Eight Expectations for Ministry Interns

If you are fortunate in your ministry to have summer or year-round interns, what are some intentional ways to design the intern program so that it is a "win-win" for all involved.  First Pres Bakersfield has a great tradition and is committed to passing the baton to young adults headed toward ministry through a great summer intern program (in Children's Ministries, Jr. High Ministries, and High School Ministries.)  Beginning in February of each year, we begin the search and begin planning our summers.   I have been deep in thought and prayer about what I wanted the summer to look like for the 3 college students that would be joining me this summer. I try to be very intentional about designing a summer that is both “give” and “take” for them. In other words, they GIVE, serve, teach, and work hard at our ministry events throughout the summer, but they also TAKE (or receive) a lot of training, motivation, practical hands on experience, mentorship, and a lot of MY TIME.  Our intern program does not make my summer easier. In fact, it adds at least 6 hours of extra time to my week as I meet with them as a group and as individuals to see how they’re doing, help direct their next steps, etc.  In addition to a “job description” about office hours, Vacation Bible School, dates, and stuff like that, here are some additional EXPECTATIONS that I have laid out for the 3 young ladies that God has brought to serve here with me this summer. I hope these will help you, my fellow Children’s Pastors, in defining and designing any similar training you are doing for High Schoolers or College Students who serve alongside you.

v 1.   We expect you to be in the Word of God often, consistently, and deeply. Even if you’ve been walking with Jesus for a long time, He still wants to speak to you today!

v  2. We expect you to be above reproach regarding your behavior and character.  Things to stay away from include:

o   Alcohol, Drugs, Sexual relationships and inappropriate behavior with the opposite sex, Gossip, some Movies (if you are watching movies with kids or students, you’d better have permission from each parent)

o   You are representing Jesus Christ, our Church, and our Ministry.

o   Students, Children and parents are watching you!

v  3. We expect you NOT to do everything yourself, but to invite others to share the responsibilities that have been given to you.  ASK FOR HELP!

v  4. We expect that you will be on time!  Most of the time, this means that you are EARLY so that you are ready to begin.  (Meetings, Office hours, Church services, Bible Studies, Teaching times, etc.)

v  5. We expect that your attitude will be full of grace, joy, enthusiasm, and energy.  It’s infectious for children and parents! Complaining publically about your job, your boss, your church, your pay, your hours, or a parent or student is not allowed in any circumstance.  Follow Matthew 18 guidelines if there is a problem!

v  6. We expect you to be open to constructive criticism about your work.  We know you are here to learn, and one of the ways that happens is to observe others in ministry, learn from trial and error and by evaluating the work you are doing.  

v  7. We expect you to be great communicators with parents through emails, flyers, post cards and phone calls.  This is one of the most crucial parts of any ministry… communication!

v  8. We expect that you will be uncomfortable sometimes & that you will be taken out of your comfort zone.  If you are doing your ministry without feeling stretched, then you are not experiencing a true internship.

What a rich and rewarding summer we hope you will have! We believe it will be life changing for YOU as well as the CHILDREN you serve!

Hey Children’s Leaders… do you have an intern program you’d like to tell us about?  Please leave us a comment and tell us about your intern or training program! How exciting to have the opportunity to “pass the baton” to the next generation of Children’s Ministry leaders!