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Full Time Pastoral Internship

Life giving work demands life giving experience.
Doctors have residency. Lawyers have articling.
Pastors have INTERNSHIP.

The Willingdon Pastoral Internship is a one-year, full time program designed to prepare participants in the context of the local church for life-long ministry. Willingdon Church provides practical experience in multiple areas of church ministry, relevant and applicable Bible teaching, and personal mentorship. Our desire is to train those Jesus is calling to develop their spiritual gifts and ministry skills, increase their biblical knowledge, grow their character and discern their ministry calling. Is Christ calling you?

We are now accepting applications for the September 2024-August 2025 year.

Full Time Pastoral Internship

Pastoral Internship

During this internship, you will:

  • Serve in real, hands-on ministry alongside experienced pastors
  • Be discipled by experienced Bible teachers to solidify a biblical foundation for your ministry, while growing personally under the mentorship of a Willingdon Church Leader
  • Become a paid member of a seasoned pastoral team

 

Willingdon Church was founded in 1961 with a mission to reach its community for Jesus.  It has grown to now include three weekend services, and more than 12 language ministries.

Founded as a Mennonite Brethren Church, Willingdon holds a strong commitment to biblical preaching, Biblical and systematic theology, and Elder-led ecclesiology. We are deeply committed to disciple making and to equipping the saints for the work of ministry.

We have a passion to reach our city and our world with the gospel of Jesus Christ.  This includes a vision for helping plant new churches and raising up leaders to be effective ministers of the gospel.

Biblical Foundations – To solidify biblical-theological understanding and application

A significant amount of an intern’s time will be spent strengthening their theological training. This will include biblical-theological study as well as interactive discussions in theology and ministry philosophy.

Biblical and Systematic Theology

A number of books will be assigned to read and discuss as an intern team. These books deal with some of the contemporary discussions within the church and community (e.g., understanding how to do intercultural ministry in an urban setting). On a regular basis, interns will meet with one or more pastors to discuss their theological reading and how it applies to the daily teaching and life of the church.

Philosophy of Ministry

All ministry needs a clear philosophy to guide it. Effective ministry leaders are not only aware of their ministry philosophy but are also actively seeking to communicate and shape it into their ministry areas. Throughout the year, various ministry team leaders will come to discuss their philosophy of ministry with the intern team.

Some of the topics to be discussed include church leadership (Elders/church leadership), marriage counseling, missions, church planting, recruiting and caring for volunteers, and how to guide change within a church, as well as many informal discussions of ministry life and issues.

 

Ministry – To develop ministry skills and experience in applied theology

The bulk of an intern’s time will be spent serving in various ministry areas within Willingdon Church: Student Ministry, Missions, Care Ministry, International Language Groups, and Discipleship Ministries. Interns will learn from a variety of pastors as they participate and engage in various responsibilities in each area.

Leadership, initiative & growth

Interns will be expected to demonstrate leadership and initiative while working within a team under the direction of the pastoral leader. They can expect regular feedback both all aspects of their assignment – including areas where they did well, as well as where there is room to improve.

Meetings & events

All interns will participate in church-wide ministry events, as well as attending all Pastoral Team meetings, bi-weekly staff devotion and prayer time, and any Elder meeting to which they are invited.

Our goal

The goal is to give interns real life ministry experience that allows them to learn and grow under the leadership and direction of pastors who have recognized ministry experience in their fields.

Character – To develop a Christ-centred, God-honouring interior life that will guide your life, ministry and leadership

As an intern, you will be paired with one of the Willingdon Church leaders. You will meet with that leader monthly to examine your own heart and character in the midst of ministry. The Church leader will act as a sounding board and mentor as you serve.

You will also participate in group devotional practices and participate in an intentional disciple-making group.

More Information

    • Completion of at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a recognized school or institution
    • Commitment to life-long ministry within the context of a local church
    • Agreement with the theological framework of Willingdon Church (see Willingdon Church Statement of Faith)
    • Ministry volunteer or work experience
    • Competency in the English language
    • Willingdon Church holds a complementarian understanding of the roles of men and women in a ministry context.  As such we welcome both men and women to apply for the Internship program as we know that God has gifted both for ministry in the church.  Therefore, both men and women who apply should hold to a complementarian theology, understanding that while there will be many ministry opportunities for both men and women, some of the ministry opportunities for women will be different than those for men.

  • Since the intern will be joining the staff team of Willingdon Church, an appropriate salary will be offered. Along with the salary come expectations and accountability regarding workload and ministry involvement.

  • Learning Contract

    You will be required to sign the Learning Contract prior to beginning the Internship Program.

    Pastoral Covenant

    You will be required to read through the Moral Guidelines for Pastoral Team at Willingdon Church and sign the Pastoral Covenant.

    Three Key Ministry Involvement Areas                                                                               

    Student Ministries

    Grade 6-9 / Grade 10-12

    Care Ministries

    Visitation / Prayer / Phone Ministry / Counselling

    Adult Ministries

    Adult Classes / Baptism & Membership / Small Groups

  • Weekly Schedule

    The work week of the Intern should be about 45 hours made up of the following:

    General Requirements  20 hours/week

    In addition to the Team-based ministry assignments each Intern will be responsible to complete the following general assignments under the oversight of the Internship Director:

    • Co-lead Discovering Jesus or Alpha groups
    • Attend a Small Group or Unite Ministry
    • Write a thorough Statement of Beliefs
    • Monthly meeting with Lay Leader-Mentor
    • Attend weekly Intern Meetings
    • Complete Personal Reading/Study Assignments
    • Attend Staff & Pastoral Team meetings
    • Attend Elders’ Meetings
    • Volunteer in a ministry of their choice

     

    Specific Team Requirements  25 hours/week

    These are determined by the specific Team Leader and should include a wide variety of activities that will introduce the Intern to the heart of the ministry.

    The time allotment should also include evaluation of performance along with appropriate follow-up interaction that will help the Intern develop their understanding and skill related to that ministry area.

  • The Internship program starts in September of each year.  Those wanting priority consideration are encouraged to submit their applications early.

  • ONLINE APPLICATON
    We are now accepting applications for the 2024-25.

    You can also ask for an application package by contacting Pastor Bryan at gro.nodgnilliw@nrobb or 604-435-5544, ext. 1065.