Harvest Training Center Application

Online application for residency to the Harvest Training Center. Prior to completion, please read our HTC FAQs.

Application may be saved and completed in more than one sitting (user account registration required).

INSTRUCTIONS I. Register here for a user account. This is required to apply online. Make note of your user name and password in order to reopen your saved and unsubmitted application. II. Complete and submit this application online. You may save your unfinished application and complete it in more than one sitting. We recommend printing it out in entirety for your records when you are finished. Additional forms and documentation are required where indicated, and downloadable as needed. Complete and assemble all additional documentation as requested, and mail *in one package* to: Harvest Bible Fellowship 1000 North Randall Road Elgin, IL 60123 Attn: Bill Molinari Note: Applications will not begin to be processed until all components have been received. 1. Fill out the application completely. Some questions may probe into areas that are uncomfortable for you. Be honest, transparent, and humble. 2. Include a recent photo of yourself in the documentation package. 3. Request official transcripts from all Bible schools and/or seminaries attended. This program requires thirty semester hours of biblical and theological studies, preferably at the graduate level. Have the requested transcripts sent to you. Include them, unopened, in your documentation packet. 4. Include your resumé. 5. Submit references from each of the following: (1) a pastor or elder at your current church; (2) someone who has served with you in ministry; (3) a close friend who is a mature Christian; and (4) your wife, if applicable. Use the forms provided. Have the references sent to you in a sealed envelope. Include them, unopened, in your documentation packet. 6. Be prepared to provide a sample sermon in either CD or DVD format, or accessible online, where indicated. 7. Take and/or be prepared to give your DiSC personality profile test score. The application asks for your four-digit score on the DiSC personality profile. If you have never taken the DiSC profile, you can take the test online or order a copy at www.discprofile.com. 8. Submit your package prior to April 1. This is the annual application deadline for those desiring admission in the fall. Space is limited; applicants are encouraged to submit their packet as early as possible. When we receive your packet, it will be reviewed by the leadership of Harvest Bible Fellowship. You will be notified within one month as to whether you may proceed to the next step (a series of phone interviews). NOTE: Should your plans change and you wish to remove your application from consideration, please notify us as soon as possible.
GENERAL INFORMATION
First Name
Middle Name
Last Name
Mailing Address
Home Phone
Office Phone
Cell Phone
Email Address
Date of Birth
Place of Birth
Race
Gender
Country of Citizenship
What is your first language?
If you are a foreign national, what is your visa status?
Marital Status
Name of your spouse or fiancé
If you (or your wife) have ever been divorced, widowed, or a single parent, explain the circumstances.
Family Circumstances
Anticipated date of enrollment in Fall of
MOTIVATION
How did you learn about the Harvest Training Center?
What is your interest in attending this program? Why do you want to be a pastor within the Harvest Bible Fellowship?
Interest
SPIRITUAL HISTORY
Were you raised in a Christian household?
When did you come to faith in Christ?
Have you been baptized?
In what mode?
Who have been your most significant spiritual mentors? How did they help you?
Describe your conversion experience, citing Scripture where appropriate. Briefly summarize your spiritual pilgrimage since conversion, mentioning significant experiences the Lord has brought into your life.
Conversion Experience
FAMILY
If married, how did you meet your wife? How long have you been married? If engaged, when do you plan to be married?
Marriage/Engagement
How would you evaluate the strength of your marriage? What would your wife say?
Do you have children? How many? What are their names and ages?
How would you evaluate the strength of your relationship with them?
Do you have any special circumstances in your family that could create hardships during your residency in this program, such as chronic illness, pregnancy, or a special needs child? Explain.
Special Circumstances
CHARACTER
How would you assess your own character in light of the qualifications for pastors and elders in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9? What are your strengths? Weaknesses? If married, would your wife agree with your assessment?
Elder Qualifications
If married, how would you assess your wife’s character in light of 1 Timothy 3:11 and Titus 2:3-5? What are her strengths? Weaknesses? Would she agree with your assessment?
Wife's Character
Have you or your wife ever had counseling (other than premarital counseling)? Explain
Is there anything in your life—past or present—that could compromise your ability to lead a church effectively?
Leading a church
Have you ever experienced addictive behavior to: food; drugs; pornography; gambling; alcohol; etc.? If so, describe the situation and explain your current circumstances regarding it.
Addictive Behaviors
Have you ever been under formal church discipline? What about your spouse or children? Explain
Have you ever been convicted of a crime other than traffic violations?
If yes, please explain the circumstances, including the nature of the offense, date of conviction, any sentence imposed, any time served, etc.
Criminal Background
If admitted to the program, are you willing to be humble and transparent, so that others can hold you accountable for spiritual growth and change?
Transparency
PERSONAL INSIGHTS
What leisure activities do you enjoy?
Give the titles of the last two books you have read on ministry, and the last two of general interest. To what magazines do you subscribe?
Books and Magazines
How much television or leisure screen time do you normally view in a day? (Include in this total time spent playing video games, computer games or surfing the internet.) What are your favorite programs? Games? Sites?
Screen Time
Do you have relationships with non-believers? If so, describe them
When did you last lead someone to Christ? How often do you share the Gospel with others?
Would you say your home is "given to hospitality"?
Describe your spiritual disciplines. How much time per week do you typically spend in Bible study and prayer?
Spiritual Disciplines
PERSONALITY PROFILE
