PJ’s Page –
When I arrived at Trinity Lutheran Seminary this week, for a wonderful continuing education event, there was a message that the Director of Contextual Education wanted to see me. The Contextual Education folks place students in internship sites, among other things.
I wasn’t terribly surprised when she started to lay out all of the reasons she wanted Luther Memorial to consider serving as an internship site in partnership with Trinity again. Vicar (now Pastor) Inge Williams was formed so well in this place and she was a gift to us. In similar fashion, Vicar Michael has been a delight to serve alongside and he regularly reports that he has learned much from his time among us. (Although Vicar Michael is not affiliated with TLS.)
While you might think that every congregation has what it takes to serve as an internship site, you might be surprised to know that internship sites have to meet some specific published criteria. More than that, though, there is a certain ethos to a healthy internship site. It’s that “special something” that is partly learned but mostly just inherent in the DNA of a place.
Luther Memorial has that something.
I have seen and been in congregations that were not equipped to serve in this way. But Luther Memorial does it well.
One of the reasons I would enthusiastically support being in partnership with Trinity Seminary is that I believe strongly that seminarians and candidates for ministry are formed and prepared to serve the entire Church. It might be in Boston or Seattle or someplace in between. When a student from a Midwestern seminary has the chance to serve in a different cultural context, like Seattle, they have a tremendous opportunity to learn more about ministry and about themselves than they would staying in a place where they are familiar with how the Church lives and serves.
Another reason I would like to see us partner with Trinity again is because they have gone to a new model of theological education called “2 + 2.” This model incorporates two years of on campus education with two years of internship. TLS feels strongly that students AND their internship congregations have much to gain from this model. Interns who have shown much growth and come into their own by the end of a year will be ready to serve more fully in a second year. Interns who have progressed at a slower pace benefit from having a longer span of time in which to learn and become more confident in what it takes to be a pastor or deacon.
My final reason for promoting this partnership is a “reason of the heart” if you will. Trinity Lutheran Seminary is one of the finest seminaries in the country, boasting a stellar faculty and a staff who augments what the student learns with practical support. I believe in and support TLS and their mission of forming students at work for Christ’s Church in the world. And I believe in the mission of Luther Memorial Church. Your commitment to serving others with faith, grace, and courage inspires me every single day. I cannot imagine a better place to be formed as a pastor in the church than among this congregation.
There are many pieces that would need to come together in order for us to serve as an internship site in partnership with TLS. We would need to find housing for two years that is affordable and safe. We would need to find funding for the costs associated with the internship program.
We would also need to participate in the mutual selection process to discern if there is a match between a student preparing for internship and our congregation.
In the days ahead, especially at Fall Forum, we will talk about the possibilities for serving as an internship site in the years ahead. The question we will begin with is: Is this a part of what God is calling us to?
I hope you will pray with me in the days and weeks ahead: in thanksgiving for the interns this congregation has raised up and with hope for the future.
Joyfully,
Pastor Julie+