What is The Perkins Internship Program?
The Perkins Internship Program provides support, supervision, accountability and resources in preparing women and men to answer their call to ministry and for faithful leadership in Christian ministry. The program collaborates with mentor pastors, mental health consultants, and lay leaders to create ministry contexts in which theological formation can thrive.
Throughout the program, students will integrate the knowledge and theological reflection disciplines learned in the classroom with the practical demands of providing faithful leadership within a congregation or an agency.
“Today, I value structured mentorship and theological reflection which helps me a great deal in ministry as I work through a global pandemic… I am truly grateful for the Perkins Internship Program.” - Lataya Simpson, M.Div. 2018
Is The Internship Program Required?
The M.Div. degree and M.A.M. degree both require students to complete an internship. Intern faculty members are committed to provide an internship that maximizes learning opportunities within a hands-on ministerial experience.
Learning by Listening and Leading: Program Details
The internship is a year-long course (fall and spring semesters) that counts for nine credit hours (four and a half per semester). Students must complete two prerequisites: Interpretation of the Christian Message I and II. Internships entail approximately 30 hours of work per week and will provide a minimum stipend. Prospective interns are encouraged to submit an Internship Application online a year in advance.
“My Perkins Internship taught me the intricate details of what it means to be in effective ministry with and for those who are often relegated to the outskirts of society.” - Christian Watkins, M.Div. 2019
Where Can I Intern?
The internships differ based on studies. Students can undertake internships with many different options to choose from, such as:
- Agency Interns
- Church Staff Interns
- Students Pastor Interns
- Clinical Pastoral Education Interns
The internships range from full-time to part-time and can take place at a church or an agency. There are many different states where students have the ability to intern, such as:
- Texas
- Idaho
- Oklahoma
- Louisiana
- Arkansas
- Florida
The internships may range in community type, such as urban, suburban or rural. The denomination, which in most cases is the student's own tradition, also will vary.
“My mentor pastor helped me work on my confidence as a leader and a pastor.” - Madison Garcia, M.Div. 2020
What Will I Gain from the Program? Discover Learning Opportunities from Perkins’ Alumni
In a storm-ravaged city, an intern discovered how to take immediate action to meet urgent needs while rebuilding and engaging in cooperative urban ministries for the long haul.
In a fast-growing suburb in the South, an intern learned the challenges in planting a new church; and in an inner city in the Northeast, an intern worked to reinvigorate the mission of a very old one.
An intern in a cross-racial internship offered leadership to a willing congregation as it struggled to become more open to cultural and racial diversity.
A student doing an internship in a large faith-based non-profit serving the poor and homeless learned how to address the root causes of poverty while actively working to relieve the misery it breeds.
An intern in a small rural church discovered the rhythm of doing ministry in an agrarian community and the pressing need for the church to lead the way in serving the underserved.
An intern in a large suburban congregation learned how to work as part of a team in a multi-clergy church while at the same time discovering her own leadership style as she developed a major community outreach ministry.
An intern in an agency serving at-risk young people in the foster-care system developed skills not only in working with this group but also in advocating on their behalf for institutional change, encouraging congregations to become aware of this "invisible population."
Learning by listening and leading is the hallmark of the Perkins internship experience. While the intern carries out the tasks of ministry and systematically reflects on the experience, a trained Mentor Pastor provides professional and theological supervision, a Lay Teaching Committee gives regular feedback on performance and the Internship Seminar led by the Intern Faculty and a Mental Health Consultant offers a time to learn practical tools and strategies for ministry, share ministry stories, and receive support and wisdom.
Strengthen Your Christian Leadership Skills Through the Perkins Internship Program
In every type of setting, students will gain invaluable experience in preaching, teaching, administration, pastoral care and other essential areas of ministry while receiving structured feedback from the other members of the internship team.
Learning, listening and leading go both ways as the intern and the faith community at the internship site grow together in ministry. Won’t you join us?
If you have any questions, we encourage you to book a meeting with us.
If you’d like to learn about our programs, access our ebook.
