The Impact of Our Internships

By Bill Baumgardner

“I have to do an internship?”

“It is not that you must do an internship,” I say to the student before me. “You get to do an internship.”

This is typical of many conversations I have at Cincinnati Christian University. As the director of service learning, I help students with their supervised internship for college credit. The internships are supervised because we feel there is a great value when a student works alongside someone who is in his or her field of study. This is why we match up students studying for the preaching ministry with preaching ministers, youth ministry students with youth ministers, and on down the line. One of the biggest complaints I receive from churches is, “I know we don”t have a youth minister, but we need one, so can we have an intern anyway?” Although youth at the church deserve to have a youth minister, and we will find another way to try to fill this need, I must reply, “I am sorry, you cannot have an intern unless a youth minister is already in place.”

There is great value in learning at someone else”s side. It is an opportunity to plumb the vast well of knowledge of an experienced professional””a person who has made mistakes and persevered. An intern also has opportunities to make his own mistakes, but with someone right next to him to teach him, advise him, and pick him up. These two Scripture verses directly apply to internships: “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17); and “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up” (Ecclesiastes 4:9, 10).

As educators, our goal isn”t for churches and organizations to see interns and internships as a means of free labor, but as a learning opportunity for students. We want churches and agencies to see it as a chance to shape and mold someone for kingdom work. Whether the intern is hired at the end of an internship, or goes back to school, the church has trained up one more person for God”s purposes.

“A mentor is someone who sees more talent and ability within you, than you see in yourself, and helps bring it out of you,” says Bob Proctor
an author, speaker, and success coach. Our students need their skills, talents, and abilities to come to the surface through internships.

“Churches need to see internship not only as a service for the church, but also as a service to our students,” says CCU President David Faust.

 

Chronicling the Impact

So what kind of impact does an internship have? For the churches CCU has worked with, it has been very favorable.

Olivia Sutman served a summer youth ministry internship in Narok, Kenya.

“Olivia was a great asset to us,” said her supervisor, Ellen Ombati of New Mission Systems International. “She was one of the best interns Nasha [the ministry] has ever had! She worked hard and assisted in ministry in so many ways through teaching, leadership, brainstorming, and administrative work.”

“I found all the practical experience helpful,” Olivia said of her experience. “I was constantly subject to speaking and teaching in front of large groups of children and sometimes adults. I got to experience blank stares of confusion, and even people laughing in my face. Such events build character and have really helped me overcome any fear of public speaking. It was a really good experience that no class can teach.”

Michael Smith just finished a seven-month preaching ministry internship with a local church.

“Michael showed professionalism and represented the church and me well,” said Tim Kufeldt, who supervised Michael at Dayspring Church in Cincinnati. “His ministry through the Word was effective. He demonstrated love and concern.”

“I learned I didn”t have to say what I do, but [instead] live out what I do,” Michael said of his experience. “I consider the most helpful aspect of the time I spent as an intern [involved] the love for God”s Word. Even though I already believed the truth of God”s Word, it was confirmed here. Here they teach the truth about God”s Word.”

Hannah Anderson”s summer urban mission internship with City Gospel Mission in Cincinnati is another example. Her supervisor, Joann Ashley, said, “She was very willing to engage kids, parents, and volunteers. She was sensitive to cultural differences. Hannah spent a lot of time getting to know and understand by listening.”

“City Gospel Mission is an amazing ministry,” Hannah says. “I have always known [about this work], but experiencing what they do firsthand, and being able to meet the people behind the scenes was amazing. They are truly remarkable and have such a heart for God”s kingdom and helping those in need. My supervising minister was the most helpful to me by encouraging me, giving me advice on how to interact, especially with the older kids, and always standing behind me and supporting me when discipline or confrontation had to happen.”

Although it can be difficult for a student to fit an internship into a busy schedule, the experience can be profound. It helps students make a connection between the classroom and the field.

“I think internships are such a vital part of preparing for ministry,” said worship intern Leah Claiborne. “I think every single person who wants to go into ministry should go on an internship for at least three months. It is so crucial to be in a learning environment before you jump immediately into a job. I was able to learn and grow in countless ways.”

 

Finding an Intern

So how does a church or ministry organization go about getting an intern?

At CCU, our supervised internships last three months, seven months, or one year. Many of our students start either in mid-May or January. A church or ministry must have a staff member who can mentor the student full-time, whether it is an internship involving youth ministry, worship, preaching, or other ministry.

After a church or ministry contacts CCU about an internship, and after it is approved, the church or ministry”s position is placed on a list so students can choose the ministry right for them. What catches their attention? A full description that includes “who, what, why, and when” is important. Make sure to describe the compensation package. (Students have bills too, and they need to make a little money while they are working and learning.) Communication is key before, during, and after the internship. CCU can make arrangements for your ministry to visit the school and speak with students, if desired. But above all else, be patient. CCU cannot fill every internship request.

Internships are a great experience for the student and for the ministry. CCU is striving every day to make the program better for its students, and better for the ministries where they will serve.

 

Bill Baumgardner is director of service learning and associate professor at Cincinnati (Ohio) Christian University. Contact him at [email protected] or (513) 244-8107.