TL552A-C Overview

PROFESSIONAL INTERNSHIP OVERVIEW TL552A-C MINISTRY PRACTICE AND REFLECTION

The Christian ministry in our world requires leaders who have attained an understanding of Scripture and theology, who have gained competence in ministerial functions, and who demonstrate spiritual maturity, personal integrity, and emotional and psychological wholeness.   Therefore, the purpose of supervised ministry is to provide the students the ministry settings whereby they can mature and further develop their giftedness and demonstrate suitability for ministry.   With supervision and theological reflection the following objectives will be addressed:

Personal Maturity: In ministry who you are is as important as what you know or do.   Self-knowledge becomes a key to effective ministry as issues such as personal integrity, responsible functioning, interpersonal relationships, and attitudes are addressed.

Theological Integration: It is crucial for the minister to develop a biblically based philosophy of ministry by articulating a theology which guides one's personal and professional functions and closes the gap between theory and practice.

Spiritual Formation: Ministering people who embody and express Christ's love need to nurture their own ongoing relationship with God.   Prayer, Bible study, meditation, and accountability provide needed sustenance for the demands of the ministry.

Skill Development: Placement in ministry necessitates the demonstration of skills in the basic functions of ministry such as preaching, teaching, evangelism, administration, and counseling.

The above objectives are accomplished upon completion of TL552A-C which integrates classroom   and field-based education.   The most intensive supervised ministry experience is the professional internship.   The general requirements are:

• A time commitment of 16-20 hours per week for eight months (M.Div. students may choose a three month full time commitment in the summer)
• A salaried position
• Supervision and evaluation by a mentor experienced in the chosen area of internship
• Interaction with and evaluation by a representative group from the congregation (Lay Intern Committee)
• Regular reports, two reflection peer group meetings, and self-evaluation
• Training sessions for supervisor and committee of laypersons
• Pastoral Functions ML110 class scheduled during fall quarter

Possible types of internships are:

• Parish Ministry
• Clinical Pastoral Education
• Mission Service
• Rural Ministries
• Teaching
• Urban Ministries
• Church Planting
• Camping
• Chaplaincies
• Youth Ministry
• Other Specialized

If an option other than Pastoral Ministry is chosen, requirements may be different.   Information is available in the supervised ministry office.   The student should discuss possible options with the director of supervised ministry and consider long or short-term goals and/or denomination requirements when choosing a type of internship.

Six off-campus sermons and the Middler assessments are usually completed in connection with TL552A-C.

M.Div. CE and M.A.C.E. students will also register for TL101 and TL552A-C.

MDivCE students are responsible for completing four off-campus preaching assignments, the Middler testing sequence, and attending the pastoral functions class.

Pastors/Supervisors please click here to continue with program information.

Bethel Website:  For general information about Bethel University please check our website at: www.bethel.edu.

E- Mail:  General Information: natalie-hendrickson@bethel.edu