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 9-month program where 4-6 recent college graduates 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 intentional living, 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
• Housing in Chico for Associates provided by Bidwell Presbyterian Church
• A ¾ or full-time job in Chico in the Associate’s field of interest OR a ¾ or full-time job at BPC in the Associate’s church ministry of interest
• 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.
HOW DOES HOUSING WORK?
We are committed to intentional living which includes comfort, accessibility to Chico, and room enough for all Associates in our program. Housing is provided by BPC.
HOW DOES JOB PLACEMENT WORK?
We have a committee of people who are networked in Chico in fields like education, medicine, social services, business, and counseling, not to mention church. This committee will work with organizations who have buy-in with our Leadership Institute to place you in a 32-hour/week job that provides personal income and experience in your field of interest. If you choose the church track, we will place you in a 32-hour/week job at Bidwell Presbyterian Church in your ministry of interest.
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 Labor Day, Monday, September 4th. We will finish moving in, gather for an intro to the program, and go out to dinner that night in Chico! The program goes until Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, 2024.
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.
IS THERE ANY FREE TIME?
Absolutely. We are committed to ensuring you have a 24-hour Sabbath – a time of intentional rest without work or ministry. You will be working 32 hours, serving in ministry for 6 hours, and in learning environments for 6-7 hours every week (including the seminar, weekly meals, and bible studies). In addition, we will organize fun adventures on a regular basis for all Associates. The rest of the time is yours.
WHAT DOES THE CONGREGATION EXPECT OF ME?
You will be expected to be a servant leader at Bidwell Presbyterian Church, serving in ministry for six hours per week (this would not include your 32-hour work week if you were an employee at BPC). In turn, 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.