FAQs
Who is the sponsor?
The CPR is sponsored by Anglican Associates, Inc. (AAI) which is a nonprofit corporation. The eight men who compose the AAI leadership are a combination of lay and ordained Anglicans who love Jesus and want to see His kingdom advanced. In addition to church leadership, they have backgrounds in law, finance, and small business.
Who will be CPR’s Leader/Mentors?
AAI is headed by our Executive Director, The Rev. Dr. Jon Shuler. Jon has decades of experience in ministry and church planting. He’s joined by a group of experienced and effective mentors from across the country who’ll offer subject-specific guidance and mentorship.
Do candidates have to be ordained?
No, but successful candidates will need to reflect the biblical characteristics of elders.
Must a candidate be an Anglican?
No. Our desire is to see an increasing number of spiritually healthy, well-prepared men planting gospel-centered churches. And you don’t have to be Anglican to do that. AAI values accomplishing the foregoing desire more than we value who gets it done. AAI is characterized by a generous flexibility toward other orthodox believers. Nevertheless, because AAI is led by men who are Anglicans by conviction, the program will both lean on Anglican leaders across the country and make use of the riches of the Anglican tradition.
How and when do I apply?
How much does it cost?
We pay you. Through God’s provision and the generosity of donors, we’re able to pay your travel expenses to and from the residency and your books and supplies. And we’ll pay you a monthly stipend.
How does the residency work?
The residency has two parts: six training weeks in the Fall, and six in the Spring (with December off). During each training week (which generally happens twice a month), our residents travel to the training site, arriving in time for the first session on Tuesday, at 3:00-5:00pm. The training continues on Wednesdays (8:30am-4:00pm) and Thursdays (8:30-noon). The residents then return to their homes. Our goal is to foster relationships among each residency cohort and thoroughly train each resident. We also have two specific times that include residents’ spouses.
What will I learn?
The residency curriculum, which is designed to be intensely practical, will cover approximately 48 Training Units, over twelve ‘weeks' of residence. The units address, among other things, financial stewardship, church-planting leadership, team leadership, self-awareness training, and church governance best-practices. We’ll address everything from legal compliance to emotional intelligence, from what to do during the first 100 days to one’s long-term vision, from raising support to handling one’s personal finances, from spiritual warfare to conflict resolution and staff hiring and development.
Where is the CPR held?
The training units are held at different places throughout the country—though primarily in Little Rock.
Does this lead to a degree?
No, but a Certificate of Completion will be awarded to those who successfully fulfill the residency.
Must I be sponsored by my bishop, senior pastor, or church?
In most cases, successful applicants and residents will have the express support of those who exercise authority of them.
Will I be expected to plant a church after completing the residency?
Yes, the purpose of the residency is to produce orthodox, godly, well-prepared men who effectively plant gospel-centered churches.
Must my church plant be an Anglican plant?
No. See our answer, above, to whether applicants must be Anglican.
How many residents will be selected?
Our first-year target is five residents in the cohort.
What expectations are placed on the Residents during the nine month program?
Along with the normal day-to-day and week-to-week experience of the Residency Program itself, residents are expected to read several books and journal articles for discussion and ultimately develop and present a Strategic Ministry Plan for their Church Plant. During the off weeks when residents don’t gather together, they are expected to continue developing their plans.
Will the Residency have a track for leaders called to revitalizing existing congregations?
We are open to considering this.