Here are the types of ministry opportunities available to pastoral interns. Actual assignements will vary depending on your needs and interest.

Opportunities for Learning Pastoral Duties

  • preaching
  • leading worship
  • public/private teaching (Sunday school, one-to-one, officer training, new Christians)
  • public/private prayer (Afternoon prayer, M-TH, 15min online)
  • home visitation
  • elder/deacon training
  • member interviews
  • leading teams
  • decision making
  • ecumenical work
  • using organization, time management, and research tools (access to Pastor Chelpka’s Pastoral Skills Wiki and other tools)
  • assigned reading
  • mentor meetings with Pastor Chelpka (Daily: check-ins; Monday: Sunday debrief and sermon check; Wednesday: discussion of readings + ask me anything)
  • shadowing opportunities with Pastor Chelpka

Opportunities for Learning Pastoral Duties

  • lead/serve on mission teams to learn things like: setup and teardown, communion preparation, offering procedures, a/v procedures
  • assist the clerk of the session; assist the clerk of the deacons
  • orientation and practice using church teamwork tools
  • leading a fellowship group
  • orientation to diaconal ministry
  • opening and closing our rented space
  • help plan a special summer event