I had the opportunity to intern at a church for the first time this summer. With two years of college under my belt, I knew that I was prepared to go deeper into the ministry world. I was hopeful to see what my next steps could be through an internship. Here is what I discovered: being able to intern at a church was one of the best ways I have been able to serve and grow in my life so far. Specifically, my internship provided more room and four new spaces for me to experience ministry.
Room at the Table
I’m thankful to have been part of local churches where the younger generation is valued and poured into. My internship church provided a new space for me to be poured into. There was room at the table for me to sit, watch, and voice my opinions. I had the opportunity to attend all of the staff meetings and even a staff retreat. I didn’t talk for 99 percent of the meetings, but my silent presence was still valued. The staff asked me for my opinions sometimes. The staff members made me feel wanted and valuable regardless of the amount of experience I have had.
One question that popped into my head when reflecting on my internship experience was this: Without utilizing the next generation of ministers, how will they become interested in ministry? As a young minister, there is something special about being included at the table and getting to see ministry being done. I found excitement in looking to the future and envisioning being at the table doing ministry, too.
“Without utilizing the next generation of ministers, how will they become interested in ministry?”
Room to Explore
There were multiple times during my internship where I got asked to join random meetings. I got to sit in on small group leader meetings, pastoral care visits, and even a dinner with a couple from an unreached community in the area. Seeing the different areas of ministry was a great opportunity to get a grasp for what my heart is drawn to.
Internships are a great way for the next generation of ministers to find their calling by having the opportunity to explore. Some people might have a strong and specific call from God, yet a lot of people feel the call to ministry but they don’t know where. Exploring different areas can help them seek and find further clarification.
Room to Grow and Fail
Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve always wanted to be a teacher, but in college, I discovered that I wanted to teach the Bible. For my internship, I had the opportunity to teach an adult class for the first time. This was my first time ever teaching in this capacity, and I was so nervous going into it. Over the weeks of my class, I grew, became more confident, and learned so much through what worked and what didn’t work.
Internships can be a great safe space to grow and become better trained to serve through successes and failures. Growth is only possible when given opportunities to fail and succeed. Internships can provide a great place to grow because churches can be there to help interns in their mistakes and celebrate with them in their successes.
“Internships can provide a great place to grow because churches can be there to help interns in their mistakes and celebrate with them in their successes.”
Room to seek God
My internship mentor encouraged and emphasized the importance of spending some quiet time with God every day. Staying rooted with God got me through my internship in both the good and difficult times.
During the first week of my internship, I was taught about the history of this church along with its mission and values. Throughout my time interning, I heard countless stories about how God has moved and is moving in people’s lives. I got to see God move in my class even though everyone was older than me. Seeing God in my life wasn’t a new space, but seeing the bigger picture of God moving in a church was.
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 mentions passing God’s commandments down to your children. Being able to intern has brought this idea of passing things of God to a new and deeper level. This is not just about passing it down to our physical children (to those who have kids), but to our spiritual children in the faith and those younger than we are. During my internship, many ideas, values, and stories about God were passed down to me that I will hold onto for the rest of my life.
“During my internship, many ideas, values, and stories about God were passed down to me that I will hold onto for the rest of my life.”
With the question in mind of how the next generation will become interested in ministry, I have a big ask. If your church is at the place to make it happen, would you consider opening the opportunity to intern at your church? Or if internships aren’t possible, can you still invest in and encourage the next generation of leaders? Let’s live out Psalm 78:4-8 and continue to pass down our faith.
“We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done. He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands. They would not be like their ancestors—a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose spirits were not faithful to him.” (Psalm 78:4-8 NIV)
