Checklists

EARLY-IN-THE-YEAR CHECKLIST FOR INTERNS AND SUPERVISORS

Intern and Supervisor have spent quality time together socially to get better acquainted.
Expectations in regard to worship involvement have been clarified explicitly.
A preaching schedule for at least the first quarter of the year has been established.
Teaching assignments have been given and explained for at least the first quarter.
Objectives and expectations in regard to visitation have been shared.
Expectations in regard to office hours have been delineated.
Supervisor has introduced intern at hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted care facilities.
Youth ministry involvements and expectations have been sketched.
"Pet professional peeves" have been shared both by Pastor and Intern.
The congregation’s Internship Committee has met and is assisting with start-up details.
Pastor and Intern have made plans to attend the first Internship Cluster meeting of the year.
Housing for intern is satisfactorily adequate.
Intern has relatively convenient access to a church phone.
Intern's office is adequate in terms of space, lighting, ventilation, heating, book shelves, relative ease of access, etc.
"Pay Day" matters have been clarified. When is Intern to expect the first check? From whom? Suggested procedure if check is delayed for any reason?
Intern understands process in regard to auto allowances.
"Time Off" and Sabbath opportunities have been reviewed.
Intern knows how important punctuality is to the Supervisor.
Expectations in regard to dress and grooming have been discussed.
Schedule has been set in regard to weekly supervisory sessions. Supervisor and Intern have clarified when and where to meet, advance preparations by each, and how inviolate that time shall be.
Early leads have been shared about how best to get acquainted in the neighborhood and outreach area.
Intern has, with the Supervisor's assistance, built a resource and referral list.
Intern is receiving and reading the local newspaper.
Intern has weighed carefully the values of keeping a journal.
The Supervisor has clarified his/her expectations in regard to the Intern's reports on visits made.
The Intern understands what reports would be helpful and expected for the Church newsletter, Church Council, and congregational meetings.
The nature of the interrelationships with other staff members has been reviewed.
The Intern has visited with and covenanted to learn from the person(s) responsible for music in the parish.
The Intern has declared a desire to get acquainted with office procedures and machines, but has been assured that, apart from helping out occasionally, the Intern will not function as an assistant secretary or office helper.
The Intern and Supervisor have covenanted to minimize "surprises" for one another.
Mutual expectations in regard to counseling opportunities have been reviewed.
If intern is married, special attentions have been given to easing the spouse's adjustment to the new surroundings.
Intern knows recommended shops, stores, restaurants, banks and savings institutions, and professionals (doctor, dentist, etc.) in the area.
The Supervisor has agreed to provide early and ample valuative comments, modeling honesty, openness, candor, and kindness while doing so.
The Intern has shown particular care with time allocation and management during the early weeks of the internship, cognizant of the power in setting patterns, and paying special attention to safeguarding time for devotions, reading, exercising and other forms of self-nurture.
The Intern has been assured that information about Conference, Synod, and local pastors' gatherings will be shared and attendance given high priority.
Notice of arrival on site has been mailed to the seminary.
Copy of the completed Learning/Serving Agreement has been mailed to the seminary.
Intern has pondered how best to pastor Pastor.
Intern has reflected on the importance of first impressions.
Intern continues to celebrate the primacy of grace in ministry.
Intern has determined how best to make contributions-of-record to the sponsoring congregation/agency.

