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Internships: Internship Features
A Brief Description of an Internship
Christian Leader
Faith
Features
Philosophy
Responsibility
Sample Schedule
A Brief Description of an Internship at
Christian Encounter Ministries
Christian
Encounter Ministries (CEM) offers ministry
training internships for committed
Christians age 21 and older who love the
Lord and are eager to serve others (college
is helpful but is not required).
Internships are
also available for college students
(juniors, seniors, or graduates) with
interests in counseling, social
work, youth ministries, Christian education,
or rehabilitation programs. These
internships require a minimum commitment of
90 days with the potential term of up to two
years. Academic credits vary with each
college or university.
Additionally,
counseling internships are available for
those with a Master’s degree in psychology
or social work who need supervised hours for
California State licensure (MFT or LCSW).
The graduate internship is a one-year
commitment.
During your
training experience, CEM provides room,
board, and supervision. All CEM interns
are eligible for a grant to help cover other
expenses.
CEM is a
residential discipleship/counseling ministry
for troubled young people (male and female)
ages 16-25. The resident population varies;
our goal is to have between 12 and 18
residents and 6-8 interns year-round. Young
people with a variety of problems come
voluntarily to CEM. Some have endured
terrible abuses, others have extremely
dysfunctional families, many struggle with
substance abuse, depression, etc. CEM was
established in 1970.
Residents stay
three months to two years (one year is
average) and receive Christian counseling,
discipleship, schooling if necessary,
fellowship, love, and plenty of one-on-one
attention. They adhere to a disciplined
schedule and learn how to develop a good
work ethic. As much as possible, we relate
to them as a loving, supportive, “extended
family.”
Ministering to
these young people is both rewarding and
demanding. As servant-leaders, interns
model the Christian life as they live and
work alongside the residents. Interns are
supervised by a staff of committed Christian
professionals who have had years of
residential ministry experience. To prepare
for their duties, interns receive verbal
instruction and a notebook containing
written procedures and guidelines.
Each intern
becomes a discipler for one to three
residents and teaches group Bible studies on
a rotation basis. Interns are
working-supervisors of the residents as they
perform daily assignments that may include
practical training in cooking, cleaning,
gardening, and various other maintenance
tasks on our 82-acre ranch/campus. Each
intern oversees a dorm room with three
residents.
Residential
ministry is demanding. Residents experience
rapid growth. It also develops the intern's
own spiritual maturity and endurance. Many
teachable moments arise during recreation
and non-scheduled times (e.g. boating,
swimming, fishing, hiking, ball games,
etc.).
Together with the
residents, interns participate in a
wilderness program in the high country of
the Sierras; either a two-week late summer
backpack and/or a 4-day winter snow trip.
Included are rock climbing, rappelling and a
ropes course. These experiences foster
teamwork and character development.
Every week interns
have a 3-1/2-hour meeting with the staff.
They always have immediate access to staff
members and other interns in any crisis.
Each intern is assigned a spiritual mentor
who meets with him/her weekly.
Interns have one
day off (14 hours), a four-hour office
time, two 4-hour personal breaks, and
a planned evening off (4 hours) with
fellow interns.
The residential
setting allows interns to experience the
value of team ministry, to see how difficult
it is to maintain good communication, and to
realize the absolute necessity of having
quality time with the Lord every day. If an
intern requests personal counseling, we do
our best to accommodate him/her.
Interns may
contribute articles to CEM’s newsletter,
Expressions, lead in the Sunday morning
worship service, and teach classes or tutor
residents in CEM’s high school.
Interns see the
results of their ministry as they build
relationships and observe residents healing
from emotional and spiritual wounds. Even
though not every resident makes the progress
we hope for, many experience amazing and
lasting transformations.
Interns read a
variety of non-technical apologetic,
inspirational and Christian-living books,
reporting on them weekly. They take the
Meyers-Briggs Type Indicator, Taylor-Johnson
Temperament Analysis, and Religious
Attitudes and Beliefs Inventory. Test
results are discussed with them privately.
They keep a daily journal that is helpful in
writing the 8-to10-page evaluation of their
internship which is part of their exit
interview.
CEM’s internship
program is designed to complement the
academic program of colleges in equipping
students for ministry. Because it is a
“hands - on” process, time for academic
assignments must be limited so interns will
not have to abandon their ministry duties to
complete academic work — a situation which
can be counter-productive and stressful for
the entire intern team.
Former interns
have gone on to serve as missionaries,
teachers, counselors, social workers, youth
ministers and pastors. They have found
their internships invaluable in serving the
Lord in these various capacities.
Please look over
the application packet. If you do not have
an application you may request one by phone
or on line. Feel free to contact us if you
have comments or questions regarding our
internship programs. All residential
internships may be started any day of the
year, depending on openings at the
time.
Jim Parker and
Mark Andrews
Ministers of
Discipleship
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CHRISTIAN LEADER
This internship (short-term mission)
provides tremendous opportunities for
spiritual and emotional growth. Much
satisfaction comes from knowing God is using
you to significantly influence a young
person..
You will work with resident students (ages
16-25) who come to Christian Encounter Ranch
needing help to mature and experience the
blessings God has for them. You are not
simply observing ministry and gaining
theoretical insight, you are actively
involved in the lives of people--people who
need you.
