DESCRIPTION: This course (offered pass/fail for 2 units) is the required nine-month church internship designed to give students supervised and evaluated experience in pastoral ministry in the local church.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: This course is designed to provide a means for students to increase their skills and experience in pastoral ministry, as well as to meet the requirements that many denominations have for a candidate's ministry preparation. This course also helps prepare students for ministry by providing a context in which spiritual, theological, and ministry formation can occur.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will (1) grow in their ability to engage in theological reflection by having regular opportunities to think critically about ministry in light of the Christian tradition; (2) deepen their understanding of the cultural context of ministry by immersing themselves in a specific context and regularly reflecting with their supervisor on the connection between context and ministry; (3) develop toward becoming spiritually mature and accountable practitioners by reflecting with their peers in a theological reflection group and with their supervisor in their internship on the connection between their faith and their ministry; (4) become better Christian leaders by having many opportunities to practice the responsibilities of ministry throughout their internship.

COURSE FORMAT: The course has three primary components: practical ministry, supervision, and theological reflection. The student spends at least 10 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 Field Education and Ministry Formation (FEMF) Office. One hour each week is to be spent with the approved on-site supervisor. The agenda should address (a) professional direction, evaluation, and oversight 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 Theological Reflection Group, led by a faculty member or experienced pastor. These groups meet eight times, for two hours each time. Each student participating will write and present one case study and spiritual reflection from his or her internship experience.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. Participation in a Field Education Orientation, "Introduction to Theological Reflection," during the first week of the first quarter in which the student is registered for FE501.

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

3. Meeting during the first quarter (FE501A) and third quarter (FE501C) with a Field Education Advisor for a progress report on the internship.

4. Completion of Quarterly Evaluations 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 FEMF Office the tenth week of the first quarter (FE501A).

6. Participation in two Ministry Enrichment Seminars, one during FE501A, and the other by the seventh week of FE501C.

Note: Assignments for students at some Regional Campuses may be different from those listed here. Refer to your syllabus for relevant assignments. Evaluation is based on completion of the nine-month internship as specified in the individual Learning Agreement and on-time, satisfactory completion of assignments and evaluations.