a lead pastor?
RW: Favorite part of being a lead pastor is seeing God work in the flock he has entrusted to me. I know these people and their struggles and pains, and when the Lord works (saves, redeems, frees, etc.) I am so very encouraged and motivated to see more people meet our great King Jesus.
Applications are being accepted for the Lead Pastor Residency through May 1st. If God is calling you to be a lead pastor at Mars Hill, apply today.
