Guidelines for Internship in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America requires candidates for ordination to complete satisfactorily an approved internship. Internship consists of a supervised contextual experience designed to contribute to the formation of pastoral identity and the development of the requisite skills for the public exercise of ministry. Internship is normally full time for one year as the third year of the seminary four-year degree program. A unit of approved supervised clinical ministry experience may be counted as part of the internship year with the approval of the seminary and Candidacy Committee. Normally congregations and supervisors approved by ELCA seminaries, in consultation with synodical bishops, provide the settings and guidance for internships. To facilitate the internship program, the Vocation and Education Unit has established standards and guidelines for internship. Each seminary creates policies and procedures through which the standards are implemented. Responsibility for interpreting these standards and guidelines and considering requests for exceptions resides with the seminary in consultation with the appropriate synod and the Vocation and Education Unit.

A. ELCA Seminaries

The seminaries shall:

1. provide adequate policies, procedures, resources, support, and faculty staffing to maintain an internship program consistent with the expectations of the ELCA.
2. place eligible students on internship in accordance with the expectations of the ELCA and the policies and procedures of the respective seminaries.
3. and distribute the seminary's policies and procedures concerning internships.
4. maintain effective communication with synodical bishops concerning settings and supervisors.
5. with synodical Candidacy Committees about internship candidates prior to placement.
6. provide common programs to orient and train every new supervisor and to further the development of experienced supervisors in partnership with the churchwide office.
7. maintain effective processes for placement and orientation prior to internship, as well as provide reflection following internship.
8. receive and review supervisor written reports on at least a quarterly basis.
9. confer with synodical Candidacy Committees as necessary and provide summary evaluations (Form D) at the conclusion of internships prior to the Approval Interviews of the candidates by the committees.
10. provide guidance and support during the internship year in a variety of ways including site visits.
11. when necessary, terminate an internship after appropriate consultation.

B. Synods

The synodical bishop (or designate) shall:

1. identify and encourage potential congregations and pastors to consider applying to participate in the internship program.
2. maintain effective communication with seminary field education offices relative to settings and pastors.
3. provide opportunities for ELCA interns in the territory of the synod to participate in the programs and functions of the ELCA and the synod.
4. offer necessary support for the Horizon Internship program, including adequate synodical funding.

The synodical Candidacy Committee shall:

1. advise students from their synod at non-ELCA seminaries to affiliate with an ELCA seminary during the first year of their academic program in order to meet prerequisites for an eventual ELCA internship.
2. at time of Endorsement, convey any recommendations regarding internship, including international Horizon or specialized ministry sites, to candidates and the appropriate internship directors by means of the Endorsement Decision Form.
3. receive written evaluations regarding candidates' internship experiences prior to the approval interviews of the candidates by the Candidacy Committee.

C. Interns

Interns are candidates who have a positive Endorsement from their synodical Candidacy Committee, are enrolled in or affiliated with an ELCA seminary, and are approved for internship placement by that seminary. Interns serve in a sustained supervised ministry experience. Interns are placed in approved settings by the seminaries. To assist in that placement, candidates for internship are expected to consult with their Candidacy Committee and their internship director. Interns are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the policies of the ELCA.

Criteria and Standards for Candidates for Internship

Candidates will:

1. apply for internship through the internship office of their seminary or, if attending a non-ELCA seminary, through the ELCA seminary with which they are affiliated.
2. develop broad learning goals for the internship year in consultation with the synodical Candidacy Committee and seminary faculty to be used in considerations leading to placement.
3. develop specific and agreed upon learning goals with the supervisor and internship committee once placement has been made.
4. seek to develop and maintain sound and effective relationships with the supervisor, other staff members, the internship committee, and members of the congregation.
5. maintain appropriate contacts with the synodical bishop, Candidacy Committee, and seminary. While on internship, interns are to submit reports and evaluations as requested in a timely manner.
6. engage in personal prayer, study, and theological reflection and discussion on issues related to ministry and be accountable for these practices to either a Spiritual Director or Supervisor.
7. attend internship cluster meetings, conference meetings, and synodical events and participate in appropriate community groups and activities.
8. become conversant with the policy, programs, curriculum, official documents, and official statements of the ELCA.
9. inform the seminary internship director in a timely manner of any concerns or difficulties that develop in the course of the internship.

D. Supervisors

A supervisor is normally an ordained Lutheran minister who has served a minimum of three years and in the setting for at least one year. Pastors who serve as supervisors are expected to be committed to internship as an educational component in the preparation of candidates for ordained ministry. The pastor must be approved as a supervisor by the seminary to which application is made in consultation with the synodical bishop and field education colleagues. Pastors serve as an effective model for and guide to the intern with regard to personal faith, spiritual discipline, personal habits, public ministry, and participation in the wider church. They provide supervised opportunities for the intern to participate in all dimensions of pastoral ministry. All supervisors must participate in supervisory training as provided by the seminaries for new and experienced supervisors.

Criteria and Standards for Supervisors

The supervisor will:

1. share with and involve the intern in all aspects of ministry as appropriate, assisting and sharing accountability with the intern to achieve mutually agreed upon learning goals. A collaborative model of ministry is encouraged.
2. reflect on the pastoral ministry and the intern's work and well-being in weekly supervisory sessions.
3. guide the intern in developing responsible and effective partnership in ministry with laity.
4. know and support the polity, policies, and positions of this church, including those matters relating to leadership in sacramental practices.
5. participate in the life of the synod and provide opportunities for the intern to experience and participate in synodical programs and events, as well as in appropriate local ecumenical, interfaith, and community organizations and activities.
6. participate in continuing education.
7. support the internship committee and facilitate its functioning.
8. attend internship cluster meetings regularly with the intern.
9. cooperate with the seminary regarding policies and practices contained in each seminary's internship manual.
10. provide written reports and evaluations to the seminary at least quarterly, discerning growth and progress as well as any concerns.
11. participate in the placement process as requested by the seminary.

E. Settings

Settings provide opportunities for the intern to be broadly and appropriately engaged in the practices of ministry, including occasions unique to the setting. Such opportunities are an expression of the setting's commitment to internship as an educational component in the candidate's preparation. All internship sites, including Horizon internship sites, are to meet the following ELCA expectations related to settings.

Criteria and Standards for Settings

Settings:

1. are expected to be open to any Endorsed candidate of the ELCA.
2. are chosen (and periodically evaluated) by the seminary after consultation with the bishop of the synod related to each setting.
3. normally are congregationally based.
4. are expected to have a written policy for sexual ethics, sick leave, and lifelong learning.
5. are expected to apply to only one seminary.
6. are expected to insure that the necessary resources (e.g. financial, supervisory, etc.) are provided.
7. will be committed to internship as an educational component in the preparation of candidates for the ordained ministry.
8. will provide opportunities for the intern to be broadly and appropriately engaged in ministerial activities.
9. will provide adequate support to the intern (and family), including forming a committee of lay members to provide to the intern and the supervisor with feedback and evaluation.
10. in keeping with the policies of the ELCA, interns will not preside at Baptism, except in the case of emergency, or Eucharist without the authorization of the synodical bishop and then only in extraordinary circumstances.
11. will model awareness of and connectedness to the ELCA as a whole with ongoing supportive relationships not limited to, but including, financial benevolence.