University Reformed Church – East Lansing, MI

Purpose

To raise up godly men, mature in life and doctrine, to serve as pastors in Christ’s church.

Internship Philosophy

This program is a long-term investment in the global church’s health and well-being. The main purpose of the internship is not for University Reformed Church to get ministry accomplished through the interns. Some of this will happen, but the main purpose is to build into our interns so that they are better equipped to serve the church in the future. There are many things seminary training can do, but it cannot offer the hands-on-training, one-on-one discipleship, and individual evaluation that working in the local church can.

Who can apply?

Any man over the age of 21 who is heading toward pastoral ministry. Although one aim of the internship is to help the intern assess his personal calling, maturity, and giftedness for ministry, the program is not intended as “something to do” while you figure out what’s next in life. In the future, we may develop similar programs for those interested in campus ministry or other types of ministry, but this particular internship is for those who are serious about entering pastoral ministry. Since the program is aimed at future pastors (and not future campus workers or youth workers), the program is limited to men.

Requirements for Interns

• Must agree with the URC Statement of Faith. Interns are not required to affirm any other doctrinal statement, but they should understand that the training they receive and reading they are assigned will be in broad agreement with the three Standards of Unity (Heidelberg Catechism, Belgic Confession, and Canons of Dort), with the hopes that we are raising up Reformed pastors.
• Fill out an application (see Application for Pastoral Internship).
• Regularly attend AM and PM worship services during the length of the internship.
• Attend or teach a Sunday School class and be a part of a small group during the length of the internship.
• Be open to considering pastoral ministry in the Reformed Church in America.

Details of the Internship

• The internship is 35 weeks long, usually from September through May.
• The internship averages 450 total hours, or around 13 hours a week. There may be some flexibility for a more extensive internship if you are interested and it is approved by the Pastors.
• The internship is unpaid. It is expected that the intern will have another job besides the internship.
• The intern will attend one conference with the staff during the course of the internship. The registration fee and lodging costs will be paid for by the church.
• Currently there are three openings a year for the internship program.
• The Senior Pastor and Associate Pastor will select the interns from among the pool of applicants. The interns selected must be approved by the Consistory or the Executive Committee of the Consistory.

What do I do as an Intern?

The internship has four components.

I. Education (175 hours)

A. Reading (75 hours): There will be 15 reading assignments, or about one every
other week, averaging 5 hours of reading on most weeks.
B. Writing (60 hours): There will 15 writing assignments to be completed on the opposite weeks of the reading assignments. These are four page papers that should take around four hours each. The papers are due every other week. The papers will consist of summary, evaluation, and application.
C. Research paper (20 hours): There will one 10 page research paper.
D. Class Outline (20 hours): The intern will outline an eight week Adult Education class.

Most of the assignments will be determined by the pastors, although there is
some flexibility based on the intern’s previous knowledge and interest.

II. Experience (165 hours)

A. Attend Elder’s Meetings and Consistory meetings (75 hours)
B. Attend One Conference (0 hours)
C. Attend at least one wedding rehearsal and ceremony (5 hours)
D. Attend at least one funeral and visitation (if possible) (5 hours)
E. Attend at least one Classis Meeting (5 hours)
F. Make hospital calls, elders calls, and new member calls as asked (35 hours)
G. Meet with different people in the congregation as assigned (40 hours)

III. Mentoring (70 hours)

A. Meet with Ben every other week (35 hours)
B. Meet with Kevin on the opposite weeks (35 hours)
C. Be open to feed back and assessment of your call to ministry.

IV. Ministry Opportunity (40)

A. Assisting in worship as called upon (10 hours)
B. Preaching at least once in an evening service (20 hours)
C. Teach at least one time (SCF, Sunday School, workshop, etc.) (10 hours)

Sunday worship services, small group involvement, Pastor’s Conference, and Sunday School
attendance are not counted toward the hours of the internship.

To Apply:

Please return the completed application to Pastor Ben by May 25. If you are not a member of URC, please include a resume and brief cover letter. A decision on your application should be made by the middle of June. Keep in mind, there are currently only three openings and we do not automatically take three people each year.