Once you have been accepted for National Ordained Ministry training and completed your foundation theological qualification, you will commence a 22-month internship.Your internship could be in a congregational setting, a pioneering missional setting or a combination of both. We will discern, along with you, what will be the best setting for you to continue to respond and form your call. Internships in congregations and missional settings are designed to help the intern develop the gifts and acquire the skills necessary to exercise ministry and leadership within such communities.
During the weeks when an intern is in their placement setting, 75% of their time will be spent in mentored ministry and 25% spent in study and residential block courses (3 per year). Over the course of the internship approximately five to six weeks will be spent attending block courses, and an average of 1.5 days a week doing assigned reading, working on assignments and completing other learning requirements. The rest of the time an intern will be engaged in ministry under the direction of the Mentoring Minister and in supervision or reflection.
The internship starts in late January/early February of any given year with a residential summer block course. The block courses are organised around the teaching of seven main subject:
- Theological Reflection
- Worship
- Presbyterian and Reformed Christianity
- Preaching the Scriptures
- Mission in Community
- Leadership in Community
- Pastoral Care and Christian Formation
Also while on block course, we will engage with various site-visits to explore ministry and mission initiatives. At least once during your 22-month internship, one block course will include a stay at Te Maungarongo Marae in Ohope.
Twice a year you will also join with interns in your general geographical area for a one-day colloquium. A colloquium is a time when each intern presents a case-study from their placement and this is then worked through and reflected on by those present (interns, mentoring ministers, supervisors and field-work co-ordinators). It might sound a little overpowering however it is a rich time of discovery, support and growth. Click here for the Colloquium guide.
As important as skills and theological instincts are, however, forming and claiming a character and identity are equally so. Thus, the internship can be understood as a time of theological learning, skill development and personal/professional formation. Important in this process is the intern’s ability to integrate their theological learning with their ministry and life and to continue to nurture their own faith journey.
A comprehensive outline of the internship program is available in the KCML Internship Programme Handbook 2023