The Vocational Intern Program is a project of the Board of Ordained Ministry for men and women college age and beyond who are considering a vocation in ministry in the United Methodist Church. The Vocational Intern Program provides an opportunity for participants to have “real life” experiences of Christian ministry in parish situations or specialized settings.
The intern receives $ 3000.00 stipend (50 % is reimbursed by the Board of Ordained Ministry at the completion of the internship to the church or ministry site).
This is a great opportunity to get a close-up view with valuable on-the-ground training in ministry. Congregations and pastors who would welcome a helping hand (and an inquiring mind) during the summer could find themselves preparing a next-generation leader for the church.
The intern's assignment in a rural, suburban, urban or inner-city situation will be made on the basis of a mutual selection between the applicant, the church and the VIP Committee. The pastor or director of the specialized ministry will provide supervision and mentoring. The church pays the $3,000 stipend, but the conference Board of Ordained Ministry reimburses one-half of it at the completion of the 10-week internship.
Applicants must have completed at least one year of college and be a member of the United Methodist Church.
Ministry Sites, please submit an internship program plan by March 01. Interns, the application deadline is also March 01. It is anticipated that all placements will be completed by May 01.
“The Vocational Internship Program was for me a key factor in discerning a call to the ordained ministry,” says the Rev. Bill Lentz, pastor of Lehman UMC in Hatboro. “Thirty-one years later, I look back on those days when local churches of our annual conference gave me the opportunity to spread my wings by giving me room to explore my gifts and calling for service. I have enjoyed making that same experience available to others looking for room to grow in grace as they explore the call.”
To take the next step, print and fill out the following materials:
Also, if you benefited from this program in the past–either as a Vocational Intern or as a sponsoring church–and would recommend it to students and churches, please send us a brief statement revealing what you found helpful about that experience. Write to us at communications@epaumc.church.