A KINGDOM CALLING MEANS DEVELOPING YOUR…
OUR PROGRAM
Bidwell Presbyterian Church wants to develop you and your sense of call in God’s kingdom. This program is our commitment to support and encourage you as a post-graduate, yet we know we will benefit as you bring your vitality to our congregation. We anticipate you will change us!
OUR COMMITMENT
Bidwell Presbyterian Church is situated in downtown Chico, CA next door to Chico State University. The Bidwell Leadership Institute is a 12-week program where 4-12 recent college graduates (and their co-mentors) develop their sense of vocation (calling) while living, working, and serving in Chico. Bidwell Presbyterian Church commits to co-mentoring and empowering these Associates as they grow spiritually and in their capacity for leadership. This includes co-mentoring, a post-grad leadership class, and adoption into the life of the congregation.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
• Immersion in an intentional Christian community alongside fellow Associates
• An Online post-grad leadership class by an accredited seminary professor
• A co-mentor from BPC to support, nurture, and encourage your journey
• Engaging ministry within a healthy, vibrant church in downtown Chico
• Foundations for lifelong leadership growth & development
• Foundations for lifelong spiritual formation
FAQ
HOW DO I APPLY?
The online application can be accessed here. We will contact you within a week of submitting your application.
IS THIS FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO STUDY RELIGION?
Spiritual formation is for Christians in every type of work from city planning to accounting to the theater to business marketing. Our seminary class would serve all of these influencers and leaders, including those considering full-time work in the church.
WHAT IF I WANT MORE EDUCATION OUTSIDE THIS PROGRAM?
Our commitment is to support and encourage you. So, yes, this could work if you were in an Online or local program. We would still place you in a job for personal income but would modify the work week to accommodate time for your studies. If you need an internship or fieldwork, we would place you in your field of interest in Chico.
WHO ELSE IS DOING THIS?
We’re looking for recent college graduates (ages 20-27) who are committed to Christ, teachable, and adaptable. Learning from and sharing with one another is a key component of this program. We would love to see associates from a wide range of personal backgrounds.
WHEN CAN I START?
The program begins the week of Labor Day in September. We will finish the program the week of Thanksgiving in November.
IS THE WEEKLY LEADERSHIP CLASS ACCREDITED?
Yes! It is accredited by Fuller Theological Seminary. This will be an asynchronous online class. The Associates will reflect on the content together once a week. You will receive graduate-level credits upon completing this program.
WHAT DOES THE CONGREGATION EXPECT OF ME?
You will be expected to be in a learning environment every week. The weeks will alternate between a classroom environment and a small group. We expect that you will become an agent of positive change at BPC, helping us in our commitments to go deeper with Christ and daring to serve together.