MID-YEAR INTERNSHIP CHECKLIST

I've taught at least three different age levels in the parish's education program.
As either learner or teacher, I've participated in at least one teacher-training event.
I've become acquainted with my supervisor's and one other pastor's adult membership class procedures.
I have or am planning to administer some educational enterprise or event in the life of this parish. (e.g. Christmas program; Vacation Church School; educational fair; etc.)
I've solicited the valuative counsel of a professional teacher in helping me to improve my ministry in the classroom.
I've preached on at least two Old Testament texts.
I've attempted a story sermon.
At least some of my sermons have gone as long as the 12-15 minute range.
I still practice my sermons aloud at least twice before Sunday delivery.
I have developed a varied and reliable technique for getting useful sermon feedback.
I've made some calls on prospective members.
I've made some calls on inactive members.
I've participated in at least two funerals.
I've done some long-term pastoring in grief situations.
I've witnessed how wedding rehearsals are conducted.
I've been involved in pre-baptismal consultations with parents.
I've participated in an early-communion training session.
I've reviewed at least one set of confirmation training materials other than the ones currently used in this parish.
I've kept a two-week time log (in 15 min. segments) during at least one time interval so far.
Aside from reading for specific preparations, I've read no less than an average of one book a month.
I've kept a journal for at least a brief time period.
I've reviewed my sacramental theology with my supervisor.
I've challenged a person I think to be especially qualified to consider ordained ministry as her/his vocation.
I've observed and participated in stewardship education for the parish.
I've observed with some care the congregation's budget-setting procedures.
I've witnessed to my faith while calling on some nominally churched person.
The importance of evangelism and mission outreach has been quite central in my preaching, teaching, visitation, and lifestyle.
I now have more physical stamina for ministry than I had at the end of my third month of internship.
I'm acquainted with the categories of data required for the annual parochial report.
I've had at least an introduction to office procedures, record keeping, and the operation of office machines.
I've shared in the training of adults to help serve as youth sponsors.
I continue to work on learning more about the care and nurturing of volunteers.
I continue to meet and learn from those persons charged with directing the music in this parish.
I continue to develop skill and sensitivity in making hospital calls.
More often than not, I lead in prayer when making a sick or shut-in call.
I believe I am able to minister quite effectively in hospitals, nursing homes, or assisted-care facilities.
Before serving as lector, I study the lessons and practice reading them aloud.
If I chant, I continue to practice with the organist.
I regularly inquire how I might help with a burden or two I know pastor is carrying.
I've explored clergy tax tips and other matters of fiscal management with my supervisor, other pastors.
As may be necessary at times, I've learned to handle four or more nights a week devoted to parish ministry.
I press on to get better acquainted with the Evangelical Lutheran Worship (or other appropriate denominational hymnal and service book) as a resource for worship.
I have made it my business to get acquainted with the polity of the church body in which I shall be seeking ordination.
I believe I have a feel for the "ethos" of the church body in and with which I intend to minister.
A current social problem or issue was the subject of at least one article I've written for the church newsletter.
I continue to read the community newspaper to which I have subscribed.
I attempt to learn more about and support the local community.
I am determined to leave no unpaid bills with local merchants/professionals.
I have been meeting with the chairperson of my internship committee before the group convenes in an effort to improve the quality and mutual helpfulness of those gatherings.
I give continuing attention to regular prayer and my personal devotional life.
I acknowledge and practice responsible self-care and self-nurture.
I have been involved, as counselor or observer, in some marital crisis counseling.
I have sought to include marriage enrichment as a continuing part of my ministry.
I have reviewed what pastor does with pre-marital counseling and have been involved selectively in it.
I have committed to contributing a tithe to the church where I have been called to serve.
I have had experience with hymn selection and the fashioning of some special liturgies.
I have sought to gain sensitivity and experience in helpful ministry to singles.
I allow lists such as this to give me a needed nudge or two but not to dishearten me about what all I still need to learn or experience about ministry.

LATE-IN-THE-YEAR INTERNSHIP CHECKLIST

I've taught at least three different age levels in the parish's education program.
I'm quite well acquainted with my supervisor's and one other pastor's adult membership class procedures.
As either learner or teacher, I've taken part in some teacher-training events.
I've administered some educational enterprise in the parish (e.g. served as Director of the Vacation Church School).
I've preached on at least two Old Testament texts.
I've attempted a story sermon.
At least some of my sermons have gone as long as the 15-18 minute range.
I still practice my sermons aloud at least twice before Sunday delivery.
I've made some calls on inactive members.
I've made some calls on prospective members.
I've participated in at least two funerals.
I've done some long-term pastoring in grief situations.
I've witnessed how wedding rehearsals are conducted.
I've been involved in pre-baptismal consultations with parents.
I've participated in an early-communion training program.
I've reviewed at least one set of confirmation training materials other than the ones currently used in this parish.
I've kept a two-week time log (in 15 minute segments) during at least one time interval so far.
Aside from reading for specific preparations, I've read no less than an average of one book a month.
I've kept a journal for at least a brief time period.
I've reviewed my sacramental theology with my supervisor.
I've challenged a person I think to be especially qualified to consider ordained ministry as his/her vocation.
I've observed with some care the congregation's budget-setting procedures.
I've preached a sermon which had a clear stewardship emphasis in relation to money.
I've witnessed to my faith while calling on some nominally churched person.
The importance of evangelism and mission outreach has been quite central in my preaching and teaching.
I now have more physical stamina for ministry than I had at the end of my third month of internship.
I'm acquainted with the categories of data required for the annual parochial report.
I've had at least an introduction to office procedures, record keeping, and the operation of office machines.
I've shared in the training of adults to serve as youth sponsors.
I've explored clergy tax tips and other matters of fiscal management with my supervisor, other pastors, or a clergy tax consultant.
I continue to work on learning more about the care and nurturing of volunteers.
I continue to develop skill and sensitivity in making hospital calls.
More often than not, I lead in prayer when making a sick or shut-in call.
I am able to minister quite effectively in nursing home and assisted care facilities.
Before serving as lector, I study the lessons and practice reading them aloud.
I regularly inquire how I might help with a burden or two I know pastor is carrying.
As may be necessary at times, I can handle four nights a week devoted to parish ministry.
I press on to get better acquainted with the LBW as a resource for worship.
I have made it my business to get acquainted with the polity of the church body in which I shall be seeking ordination.
I have a feel for the ethos of the church in which I intend to serve.
A current social problem or issue was the subject of at least one article I've written for the church paper.
I continue to read the community newspaper to which I subscribed.
I am determined to leave no unpaid bills with local merchants/professionals.
I have been meeting with the chairman of my internship committee before the group convenes in an effort to improve the quality and helpfulness of those gatherings.
I give continuing attention to regular prayer and my personal devotion life.
I have been involved in some marital crisis counseling - as counselor or observer.
I have reviewed what pastor does with pre-marital counseling and have been involved selectively in it.
I have had experience with hymn selection and the fashioning of special liturgies.
I have sought to include marriage enrichment as a continuing part of my ministry.
I let lists like this give me a needed nudge or two but not dishearten me about what all I still need to learn.