A typical candidate is a full-time pastor with a terminal degree in biblical or theological studies. The program is designed for highly qualified candidates whose primary vocation and social location is the local church. The conversations and curriculum for the fellowship term assume advanced training in biblical and/or theological studies, as well as regular ministry involvement in the life of a worshipping community. A meaningful percentage of our fellows also work in academic, parachurch, and publishing fields. In considering applications, preference is given to those whose calling and trajectory best fit the program’s goals, while understanding that career paths can shift and paid church positions are not always available to those with pastoral gifts and callings.

No. The program is designed to be relevant to those serving in a variety of church ministry roles.

Yes, although strong preference is given to those currently serving in local church ministry.

Yes. Though preference is given to those serving in local church ministry, we reserve some seats in our fellowships for academic pastor theologians whose vocation aligns well with our goals for the fellows program.

Yes. Qualified female candidates living out or pursuing a calling to church ministry are strongly encouraged to apply.

$1,500 per year for each of the six years of the program. Fellows may also elect to pay monthly at the rate of $135/mo, making for $1,620 total for the year.

We have limited funds available for accepted applicants who demonstrate financial need. Those unsure if they or their church/institution can cover the cost to participate are still encouraged to apply. Please contact our director of programs, Zachary Wagner, if you have further questions about this.

Our fellowships include pastor theologians from a wide spectrum of evangelical traditions (e.g. Baptist, Presbyterian, Pentecostal, Anglican, etc.). Thus, each group has members who disagree on all manner of secondary and tertiary theological issues such as the mode of baptism, church polity, the gifts of the Spirit, and women’s ordination. Participants need not ascribe to a particular view on any of these issues, though they must sign our Standards for Christian Fellowship, which requires a spirit of charity towards others with differing views on such issues.

While we do not have a formal doctrinal statement, all would-be fellows are required to sign our Standards for Christian Fellowship, which commits members “to promote, in our ministries and in our own lives, the standards of sexual purity appointed in Scripture. We will uphold sexual purity both positively, in the encouragement of holy singleness and holy matrimony, and negatively, in abstaining from and opposing sexual misconduct (such as, sexual relations outside of marriage, sexual harassment, sexual abuse, same-gender sexual practice, and pornography).”

Yes. Though successful applicants typically have PhDs, we do consider DMin applicants whose ministry, writing, or research background makes them strong candidates for the fellows program. We also understand that not all church traditions have a subculture that promotes or allows for PhD-style research. These factors are taken into account in considering applications.

Yes, although preference is given to applicants who have already completed or are very near completing their degree. Your application will be considered holistically and we do at times accept applicants who have not yet finished their PhD. 

Because of recent updates to the Fellows Program, we request for anyone who applied before January 1, 2025, to reapply. This ensures that all applicants’ information is up-to-date and that they are aware of the program’s current structure and expectations. Applicants can, of course, resubmit materials used in their previous application.

Attendance at all annual in-person meetings is expected, with the understanding that unforeseen circumstances may arise that prevent being at a particular gathering. Missing two consecutive in-person meetings or more than two total will jeopardize a fellow’s ongoing involvement in a fellowship, except in exceptional cases. Consistent participation in virtual meetings (bi-monthly, 60–90 minutes) is also expected.

All meals are provided for fellows during their annual meeting in Oak Park, IL. Full travel and lodging assistance are also made available on request. 

In addition to those noted above, fellows receive many benefits from participation. These include access to the ATLA research database, discounted attendance at our annual conference, paid opportunities to lead other Center for Pastor Theologians programs and cohorts, and much more. See our Fellows Prospectus for more details.

The six-year pastor theologian fellowship is designed with early- to early/mid-career ministers in mind. However, there is the possibility of applicants in a different stage joining an existing fellowship, including direct admission to our Senior Fellowship.

More seasoned pastor theologians are strongly encouraged to apply. As relevant, qualified applicants will be given opportunity to join our fellows community in a group that suits their career stage.

After completing their six-year term, fellows will be invited to apply to our Senior Fellowship, which meets every March in Oak Park, IL. Our goal is to provide fellows with a community, platform, and support structure for decades of faithful ministry.

Further questions about the application process, documents, etc. can be sent to rpaul@pastortheologians.com. Questions about the fellows program can be sent to zwagner@pastortheologians.com.