General Internship Information & Process
A win-win relationship
Since 1974, Ambrose University College's undergraduate theology school has provided students with an extended in-depth ministry experience under the guidance of a pastor or ministry leader. Internship allows the student to experience hands-on ministry and to learn from the example, insight, and feedback of a more experienced Christian worker.
In most cases, undergraduate theology students complete an internship before starting the last year of their program (please check Academic Calendar for pre–requisites). In the old curriculum, internships lasted from three months to a year and were worth 3 or 6 credits. Now, the new academic requirement for internships is 5 months and worth 12 credits. We match students with churches or ministries to accommodate the needs of both. The Field Education Department makes the final appointment.
The Philosophy of Internship
Internship is an integral part of preparation for ministry. It provides the intern with an extended, in–depth practice of ministry for the purpose of integrating classroom input with field experience. In addition, internship seeks to provide our interns with a working relationship with another person in ministry, rather than just a place to carry out practical Christian service. We hope to expose the intern to all forms and facets of ministry but our primary focus in this experience is on the intern as a disciple in development and on the pastor–mentor as a teacher–leader. The intern is on the road to discovery and needs to be directed by the mentor to new points of maturity through the practice of ministry.
Internship, therefore, can be understood in three ways:
- As an opportunity for application of theological truth to the practice of ministry;
- As a means of acquiring (discovering) and developing ministerial skills;
- As an aspect of education for ministry, which fosters theological awareness, and analysis of the contemporary church.
Although a particular geographical location or the ministry emphasis of a mentor may cause one aspect to be stressed more than the others, all three should be developed. By mutual agreement between intern and mentor, certain areas may need special attention, depending on the intern’s background and experience in ministry.
The Learning Objectives of Internship
- Explore and evaluate their personal identity as a ministering part of the Body of Christ;
- Discover the areas of their greatest personal effectiveness within the ministry of the church;
- Evaluate lifestyle issues and ways of relating to others as they affect personal growth and ministry;
- Assess the attitudes and values they hold vis–à–vis people, ministry, culture, and life in general;
- Measure their ability to relate to their fellow workers and to the programs of the church;
- Analyse a ministry situation and set realistic goals and strategies to meet the needs discovered in the analysis;
- Evaluate ministry involvement in terms of personal growth, progress toward goals, effectiveness of methods, strengths and weakness;
- Integrate more fully their theological and doctrinal points of view with practical experience.
Reap the Benefits
The mentor and host church or ministry receive:
- enthusiasm and fresh perspective of a college student
- intern's unique ministry contribution to the church
- satisfaction of helping to shape the life of a future pastor, missionary, or Christian worker
- benefit of an excellent mentor training seminar
The intern receives:
- the field experience needed to translate theory into practice
- insight into the joys, struggles, and lessons of ministry
- the opportunity to grow spiritually and to develop ministry skills
- healthy models for relationships with God, family, and friends in conjunction with full-time ministry
How much time is involved?
Internships are fulltime and last from three to five months to a year. We match students with churches or ministries to accommodate the needs of both.
The Process
- Students are interviewed during the fall semester. Interested churches are sent assesment tools in the fall semester.
- Host churches or ministries are selected by the Director of Field Education and matched with an intern.
- Hosts are notified that they will be getting an intern in February — March time period.
- Mentors and students attend the Internship seminar held on campus in late April.
Ready to take part?
If you want to be a part of this exciting ministry experience for a college student, please fill out our Internship Form Here. If you have any questions contact: Dr. Arch Wong-Director of Field Education/Associate Professor of Pastoral Studies.
| Internship Documents | |
| Internship Manual 2008 - All Sections | Download |
| Internship Evaluation Forms 2008 - Section F | Download |
| Internship Assessments for North America 2008 - Section J | Download |
| Internship Assessments for IM Students - Section J | Download |
For more information contact:
Kevin Lim
Phone 1.403.410.2000 x3998
Fax 1.403.571.2556
klim@ambrose.edu
Role of the Mentor
Click Here to APPLY FOR AN INTERN NOW...
The mentor:
- attends an internship seminar prior to the internship
- prepares the congregation for the intern's arrival
- meets weekly with the intern to engage in reflection, evaluation, and encouragement
- appoints a lay consultant to work with the intern from a layperson’s point of view
- completes and returns a mid and final evaluation of the intern
Resources for the Mentor
- Internship Seminar
At the Internship Seminar, held in Calgary in late April each year, mentors and interns meet and establish the groundwork for their relationship. The three day workshop features dynamic group interaction, guided in-depth discussion, and fellowship with other pastors, Christian workers, interns and college personnel. Thus, the overall purposes of the internship seminar are: 1) Build healthy relationship between the mentor, intern, and the school; 2) Emphasize the importance of soul nurture in the internship; and 3) Build skills and reflect on ministry practice. - Internship Manual
Ambrose's school of undergraduate theology provides a detailed manual outlining objectives and guidelines for the program. It contains training models, suggestions for weekly conferences, and a wealth of resources including relational exercises and administrative/time management tools. - Assessment Tools
During the internship, periodic assessments are used to assess the intern's progress. These assesments are then used to guide intern's in crafting future ministry and to help them in their final year of studies.
Financial Responsibility
The church or ministry provides:
- Transportation costs for their representative(s) to attend the Internship Seminar in Calgary. (Materials, food and lodging are supplied by Ambrose)
- Room and board travel, and other ministry-related expenses for the intern including extra funds for travel and social times associated with their ministry. There should be as much privacy as possible (e.g. a room of one's own for a single student and a suite or other private accommodation for a couple).
- Monthly allowance to cover the intern's personal needs. Single interns currently receive a minimum of $400 and married interns a minimum of $600 per month.
- Love offering on behalf of the student at the completion of the internship. Interns are not paid a salary and the love offering is often the only source of funds enabling them to complete their training.
Intercultural Internship
The Intercultural Internship is done concurrently with the course WM 705 Mentoring for Intercultural Effectiveness and can be done on a full or part–time basis. Because of the nature of the intercultural internship, the 3–day internship seminar is not required. Instead, the following process is followed for intercultural interns:
- The student secures the field site, which is approved by the Chair of Intercultural Ministries Department and Director of Field Education;
- The student fulfils course requirements for WM 705 and the assessments and learning contract from the Field Education Department;
- The student arranges the financial and living arrangements with the field site.
