My life was enriched by an internship during college — neither at a Washington-based think tank, nor a marketing company near campus, but at a local church. Mentors weren’t prepping me to become the next youth minister or for full-time Christian ministry. Instead, they simply gave me the freedom to develop as a spiritual leader with the intent of releasing me into the field God had chosen for me. They were less concerned with securing me for their church numbers and more concerned about developing my potential during college.
Internships are the language of college campuses. Academic departments and career and advising offices all encourage students to seek internship opportunities. Internships are the connection between the academic program and the career following graduation. They bridge the gap between theory and reality. They add skill to knowledge and help students visualize their leadership role in the work environment.
Creating college internships at your church is great in possibility. Internships utilize the diverse gifts and skills of a group whose primary purpose is to discover and grow. They maintain an important connection between the church and a vast group of young adults. Further, they provide an opportunity for your youth group to observe what the transition in and through college can look like. College internships can be the link in the spiritual education of our younger generation. Here are several suggestions for playing your part in developing and releasing spiritual leaders into the workforce:
1. Create a plan for using college interns as part of the leadership team at your church. What are your unique needs, and how can college students use their gifts to help with these opportunities? Videography? Web design? Small group leadership? Community service? Building renovations?
2. Create a contract based on one semester of the roles, responsibilities and expectations of your church and your interns.
3. Get the word out about your internships. In addition to using students you already know, contact the campus ministries at your local two- and four-year colleges to let them know about your unique opportunities. You can follow up with your contacts by e-mailing them a description and a flyer about the internship.
4. If necessary, help your interns build a team (a task force) using church members, the youth group and other college students to tackle effectively the problem and assignments you have given them for the semester.
5. Encourage students to keep a journal of their internship experiences and deliver a summary presentation to church leaders. In addition, encourage students to check with their academic counselors about receiving college credit for their internship.
