DESCRIPTION:

This course is the required three-quarter church internship designed to give students supervised applied experience in pastoral ministry in the local church.

This course is designed to provide a means for students to increase their skills and experience in a particular area of pastoral ministry, as well as to meet the requirements which many denominations have for a candidate's ministry preparation.

The student begins the internship process by contacting the Office of Field Education for preregistration materials and instructions on arranging an internship. After an internship site has been selected, the student must schedule an enrollment interview with the Office of Field Education. The course has three primary components: practical ministry, supervision, and theological reflection. The student spends ten hours each week for three academic quarters (nine months) in the local church involved in specific ministry assignments agreed upon by the supervisor and student, and approved by the Office of Field Education. One hour each week is to be spent with the approved on-site supervisor. The agenda should address a) professional direction, evaluation, and overseeing of the student's ministry; b) theological reflection and discussion of topics related to ministry as identified by the student and supervisor; c) support and prayer. Students will meet during the second quarter (FE501B) in a Reflection Group, led by a faculty member or experienced pastor. These groups ordinarily meet three to four times, for two hours each time. Each student participating will write and present one case study from their internship experience.

1. Participation in a Preparatory Workshop during the first week of the first quarter in which the student is registered for a FE course.

2. Completion of a Learning Agreement by the supervisor and intern, to be turned in to the Office of Field Education by the end of the second week of FE501A (the first quarter of the internship).

3. Meeting during the first quarter (FE501A) with the Director of Field Education, or other faculty member as selected, for a progress report on the internship.

4. Completion of Evaluation Reports by the student and the supervisor, to be turned in by the end of the tenth week of EACH quarter.

5. Participation in a Theological Reflection Group during the second quarter (FE501B), including completion of a written case study to be submitted to the Office of Field Education the tenth week of the first quarter (FE501A).

6. Participation in a minimum of four Ministry Enrichment Seminars during the course of the internship, to be arranged with the Office of Field Education.

None. However, note that a church setting for the internship experience and the selection of an approved supervisor must be arranged and approved prior to registering for the internship. Also, the student must participate in the Field Education Preparatory Workshop prior to actual involvement in the internship.

The three-quarter sequence, FE501A, B, and C, is required to meet the FE1 M.Div. core requirement in Field Education (MIN 7). It is offered pass/fail for 2 units. It is an elective for the M.A. in Theology (General Format) and meets requirements for some M.A. in [specialized ministry] degree programs.

FINAL EXAMINATION:

None. Evaluation is through completion of the nine-month internship as specified in the individual learning agreement and through completion of all assignments listed above.