What is a Ministry Internship?

An Internship offers you the opportunity to serve in your local church in practical ministry, backed up with Biblically grounded teaching around a core of discipleship processes, supported by ministry coaching so that you develop practical ministry competencies in the real context of your local church in a nationally accredited and certified training process which includes attaining a Certificate IV in Ministry upon completion.

In short. You develop practical disciple-based ministry competencies while serving in your local church, supported by a coach.

Training on the Job

Ministry internships are geared towards training on the job.  They are about personal growth, skills formation and relevant study.  It is not only focussed on the academics but graded on competency; basically, can the person do ministry?  We like to call that the training of the head, heart and hands.

Head
There is a set provided curriculum that is studied partly via distance ed with a local supervisor/assessor, and partly though two four day residential blocks.  The subject matter covers Life and Ministry management, introduction to the Bible, Discipleship, Leadership, and some options in different skills areas such as youth, evangelism and more.  The material is Reformed, Missional and Kingdom focussed.

Heart
Part of developing faithful servants is nurturing knowledge and personal growth.  As a requirement of the course a personal mentoring relationship is required.  The mentor will coach them through their study and practical work as well as life skills and personal spiritual development.

Hands
Ministry internships are similar to an apprenticeship where practical experience and theoretical learning co-exist in the training of the Christian servant.  The internship requires a minimum of two - three days a week working in the local church (or Christian organisation, eg campsite, church plant, school etc).  This is locally supervised work experience.  Some of this is set by the course subjects and some is negotiated between the intern and the church to nurture the unique gifts of the intern. 

What if I want to continue with Ministry Training?

As you find God growing and developing you, you may desire to to continue to grow as a disciple, and you can!  Discuss with your trainer/assessor where you would like to go with your studies, you may be surprised how many study options there are available.  With the training being Nationally Recognised you will find you will be able to get credits for what you have done on your internship.

CRCA
Resource Centre
Training and Resourcing Churches in
Missions, Church Education,
Youth and Children’s Ministry

Ministry Internships is provided by the Christian Reformed Churches Resource Centre,
as a member of the Australian college of Ministries training network.