Record the four-digit score of your DiSC personality profile. If you have never taken the DiSC profile, you can take the test online or order a copy at www.discprofile.com. Choose the Classic version; no supplements are necessary. Note: We are not looking for a specific type of personality. This is only a means of getting to know you better. Enter scores below...
D
i
S
C
The classic pattern is
Do you agree with their assessment?
CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
Name of Church
Senior Pastor
Address
City, State, ZIP
Phone
Website
Denominational Affiliation
How long have you attended this church?
Are you currently a member?
What has been the extent of your involvement in the ministry of this church?
Does your senior pastor know that you are pursuing this opportunity with Harvest Bible Fellowship? Do you have his support? If not, please explain. (Note: If you are the senior pastor, do you have the support of your elder board chairman?)
Sr. Pastor knowledge of this opportunity?
MINISTRY
Describe your call to ministry. Briefly summarize the extent of your church involvement, listing ministries in which you have been active and experiences you have had.
Call to ministry
How has your church affirmed your sense of calling and your fitness for ministry? Have you been ordained? If so, by whom and when?
Affirmation through church
What would you say are your spiritual gifts or ministry strengths? How have these been confirmed?
What, if any, are areas of weakness in your present ministry?
Have you ever participated in a short or long-term missions trip? Where? Do you regularly support missions and/or Christian parachurch ministries? Which ones?
Missions trips
PREACHING
Articulate briefly your philosophy of preaching
Who is your favorite preacher? Who else had significant influence on your own preaching?
Please send us a sample sermon in either CD or DVD format. It should represent your best, most recent work. Alternatively, if your sermon is posted online, please provide us with a link to the website.
Please check one of the following
Sample Sermon Website
Sample Sermon Text?
Sample Sermon Theme?
Does your message address a specific need or special occasion? Explain
LEADERSHIP
What leadership roles have you had within the church? Outside the church?
Please articulate briefly your philosophy of leadership. Share a situation where you led or influenced a group in a positive direction. Explain the situation, the steps you took to address the situation, and the outcome.
Philosophy of Leadership/Leadership Situation
BELIEF AND PRACTICE
Are you in enthusiastic agreement with the Harvest Statement of Faith? Are there any points that you would not be able to preach with equal passion and vigor? Explain.
Position on Harvest's Statement of Faith
Are you in enthusiastic agreement with the Harvest philosophy of ministry as delineated in the Four Pillars and the Worship/Walk/Work paradigm of discipleship? Are there any points of disagreement? Explain.
Harvest philosophy of ministry
EDUCATION
List all schools attended above high school. Request official transcripts from all Bible schools and/or seminaries attended. Have the transcripts sent to you. Then forward them to us, unopened, as part of your application packet.
School 1:
School Name
Degree
Major
Year
School 2:
School Name
Degree
Major
Year
School 3:
School Name
Degree
Major
Year
Which of these programs included at least thirty semester hours of Bible and theology? Have you had other training or experiences that should be taken into account?
Bible and Theology classes
Who was your favorite professor? Why?
EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCE
If currently employed, indicate position
Company
Type of business
How long?
What other business and/or military experience have you had?
Have you ever been dismissed from a position?
If yes, please explain
FINANCIAL MATTERS
Each resident receives from the Harvest Bible Fellowship a monthly stipend of $2,500. We also provide an apartment for the resident and his family, which is valued at about $1,000 per month (utilities are the responsibility of the resident). We do not provide health insurance. Residents desiring coverage must extend their current plan through COBRA or else obtain a private plan. We can assist you in finding an affordable plan. The resident also bears the cost of moving to Chicago, with the core group covering their move at the end of the program. Other costs may include a laptop, Bible software and books, if the resident does not already possess them. Salaries will be determined at the end of the program, and can vary widely, based on the size of the core group, the amount of financial resources it has, and the cost of living in the target area.
Do you have a household bugdet? Are you able to live within your monthly income? Explain
Do you have any dept that might impede on your ability to finish the program? Explain
Will your spouse need to work outside of the home to make ends meet? Explain
We expect each resident to raise $7,000 of his own support (HBF commits to raising the rest). Do you anticipate any problems here? Explain.
Fundraising
REFERENCES
Submit four reference forms. One reference must be a pastor or elder at your current church. Another must be someone who has served with you in ministry, whether in a vocational or volunteer capacity. The third can be any mature Christian who knows you well, other than your spouse. The fourth is to be completed by your spouse, if applicable.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Harvest Training Center Residency is a challenging program, requiring occasional travel and intensive engagement, focus, and diligence from participants. Are you confident before our Lord that you have the physical stamina, motivation and commitment to rigorous study and the desire for positive growth in character and ministry skills necessary to complete the curriculum?
Commitment to program
Are you in complete agreement with Harvest’s Statement of Faith as well as our positions on certain debated issues (see Principles of Doctrine, Government and Practice)? Explain points of disagreement in the box below.
Doctrinal Agreement
Points of disagreement
Completing the Training Center program is not a guarantee of placement as a church planter. Harvest Training Center reserves the right to dismiss a resident who, in its judgment, does not conform to its Doctrinal Beliefs or Behavioral Standards. Do you agree to submit to the judgment of the Harvest Bible Fellowship concerning your fitness for placement as a Harvest church planter?
Submit to HBF's placement determination
FINISHING THE APPLICATION
By writing your name in the box below and by clicking the submit button, you agree that you have made all statements truthfully and with full intention to proceed with the application process. Furthermore, you agree to the standards and requirements outlined in this application.
Application Date
Applicant's Name