Bivocational internships

Several paid internships help students prepare for bivocational ministry that combines pastoral ministry with a second vocation. As you prepare for study at AMBS, consider how you might respond to God’s call through two forms of ministry—as Paul and Lydia did. Consider how your pastoral calling may be enhanced by work in another field.

Then explore how these internships will give you the understanding and skills to successfully blend pastoring and another profession.

Internship concentrations

(Links below open the job descriptions for the internships)

Academic librarianship
Become familiar with activities and functions of a theological library and gain experience in systems which facilitate library processes.

Development and fund-raising
Acquire skills and experience in non-profit development and fundraising and develop a vision of fundraising as a ministry.

Communications
Explore communication in a faith-based organization and gain hands-on experience with tools of communication.

Goals

Interns will participate fully in planning and concept stages through the steps of implementation. Supervisors serve as a mentors, guiding learning and tasks and giving counsel as students form identity in the vocation. Opportunities for professional development may include attending conferences and establishing relationships with other professionals in the church who work in the same field.

At the end of the internships, students can expect to have skills and competencies that will be assets in future employment and portfolios that demonstrate their abilities.

Expectations

Interns commit to working ten hours a week for 36 weeks each year. Most of this time is spent during the school year with the possibility of shifting some time to the summer as needed.

Internships are intended to extend for two years. After one year, the supervisor and student will evaluate the experience and determine whether to continue for the second year.

Procedures

Students interested in pursuing an internship should complete the online application for student employment. [This is currently not set up for internship applicants; it should be ready by January 13.] On the form applicants can indicate the concentrations in which they wish to work. Applicants also should submit a resume and reference to Jody Walker, jwalker@ambs.edu. The reference should be from an employer or person who can speak to the student's suitability for the internship.

AMBS administrators will begin reviewing applications after March 31. Applications can be submitted after that date with the understanding that some selections may already have been made.

Each year, two or three students are selected for internships.

Contact

Jody Walker
Financial Aid officer
jwalker@ambs.edu
574.296.6266

Additional information

Mennonite Church USA website: www.mennoniteusa.org
(use search term “bivocational”)