Meet CBFNC’s 2020 Pastors in Residence

Meet CBFNC’s 2020 Pastors in Residence As one of the three core initiatives of CBFNC’s Helping Pastors Thrive program, Pastor-in-Residence is a paid, four-week residential study leave offered to latecareer ministers of CBFNC congregations. Participants are provided housing and financial support at a CBFNC partner theological school and may participate in campus activities, utilize resources such as the library and faculty, and focus their time on professional development, spiritual formation and rest from the day-to-day work of pastoral ministry. CBFNC also provides support for each pastor’s congregation during the residency, if needed.

The inaugural Pastors-in-Residence completed their leave in the spring, just before the COVID-19 pandemic struck. Rev. Charles Bryan, pastor of First Baptist, Butner and Rev. Dr. Michael Parnell, pastor of Temple Baptist, Raleigh, were the first two to complete the new residency program.

REV. CHARLES BRYAN Rev. Bryan spent his residency at Gardner-Webb University with housing in an on-campus apartment in a graduate residence. After 36 years in ministry, seven of which have been at Frist, Butner, he says he had never had an extended leave. “I had never had a sabbatical or taken off more than one week at a time. I really felt like doing this residency would help me finish up my ministry,” he said.

In addition to speaking to students in a number of classes, Rev. Bryan used his leave to prepare his preaching schedule for the remainder year, relax and enjoy some of the University’s athletic events. He says he wanted a working sabbatical because he likes teaching, interacting with students and being in the classroom. “But the best part was the rest—to be able to truly step away,” he added. “This residency gave me the opportunity to actually rest and be refreshed in my ministry.”

Bryan says he is fortunate to have had a congregation that fully supported his leave and that his church has an associate pastor who could preach while he was away, and deacons who stepped up to help provide pastoral care. Rev. Charles Bryan

REV. DR. MICHAEL PARNELL Dr. Parnell spent his residency at Duke Divinity School and chose to commute to campus because of its proximity to home. While he admits that in hindsight, living on campus would have been advantageous, the drive each day gave him time to pause and clear his head.

“I decided to use my time to do some in-depth research on the parables of Jesus to maybe write a book or curriculum to remind the world that we need to meet Him again—or for the first time. But in four weeks, I only scratched the surface,” he said.

On his second day on campus, Dr. Parnell heard Jim Wallis, globally respected writer, teacher, preacher, and justice advocate, speak about polarization in our country. “Admittedly, I didn’t have a real plan in place when I started this residency. But I left that lecture with the deep impression that this issue is what I needed to work on during my leave,” said Parnell.

Parnell also attended the first CBFNC Workshop Retreat for Pastors while he was on leave. “That workshop retreat, which was on this very topic, provided more information for my study and insight from fellow clergy” he said.

In his 34 years of ministry, Parnell says this was the first time he had ever had any leave beyond taking a week here and there for vacation. “The exposure to Duke Divinity School was a tremendous blessing. This residency gave me the chance to really step away. It was reinvigorating for me and for my ministry” he said.

Parnell offers some advice for those who may consider taking part in the Pastor-in-Residence program. “First, stay on campus to get the full experience. And don’t be worried about having a plan formalized before you begin. Be open to where the Holy Spirit may lead you,” he said. Rev. Dr. Mike Parnell

As of this magazine’s printing, CBFNC’s Helping Pastors Thrive program is currently seeking applicants for the Pastor-inResidence program in the fall. The application is due August 1, 2020 and is available online at: helpingpastorsthrive.org. Dates of the residency may change due to the COVID-19 pandemic.