Supervised Ministry

Christian ministry in our world requires leaders who demonstrate a thorough understanding of Scripture and theology, competence in ministerial functions, and spiritual maturity (including personal holiness, integrity, wisdom, love, and both emotional and psychological wholeness). Supervised ministry provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate their giftedness and suitability for professional ministry through a continuing process of discernment, real-life application, self-evaluation, and formation.

Objectives for students
  • Ongoing development of self-knowledge and personal maturity that contributes to worldview, personal integrity, responsible functioning, and interpersonal relationships;
  • Ongoing development of a biblically-based philosophy of ministry that closes the gap between theory and practice;
  • Ongoing development of their own relationship with God through prayer, Bible study, meditation, and accountability; and
  • Ongoing development of skills in the basic functions of ministry such as preaching, teaching, evangelism, administration, and pastoral care.

Internship Preparation

The student is required to consult with the Director of Supervised Ministry/Internship at least two academic terms prior to the student’s desired internship start date. Internship preparation includes:

  • Reviewing prerequisites
  • Reviewing the internship process and requirements
  • Choosing a site, supervisor, and mentor
  • Writing a reflective paper (Personal and Professional Development Plan)
  • Preparing and signing an Internship Agreement
  • Vocational Formation Interview and approval to begin an internship

TL 566A • Professional Internship for MDiv A 1.5 Credits

Spiritual, personal and vocational formation through goal setting based on degree outcomes and in a context that considers the individual’s design for ministry and vocational direction. Participation in ministry in an approved vocational setting. Development of core capacities for spiritual leadership through action reflection.
Prerequisites: SP 001, TL 001, SP 510, CP 510, ML 527, PC 512. Special Notes: Internship should be taken in the student's final year. Registration by permission of the Director of Supervised Ministry/Internship. Course credit is only granted for internship experiences that have received pre-approval from the Director of Supervised Ministry/Internship. 400 hours are required between TL 566A and TL 566B. This course is intended for MDiv students. The corresponding MA Ministry internship course is TL 568A.

TL 566B • Professional Internship for MDiv B 1.5 Credits

Spiritual, personal and vocational formation through goal setting based on degree outcomes and in a context that considers the individual’s design for ministry and vocational direction. Participation in ministry in an approved vocational setting. Development of core capacities for spiritual leadership through action reflection.
Prerequisites: TL 566A. Special Notes: Internship should be taken in the student's final year. Registration by permission of the Director of Supervised Ministry/Internship. Course credit is only granted for internship experiences that have received preapproval from the Director of Supervised Ministry/Internship. This course is intended for MDiv students. The corresponding MA Ministry internship course is TL 568B.

TL 568A • Professional Internship for MA in Ministry A 1.5 Credits

Spiritual, personal and vocational formation through goal setting based on degree outcomes and in a context that considers the individual’s design for ministry and vocational direction. Participation in ministry in an approved vocational setting. Development of core capacities for spiritual leadership through action reflection.
Prerequisites: SP 001, TL 001, SP 510. Special Notes: Internship should be taken in the student's final year. Registration by permission of the Director of Supervised Ministry/Internship. Course credit is only granted for internship experiences that have received pre-approval from the Director of Supervised Ministry/Internship. 400 hours are required between TL 568A and TL 568B. This course is intended for MA Ministry students. The corresponding MDiv internship course is TL 566A.

TL 568B • Professional Internship for MA in Ministry B 1.5 Credits

Spiritual, personal and vocational formation through goal setting based on degree outcomes and in a context that considers the individual’s design for ministry and vocational direction. Participation in ministry in an approved vocational setting. Development of core capacities for spiritual leadership through action reflection.
Prerequisites: TL 568A. Special Notes: Internship should be taken in the student's final year. Registration by permission of the Director of Supervised Ministry/Internship. Course credit is only granted for internship experiences that have received preapproval from the Director of Supervised Ministry/Internship. This course is intended for MA Ministry students. The corresponding MDiv internship course is TL 566A.

PC 566A • Chaplaincy Internship A 1.5 Credits

This course provides students opportunity to intern in the work of chaplaincy. Students complete a unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (a total of 400-440 hours of ministry and reflection) in a CPE center accredited by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE). Students contract with a CPE site for a supervised experience in a hospital, hospice site, elder care facility, homeless shelter, or other accredited CPE site.
Prerequisites: For MA students, Formation Assessments, Vocational Assessments, SP 510, and PC 512; For MDiv students, Formation Assessments, Vocational Assessments, SP 510, PC 512. CPE site fees are paid directly to the CPE center. These fees are reimbursed to students at the completion of the CPE unit with the submission of a valid invoice or receipt documenting the amount paid to the CPE site. Special Notes: Internship should be taken in the student's final year. Registration by permission of the Director of Supervised Ministry/Internship.

PC 566B • Chaplaincy Internship B 1.5 Credits

This course provides students opportunity to intern in the work of chaplaincy. Students complete a unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (a total of 400-440 hours of ministry and reflection) in a CPE center accredited by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE). Students contract with a CPE site for a supervised experience in a hospital, hospice site, elder care facility, homeless shelter, or other accredited CPE site.
Prerequisites: For MA and MDiv students, PC 566A. Special Notes: Internship should be taken in the student's final year.

PC 705 • Clinical Pastoral Education 1-3 Credits

Students contract under an accredited CPE center for one unit of CPE, a 400-hour supervised experience, usually in a hospital or nursing care center. CPE is particularly important for persons who plan to enter chaplaincy posts of various kinds, but it is also applicable to many other ministry settings. The credits may be applied as pastoral care electives but may not be applied to professional internship requirements.
Prerequisites: PC 512. CPE site fees are paid directly to the CPE center. These fees are reimbursed to students at the completion of the CPE unit with the submission of a valid invoice or receipt documenting the amount paid to the CPE site. Grade exceptions: This course is Pass/Fail. Special Notes: A passing grade will be assigned when the Office of the Registrar receives, from the student, a notarized copy of the ACPE Certificate of Completion.

 

Mentored Leadership Development 

The Mentored Leadership Development (MLD) courses, ML 551  and ML 552, are uniquely designed experiences. The MLD sequence of courses is tailored to the MATL degree program. The focus of coursework is on facilitating students as they integrate their seminary learning experience into their ministry contexts and walk through specific developmental goals. Through a process of self-examination, developmental assessments, facilitated mentoring, group supervision, and reflection, students demonstrate the capacity for practical application of learning outcomes from the Transformative Education Model. 

 

ML 551 • Mentored Leadership Development (MATL) A 0.75 Credits

This course seeks to align the student with the vision, values, mission and philosophy systems and strategic objectives of the local ministry of which the student is a part. Through the use of psychometric and developmental testing, self-reflection, and mentor and group feedback, the student will identify and progressively clarify life purpose, mission and vision. Based on reflective work, the student will develop goals for spiritual, personal and vocational development, and identify unique personal needs that require intentional focus, in order to develop as a whole and holy leader.
Prerequisites: SP 001.

ML 552 • Mentored Leadership B 0.75 Credits

This course seeks to align the student with the vision, values, mission and philosophy systems and strategic objectives of the local ministry of which the student is a part. Through the use of psychometric and developmental testing, self-reflection, and mentor and group feedback, the student will identify and progressively clarify life purpose, mission and vision. Based on reflective work, the student will develop goals for spiritual, personal and vocational development, and identify unique personal needs that require intentional focus, in order to develop as a whole and holy leader.
Prerequisites: ML 551, TL 001.

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