This two-year residency program (with a possible third year extension) is for seminary graduates who wish to develop their skills for ministry and grow in their pastoral identity in a large congregational setting. This is an ordained position in which the Pastoral Resident learns and serves alongside the staff and congregation of White Memorial Presbyterian Church.
Through diverse ministry experiences, mentorship and supervision, the Pastoral Resident is encouraged to clarify gifts for ministry and identify areas of particular interest. In Let Your Life Speak Parker Palmer writes, “Vocation does not come from willfulness. It comes from listening.” Throughout the program, the Pastoral Resident is tasked with listening – to experience, to the wisdom of colleagues and to the reflections of the community—as they discern how God might be calling them to serve the Church.
New search beginning November 2025
The Pastoral Resident will have ongoing responsibilities in the areas of worship leadership, pastoral care, teaching and support for the Diaconate. Throughout the program, they will explore and engage all ministry areas including administration and governance, finance and stewardship, outreach, congregational engagement and faith formation with people of all ages.
The Pastoral Resident is supervised by Cate Church Norman, Associate Pastor for Pastoral Care and has opportunities to learn from all the pastors and program staff of White Memorial Presbyterian Church.
Before the start of the program, applicants must graduate with an M.Div. and be a Candidate for ordination in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
How To Apply
- Your reasons for seeking a call as a pastoral resident, especially at White Memorial.
- Your contact information, including phone and email.
- A description of a significant mentoring relationship and two or three ways it shaped you.
- How do your particular gifts, experience and training help you in the ministry setting you believe God is calling you?
- Explain with theological details what areas of ministry you value most in your calling.
- Describe a moment when you have “served using your energy, intelligence, imagination and love”, that led change positively.
- Please describe how you have dealt with failure or disappointment before.
- Describe a moment in your recent ministry that you recognize as one of effectiveness and fulfillment.
Please submit your references with contact information with your application.
You may have your seminary email your transcripts to residency@whitememorial.org or mail them to:
Attention: Residency Program
White Memorial Presbyterian Church
1704 Oberlin Road
Raleigh, NC 27608
Applications should be emailed or mailed to:
Attention: Residency Program
White Memorial Presbyterian Church
1704 Oberlin Road
Raleigh, NC 27608
Deadline to submit application is January 16, 2026. Pastoral Residency begins August 3, 2026.
Selected finalists will be interviewed via Zoom or in person. Final interviews will be scheduled in Raleigh, NC in late February/early March.
Questions? Please contact Rev. Cate Church Norman at cchurchnorman@whitememorial.org.
Lee Hunter
Current Resident
Cate Church Norman
Residency Supervisor
Christopher Edmonston
Pastor and Head of Staff
About White Memorial
White Memorial Presbyterian Church is a 4,400-member congregation situated in the heart of Raleigh. At WMPC we worship, embrace and serve in order that we might lend our voices to the proclamation of Jesus Christ and his love. We strive to be a community dedicated to the proclamation of God’s good news and to serving our neighbors.
Worship stands at the center of all that we do at WMPC. Each week we seek to glorify God through engaging worship experiences in both our traditional Sanctuary services and our OnPoint service.
We provide welcoming spaces for all people to connect with community, learn and grow in their faith. Our church is home to many Adult Faith Formation classes and small groups, innovative children’s ministry programming, a robust youth ministry and a growing 20s + 30s community. We also offer opportunities to learn and connect with members across ages and stages through church-wide Bible studies and other events.
We put our faith into action by serving people and mission agencies in Raleigh and around the globe, supporting partner organizations through financial gifts, donated items and volunteers. We give and serve in grateful response to the grace of God and in obedience to Jesus’ call to love our neighbors.
Through the care of our pastors and the support of member-to-member caring ministries, we provide support to people through all of life’s challenges. Knowing that care requires attention to the body, mind, and spirit, our Congregational Care ministries prepare workshops, events and resources that benefit overall health and wellness.
It is difficult to capture the breadth and depth of ministry in this place in just a few paragraphs. We encourage you to look around at our website and social media pages to get to know our congregation.