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Training Leaders

Watermark Institute

Preparing Tomorrow’s Church Leaders

Do you feel called to serve in vocational ministry? We can help you take the next step.

The Watermark Institute is designed to strengthen churches everywhere by investing in their future leaders—people like you. The Institute allows you to gain hands-on ministry experience and in-depth biblical instruction within a community of like-minded Christ followers.

Because it is an investment in the church, we provide the Institute at no cost to you, and even help cover some of your living expenses during the 10-month program.

Be a Part of the Institute!

The deadline for 2022-2023 class applications is February 1. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so spots may be filled before the deadline.

Apply Now!

What Makes the Watermark Institute Different?

We take a holistic approach—one that is focused not only on head knowledge, but on the condition of your heart, the work of your hands, and the overall health of the church.

  • It’s more than just a Bible study. You will be trained in theology and apologetics while learning the Bible cover-to-cover (and learning how to teach it to others). Our classes count for 12 hours of credit at Southern Baptist Seminary or Dallas Theological Seminary (with the possibility to earn even more through advanced standing exams).
  • It’s more than just an internship. Institute participants are immediately treated like members of the Watermark Community Church staff. You will get to do meaningful ministry work alongside church leaders who have been doing it for years. The goal is to help you deploy your gifts and get real pastoral experience, not just do busy work or the stuff that no one else wants to do.
  • It’s more than just training. We want you to fall more in love with Jesus and His people. Experience what authentic Christ-centered community is like, and gain a healthy vision for what the local church can and should be.

To hear an in-depth overview of the Institute, listen to Blake Holmes (Elder and Institute Director) on the "Training the Next Generation of Leaders" episode of the Church Leadership Podcast.

Getting on the Right Track

The Watermark Institute includes a Residency for recent college graduates, a Fellowship program for leaders with a few years of experience, and a Church Planting program for those with clear and specific intention to start a new church. Unsure which one is right for you? We can help.

Residency Fellowship
Age/Experience Recent college graduates, typically 22-24 years old. Gifted leaders with work experience, typically age 25+.
Time Commitment One full day of class each week, plus 10 hours working in ministry. One full day of class each week, plus 20 hours working in ministry.
Compensation Residents are provided with housing (or a housing allowance on a case by case basis) and have the ability to work part-time. Fellows are provided with housing (or a housing allowance on a case by case basis), receive a monthly stipend, and have the ability to work part-time.

Both Residents and Fellows get to gain experience within one or more of the ministry areas at Watermark Community Church. Ministry focus areas include:

  • Kids (Birth—5th Grade)
  • Students (6th Grade—12th Grade)
  • College
  • Young Adults
  • Community and Connecting
  • Equipping
  • Community Outreach
  • Marriage
  • Pastoral Care and Recovery Ministry
  • Worship
  • Communication
  • Production and Tech Arts
  • Watermark Health
  • Church Planting

Hear the Heart Behind the Institute

Listen as Elder and Institute Director Blake Holmes talks about the intent of the Watermark Institute and what they look for in candidates during this episode of the Church Leadership Podcast.

Listen Now

Watermark Institute

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