Over a decade ago I had the pleasure and privilege of being on internship. Internship proved to be a pivotal time in which I figured out – with God’s help and the help of my supervising pastor – what pastoral ministry was about. You learn much in seminary about the ministry but there’s nothing like having boots on the ground. To borrow an image C.S Lewis used about theology in Mere Christianity, seminary provides us a map of the ministry. Internship has us visit that map with someone, often times but not always, taking a vicar/intern pastor by the hand, as Virgil did for Dante in Inferno or as Beatrice does for Dante in Paradiso. It is always our hope and prayer, of course, that for a vicar/intern pastor, their time spent on internship is more of a paradiso than an inferno!

As I reflect back on my time on internship, there are two big lessons learned that proved beneficial for the last 11 ½ years or so of my ordained ministry. No doubt, other seasoned pastors could add more. For the sake of brevity I’ll keep it to two.

1) The importance of having a place to learn and grow knowing the Lord’s gracious people would bear that burden joyfully. I can only imagine what my first sermons were like. God bless that congregation in St. Paul that endured my meager offerings of the Word. It also is a blessing, perhaps, knowing vicars/intern pastors move on after they have “cut their teeth”! Regardless, when others know you’re a “rookie” in the ministry they cut you a bit of slack. Parish ministry will be the same, at least for the first few years of a call!

2) The importance of having a mentor walk through various ministry challenges: How do I lead a Bible study? What do I say at the funeral home? How do I respond to a confirmation student who says they don’t believe in Jesus? Why does this congregation worship the way it does? Do I approach someone who needs pastoral counsel or do I let them come to me? Questions like this, “casuistry” as the old Lutherans would call it, are essential to ask. It’s a good thing to have other faithful shepherds after ordination as well. The questions never go away.

I write this to point out the obvious: Internship is crucial for pastoral growth. Though there is no “one size, fits all” model of internship, internship itself is very valuable. At Lutheran CORE we seek to connect congregations in many ways – one of our goals as a NETWORK. At Lutheran CORE, we also are invested in the next generation of pastors for Christ’s Church. So, if you are a pastor, would you be willing to be an internship supervisor? Perhaps we can connect you to someone. If you are a congregational leader, would you consider your congregation a safe place to learn and grow for a fledgling pastor? If so, perhaps we can connect you to a gifted candidate. If you are interested in the ministry, have had some seminary training, and are looking for what the next step is but aren’t sure where to go, perhaps Lutheran CORE can help too.

We recognize that various church bodies already have existing structures to meet this need so this might only apply to LCMC pastors, churches and students. But even if we can only help LCMC brothers and sisters in Christ, for the sake of the harvest of souls, let us know!

“Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, the God who is our salvation. God is to us a God of deliverances; and to God the Lord belong escapes from death.”  (Psalm 68:19-20)

We think it is our work that does all that is needed.  The farmer plants the seed, but God causes it to grow.  Look beyond and see that the Lord causes all things to thrive, grow and live.  It is the Lord who daily carries the burden; and we are given the opportunity to praise Him.  God offers deliverance to all who come to Him that they may live, prosper and have their being.  Come to the Lord.

Lord, I am busy with what I do, and think that I am the one who builds, creates and does these things.  Remove far from me the thinking that depends upon myself that I would look to You who carries the burden that we all may live.  You are the God who causes all things to be and creates the possibility for life and all prosperity.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way You would have me go.

Lord Jesus, You have come to lead the way into the true life which You have created.  Guide me in the way of life that is eternal and help me walk in Your ways.  Keep me from the arrogance of self-sufficiency that I may know that it is You who causes all things to work the way they do, knowing that all things will work together for good for those who love You.  Lead me today, O Lord.  Amen.

“His speech was smoother than butter, but his heart was war; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.  Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.  But You, O God, will bring them down to the pit of destruction; men of bloodshed and deceit will not live out half their days.  But I will trust in You.”  (Psalm 55:21-23)

 Cast your burden upon the Lord.  Do you trust the Lord in all things and through all things?  Yes, those in the world speak with smooth lips and they manipulate you to bring you away from trusting the Lord, but do not trust the one whose heart is against the ways of the Lord.  Those who go the way of destruction plot their own doom.  Those who seek the Lord will find His mercy and grace.

Lord this is a world filled with wickedness, yet also Your goodness is revealed every day.  In a world filled with persuasive evils, help me to see the simplicity of the goodness You have spoken from the beginning.  Guide me in Your ways, O Lord, that I would walk in them.  Close my ears to the wickedness of the world, but open them to the sweetness of Your mercy and grace.

Jesus, my Savior, grace Incarnate, guide me in the way I should go and open my ears to hear Your Word when You speak.  Grant that I may have a discerning heart to know when things are amiss.  Lead me to be gracious to others as You are gracious to me.  Help me understand more fully the Gospel way and live that way all the days of my life.  Lead me, for You alone know what is needed.  Amen.