Applications Open for 2022 Explore Summer Ministry Internships

The Explore Summer Internship exists to help young adults (18-25 years old) discern their call to vocational ministry by providing an environment for exploring their gifts and giving the intern opportunities to explore particular aspects of ministry and/or program development in a safe and encouraging environment.

The internship is a hands-on experience in a church setting or a church-affiliated organization. Interns engage in a broad range of ministerial work and/or program development then reflect on their experiences. Interns are not meant to fill a certain hole in the ministerial staff, they are to be given opportunities to experience the full breadth of pastoral ministry; to discover, dream, develop and deliver, to learn by doing as well as by observing and discussing.

The Intern Application, Selection & Assignment Process:
Candidates for the Explore Internship Program are selected based on their written application. After selecting the interns, the Explore Internship selection committee places them based on ministry setting preference, previous experience, the makeup and setting of the host congregation, and the prayer/discernment of the selection team. This team does its best to make pairings that will be beneficial and life-giving to the intern, the clergy mentor, and host congregation/organization.

Internship Schedule for Summer 2022
Wednesday, December 1, 2021: Application Opens https://wnc-reg.brtapp.com/Explore
Wednesday, February 16, 2022: Application Deadline
Thursday, February 17, 2022: Applicants contacted to schedule a virtual interview
Monday, May 23, 2022: Intern/Mentor Virtual Orientation from 10:00-Noon and first day of internship
Thursday, June 23, 2022: Support Team Meeting from 10:00-Noon. Will be held virtually
Thursday, July 14, 2022: Support Team Meeting from 10:00-Noon. Will be held virtually
Sunday, July 31, 2022: Last day of Internship

***The Intern is expected to begin and end on the dates listed above and is expected to serve in the location she/he is assigned for the duration of the 10 weeks. Unless there are extenuating circumstances, interns will not be excused to participate in mission trips with other groups, take vacations, etc. Any exceptions should be determined in conversation with the clergy mentor and Rev. Annalee Allen, Associate Director of Ministerial Services for the WNC Conference.

Funding for Explore
Each intern will receive a $3,000 stipend paid by the WNC Conference. A payroll packet will be completed before orientation and a blank check must be provided for direct deposit. If needed, housing will be provided by the Host Congregation/Organization.

Application deadline is Wednesday, February 16, 2022
Use this link to submit an application
https://wnc-reg.brtapp.com/Explore

For more information contact: Rev. Annalee Allen at aallen@wnccumc.org