Each cohort of pastors is selected through a competitive application process that opens February through May every other year. The next application period will open February, 2024 for the 2025-2026 cohort.

The online application form requests education and ministry history and seven to nine 500-word essay questions, as well as an opportunity to upload a resume or CV. In addition to the completed online application form, three letters of recommendation are required by the submission deadline:

• One from a congregational leader (e.g., senior pastor, council president, board chair, moderator)
• One from a regional leader in applicant's communion or denomination (e.g., regional minister, district superintendent, synod or presbytery official, bishop)
• One from a person with whom the applicant has worked closely in some capacity (e.g., seminary professor, senior minister, colleague, mentor, former employer, another lay leader)

Letters are submitted via email directly to the Wabash Pastoral Leadership Program. Complete instructions and guidelines for writing a letter of recommendation are accessible from the application form.

Application materials are reviewed by a selection committee comprised of Lilly Endowment staff, program staff, previous program participants, and representatives of Wabash College.

Applicants are notified of their status for the upcoming cohort by June 15.