Intern: Summer 2018
Where were you in your process of ministry development?
Between my 2nd and 3rd years of Seminary.
How did it help in your ministry and growth?
I loved my time working at Oaks Parish Church of Portland as an intern of the Pacific NW church planting network. I had worked for a campus ministry but had never seen what it was like to be on staff with a church before. I was brought in and given firsthand experience doing the day to day work of pastoral staff. And I am thankful for the time that my mentors Bryan and Charlie spend with me, showing me the ropes and introducing me into the life of a church planter.
I also learned a lot about what it means to adapt across cultures since I grew up in the South. I developed a love for Portland in its unique identity, while also growing in appreciation of my home state and culture. I realized more about myself by “trial and error;” trying things and figuring out that I am not suited to everything and that’s okay. Bryan and Charlie really helped me discern my own gifts and affirmed them. For that I am incredibly grateful.
Any highlights from your experience?
I remember with fondness the trips I took to join the other interns at training seminars in Bellingham, WA. There was such a deep camaraderie and we were together in such a beautiful environment. It was important for me to meet other people near my stage in life who didn’t think of church planting or pastoral ministry as “crazy.” It made sense to us and we didn’t have to explain the desire to go into that field with one another. Instead we could simply offer support since the world at large was not likely to understand.
The other stand out memory are all the friendships I made that summer with parishioners at Oaks Parish. People invited me into their homes or we would meet out for beer, coffee, or Street Food (all of which are superb in Portland). I was amazed at how much they let me in and I could give them real support even as a pastoral intern. It made me hungry for developing one on one relationships deeply with my congregants if I do end up in pastoral ministry. I still keep in touch with them to this day.
What are you doing now?
I am finishing my last year of a M. Div. degree at Covenant Theological Seminary and am scheduled to graduate later this month. After that, my wife and I are moving to St. Andrews, Scotland because I have been accepted into a Master’s program there in Theology. I hope to continue on to a Ph.D. in the field of Historical Theology to benefit the church. From there, I do not know what is next. I would love to serve in the church whether as a pastor, elder, or lay leader and might search out jobs as a professor (either at the undergraduate or seminary level).