Pastor-in-Residence

About the Mission

The Pastor in Residence program was formed as a 501c3 not-for-profit organization in 1996. PIR started as a restoration ministry for pastors in transition under the direction of Reverend Charles Wickman.

History

In 1988 the Reverend Charles Wickman, a Senior Pastor in California, put the program together and used it at his church to aid in returning three exited pastors to vocational ministry. It was the subject of Mr. Wickman’s doctoral thesis at Trinity Evangelical Divinity Seminary in Illinois and out of his thesis the first draft of the General Guide, Especially for Pastors Guide, and the Affirmations Workbook were created. PIR broadened its reach when, at Dr. Wickman’s retirement from the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in 1997, it became a national ministry.

PIR and American Missionary Fellowship (AMF) entered a strategic partnership combining the strengths of the two organizations. AMF brings a rich 192 year history of planting Sunday Schools and churches nationwide. PIR offers resources for helping exited pastors, refuge churches, and refuge networks in providing a caring restorational environment. Research shows that nearly 1,500 pastors are exited from their church each month. Pastors who are part of the AMF network are not exempt from these statistics, so PIR will be a great resource for AMF in addressing these issues.

Vision

To effectively enlist churches in every state to adopt the PIR ministry, working with exited and often despairing pastors toward their return to their ministry calling and to heighten the awareness of God’s people to the pastoral exodus phenomena in the United States.

Mission

To encourage and support pastors during the vocational transitions of their lives, to provide exited pastors with spiritual and emotional support as they resolve personal pain and conflict, and to counsel exited pastors toward possible re-entry into full-time service.

2012 Goals

1. Increase the numbers of exited pastors in the program to no less than twenty-five a year
2. Develop a pastors-at-risk arm.
3. Recruit no fewer than two additional regional directors.

Please pray for:

1. The Board and Staff.
2. Exited pastors in the program in Virginia, Pennsylvania, Idaho, Ohio, and Arizona.
3. Estimated 200 pastors who call the PIR offices each year for counsel and direction, some exited and others in significant stress.