What Does a Summer Internship at an MB Church Look Like?
Summer provides an amazing opportunity for growth and support between our churches and young adult congregants. Internships allow churches to hire extra staff for a few weeks or months to support summer programming and put foundations in place for the upcoming ministry year. Interns are often interested in exploring what it means to work in ministry and benefit from mentorship through close work with pastors and church staff. Churches can use this opportunity to build up the next generation of church leadership and pass on valuable knowledge.
Here’s what two interns shared about their experiences this summer.
Amy McClusky, Eastview Community Church
What is your internship role? What are your tasks or responsibilities?
I was picked as one of the children's ministry interns at my church this year. Throughout my time here, I've had the chance to do many things, including preparing for VBS, which consisted of making name tags, decorating the stages and other rooms, and preparing our volunteers with what they needed, including attendance lists, props for their stations, and all the supplies for the small group boxes. During the week of VBS, I had the opportunity to be the assistant to our VBS coordinator. She let me shadow her and let me help wherever needed, whether it was getting something for a kid or just sitting with a small group. This gave me the chance to observe all the ways God was working throughout our church, and I am beyond grateful for all my God-Sightings! Besides this action-packed week, I get to help with fall Sunday school preparation, clean and organize ministry rooms, and teach a children's feature during Sunday service!
What is your favourite part of your job?
Is it too cliché to say that my favourite part is being around my coworkers? Well, whether it is or isn’t, I would have to say that having the chance to come to work every day and encounter a group of faithful servants who are always fruitful is my favourite thing. I've been coming to Eastview since elementary school and have volunteered alongside a few staff members, but just being able to learn, observe, and talk to them daily has been so impactful and has helped me grow.
What is something surprising you have discovered about your church staff?
Honestly, I have discovered how caring and devoted each of these staff members truly is, and how serious their job is to them. Before working here and getting to know the staff better, I knew they were very caring people, but watching the behind-the-scenes has shown me that these staff members will go out of their way to help, volunteer, and do all they can for this team. They do not just stick to their designated job; they help in other ministries and are always available when you need a mentor.
How have you grown spiritually throughout this role?
During this internship, I have come to appreciate the great faithfulness of our Father. I have become more thankful for the things He has done, including the little things, because the little things I take for granted some people could never even imagine having them. Seeing some kids who are growing up with far less than I did, yet still being happy, has made me appreciate what He has done for me. This internship has shown me that God provides us with what we truly need, and this helps me trust Him even more.
What is the best lesson you have learned this summer?
Each week, the interns and our two supervisors will read and talk about the book we are reading. In one chapter, the author ends by stating, “There is mystery in each child's becoming and, in each child’s marvellous potential...". It has made me realize that all of us, as children of God, are still growing, yet there is a mystery that no one other than Our Father knows. This book may be for helping children, but it has had a huge impact on the way I think and go about everyday situations.
In the end, working here has not only been the best time ever but, it’s been the most influential, and I will always be grateful that God placed me here, a part of this church!
Claire Malenko, Crossway Elm Creek
What is your internship role? What are your tasks or responsibilities?
My internship role is a four-month ministry position that allows me to get a taste of the many different areas of ministry within our church and get a feel for what a career in this field would look like. Some of my tasks and responsibilities have included leading a worship team, learning the media portion of our Sunday services, conducting maintenance checks alongside our Property Stewardship team, attending and planning youth events as a leader, teaching Sunday School, running a Girls’ Program, and volunteering at VBS. At the end of my internship, I will also be giving the message on a Sunday.
What is your favourite part of your job?
My favourite part of this job has been connecting with people in my church whom I might not have otherwise had the opportunity to connect with. I have learned so much, not only about the different roles within our church but also about the hearts of the people who carry out those roles. I have loved seeing how uniquely God makes each person, and yet how each person’s differences are what equips them to serve God and the church body in just the right way.
What is something surprising you have discovered about your church staff and/or pastors?
Throughout my time as an intern, I really enjoyed discovering more about the fun personalities of my church staff! It was not surprising to me that they are cool and interesting people, but it was very refreshing to be reminded that there is no reason for there to be a social gap between congregation members and church staff. Sometimes, we place church staff on a pedestal, or they can feel distant from us in a spiritual or intellectual sense. But really, they are simply people—God’s children—whom He has called into vocational ministry.
How have you grown spiritually throughout this role?
One way I have grown spiritually throughout this role is by learning to balance spiritual disciplines as both work responsibilities and personal practices. I wasn’t prepared for my personal time with God to begin to feel like work, which presented some challenges. Through patience, persistence, and the wisdom and advice of my church staff, I have definitely grown spiritually and am continuing to learn how to balance these two sides of the same coin.
What is the most helpful skill you have learned this summer?
I think the most helpful skill I have learned this summer is how to let things take time and how to be comfortable with that. It is so easy to rush through tasks, events, or simply life, sometimes sacrificing the quality of our work for the ease of checking something off a to-do list. However, this job has taught me that it is good to let things take time because it frees us up to notice what God is doing when we’re not rushing.
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