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Ministry Internship Program

(info updated 3/11/2020)

APPLICATION LINK

 

MINISTRY INTERN Program

Summer 2020 or Academic Year 2020-2021

SUSQUEHANNA CONFERENCE

BOARD OF ORDAINED MINISTRY

(ENLISTMENT & INTERPRETATION COMMITTEE – E & I)

The Mission

United Methodist college students from the Susquehanna Conference may apply to become a ministry intern in a local church.  Internships are available for summer or academic years to help young people discern God’s call to ministry within their lives.  The intern works with a mentoring pastor who guides their work and provides opportunity to learning (both in leadership and conversation) in personal and professional areas. 

Internships Available  

A Summer Internship will be offered for a college student to work at a local church in the Susquehanna Annual Conference.  The summer intern work 12 weeks, 12-15 hours per week with a stipend of $2,500 ($500 given to the student, $2000 mailed directly to the school). 

An academic year internship is offered each year to a student at school within the Susquehanna Conference working in a Susquehanna Conference local church.  The Academic Year works 10-12 hours per week for both fall and spring semesters.  A stipend of $2,500 each semester ($5,000 total year) is mailed directly to the school. 

Summer and Academic Year interns must complete an application, references, and personal statement for consideration. Successful candidates will be required to complete a Learning and Serving Covenant defining ministry focus and opportunities for leadership, complete required clearances, and attend a one-day God’s Call event during the internships.

The Intern

The ministry intern must have at least a one-year affiliation with a United Methodist Church ministry (church or campus) within the bounds of The Susquehanna Conference.  The ministry intern should be at least a sophomore in good academic standing at a college or university.

The Mentoring Relationship 

Once interns are selected, the director will work with the intern, local pastors near the intern’s college, and the area District Superintendent to determine the placement.  Care will be taken to select not only churches, but pastors who will serve as caring, instructive mentors.  Once a match is made, interns and supervising pastors will meet together and develop a covenant relationship for the internship.  During the internship, effort should be made for the intern and supervising pastor to meet weekly.

Deadlines

Applications Due: April 30th, 2020                             Intern Announced: May 10th   , 2020

 

E&I Ministry Intern Director

For questions, please contact Rev. Brian Lucas at blucas@susumc.org or 570-351-1619.

 

APPLICATION LINK 

Ministry Intern Expectations

Summer 2020 OR Academic Year 2020-2021

As you venture into learning more about yourself and ministry, the Board of Ordained Ministry of the Susquehanna Conference encourages you to try new areas of ministry as you explore where God is calling you.  The following are expectations are used to define this opportunity for the intern and the mentoring pastor.

Basic Expectations

  • Intern submits copies of current child abuse, criminal background clearances, and FBI fingerprint or Affidavit, and any other requirements of the local church. The clearances completed form must be submitted with Learning and Serving Covenant.
  • Create a Learning and Serving Covenant in the first two weeks of the internship agreed upon by the intern and mentoring pastor. Include:
    • Dates and times of the internship, including vacation times per summer/academic calendar
    • Learning objectives
    • Areas of ministry that points toward personal, professional, and practical growth in ministry and discernment
  • Determine regular meetings (weekly as possible) with the mentoring pastor and intern to discuss projects, discern call, and explore biblical call stories.
  • Reflections papers should be reviewed with supervising pastor, and a copy sent to the program director
  • Participate in a God’s Call event and share your ministry experience with others. 
  • If any questions or concerns arise, immediate contact should be made with Brian Lucas.

Summer Intern

  • Work 12 weeks 12-15 hours per week in a local church
  • Have a focus area/project, plus opportunity to see the daily work of a pastor
  • Complete a reflection paper 1-2 pages that answers
    • Where have you grown the most this semester?
    • What ministry/area of ministry has challenged you the most?
    • Where have you seen God as you intern with this local congregation?
  • A stipend of $500 will be given to the student and $2000 will be sent to your school at the end of the internship.

Academic Year Intern

  • Work 12-14 weeks per semester for 10-12 hours per week in a local church
  • Have a focus area/project, plus opportunity explore the other roles of pastoral ministry
  • Reflection Papers
    • End of fall semester complete a reflection 1-2 pages that answers:
      • Where have you grown the most this semester?
      • What ministry/area of ministry has challenged you the most?
      • Where have you seen God as you intern with this local congregation?
      • Changes that will be implemented for spring semester in your role
    • End of spring semester complete a 1 page reflection of the year answering:
      • How has this internship helped you discern your call or direction in ministry?
      • What are your next steps in your discernment process?
    • A stipend of $2500 is sent directly to your school each semester.

Intern Director: Rev. Brian Lucas, Christ UMC, Waynesboro PA 17268 570-351-1619 blucas@susumc.org


Learning and Serving Covenant Format

Intern Name                                      College/University

Church Placement                           Supervising Pastor

Summer or Academic Year Placement

Objectives of Internship

  • Three-Four objectives that you want to accomplish this year
    • Examples: To further discern my specific call to ministry; To reflect upon experiences with various members of the staff; To lead worship three times and preach twice

Personal Goals

  • Three-Six goals in each of these areas. Be sure they are clear and measureable.
  • Examples
    • Become more intentional regarding prayer, especially finding some way to focus on “listening” in prayer, rather than speaking. Read one book on prayer and practice that method for one month, even if I do not like it.
    • Re-commit to studying the Bible, rather than only focusing on books related to the Bible. Participate in a Disciple Bible Study through the church as a participant.
    • Begin a system of organization to prepare for unpredictable ministry schedules. Meet with three staff members to learn about their organizational methods.

Professional Goals

  • Examples
    • Weekly meetings with the Pastor to discuss ministry projects, call stories and my discernment process.
    • Attend staff meetings twice a month to see how the staff work collaborate and lead the church.
    • Visit each church committee once and reflect with the pastor on these visits.

Practical Goals

  • Examples
    • To conduct a survey among church members and non-members to assess the effectiveness of the website, and work with staff and the webmaster, providing ways that will increase usage of the website
    • Learn about small groups and lead a small group in the spring semester
    • Participate in visioning/leadership sessions with the church leadership to work collectively with the leaders to discern the future of the church
    • Learn the basic of Christian Education by visiting classes of all ages and then teaching in two classes with different age groups