You will develop ministry skills as you
disciple resident students and work with
them in everyday situations. The goal of CEM
is to see our resident students develop
spiritually, physically, mentally,
emotionally, and socially.
You may be assigned 1-3 resident students
whom you will disciple. The Bible study
curriculum is provided. You may be the first
Christian role model for some of our
students.
Along with other interns, you will be in
charge of various ranch activities involving
the resident students. These activities
include:
1. Study Hall supervision
2. Relaxed time coverage
3. Work program direction and supervision
4. Meal and dorm supervision
5. Recreation on/off property
Additional activities include meeting
individually with staff members; attending
the weekly intern discipleship and business
meeting; participating in staff- and
self-evaluations; participating in a
wilderness trip to develop relationships and
facilitate personal growth; and writing an
8-10-page evaluation of your experience. If
your internship is for college credit, you
may also have assignments from your college
.
The minimum time commitment for this
internship is 90 days, with room, board,
and supervision provided. Interns are also
eligible to receive an Intern Grant to help
with other expenses. An intern must be a committed Christian
and at least 21 years old.
To earn college credit, you must be a Junior
or Senior in good standing with your
college. The internship can be started at
any time.
**For more detailed information regarding
the internship program, refer to
A Brief Description of an Internship at
Christian Encounter Ministries.
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FAITH
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
As a non-denominational para-church
organization, it is the purpose of Christian
Encounter Ministries to cooperate with
churches, Christian colleges, and campus
ministries across denominational lines to
help people find a vital and productive
relationship with Jesus Christ, and to
assist in the development of Christian
leaders.
STATEMENT OF FAITH
We believe...
... in God the Father, God the Son and God
the Holy Spirit;
... Jesus, the son of God, is the Christ; He
paid the penalty for our sins; He rose from
the dead and is coming again;
... the Holy Spirit regenerates and
transforms the Christian, which results in
the believer demonstrating the fruit of
maturity by loving and serving God and
others;
... the Bible is the only authoritative and
inspired Word of God, the infallible rule of
faith and conduct for all Christians;
... as members of the body of Christ all
Christians are to cooperate with one another
in order to accomplish God's work on earth.
STATEMENT OF UNITY
Christian Encounter Ministries promotes
unity in the body of Christ.
Therefore, we have two policies which all
staff, interns, trainees, and volunteers agree to honor:
(1) Since we work with churches and colleges
holding many different opinions concerning
the ministry gifts of the Holy Spirit,
leaders at Christian Encounter Ministries,
regardless of personal convictions or
experiences, agree not to exercise the gift
of tongues, interpretation of tongues,
or prophecy, during group worship or
studies at CEM.
(2) Immersion is the only mode of baptism
used at CEM when a believer desires to be
baptized into Christ.
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FEATURES
While interns come as volunteers, there are
many benefits in addition to the valuable
practical experiences. Room and board are
provided free of charge, as are laundry
facilities and supplies. Intern Grants are
also available for the duration of your
internship.
Upon arrival you'll receive an orientation
notebook providing much valuable information
pertinent to your ministry with CEM. You
will be working alongside experienced
interns. This is supplemented with weekly
intern meetings dealing with a variety of
subjects. All interns have an opportunity to
take a battery of three personality tests:
Taylor-Johnson Temperament Analysis,
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Religious
Attitudes and Beliefs Inventory. The
Strong-Campbell Vocational Interest
Inventory is also available for those
seeking additional vocational direction.
Feedback is given by professionally trained
staff after each test. This portion of the
program has been immensely helpful to past
interns, giving them direction and insight
into personal and spiritual gifts and
abilities.
Spiritual needs are addressed. Worship
services are held on the property each
Sunday morning, and in addition to daily
devotional time, there is a mid-week Bible
Study all residents and interns attend. Each
intern is given a spiritual mentor to meet
with weekly. You will grow spiritually as
you help others to see the light of Jesus'
love.
Wilderness camping is part of our ministry.
You will participate in at least one summer
or winter wilderness backpack for your own
personal growth.
You will experience gratification as you see
struggling youth respond to your input into
their lives. You will use a multi-level
Bible curriculum to disciple 1-3 students.
Although we operate on a 24-hour/day
7-day/week schedule, you'll have one day off
per week for your complete leisure. Office
time is scheduled so you can prepare for
your discipleship sessions, lessons, etc.
Saturdays and Sundays are more relaxed with
possibilities for recreation, though student
supervision is still necessary. Friday
nights all interns are off property together
for team-building and relaxation. Interns
also have two additional 4-hour breaks each
week. Lake Tahoe is a convenient get-away
just 90 minutes from the ranch. Grass Valley
and Auburn (old gold-rush towns) are close
by; and the state capital, Sacramento, is
accessible with a short drive. The area
abounds with beauty and many recreational
options.
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PHILOSOPHY
PHILOSOPHY OF THE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
The internship program provides an
opportunity, as part of a ministry team, to
develop personal ministry skills as you
serve others. As much as possible, it is to
be a seeing, practicing, and doing
experience. The long-range goal is to
develop effective, committed, and realistic
Christian leaders who will ultimately train
others. By preparing Christian leaders,
counselors, social workers, missionaries,
ministers, teachers, and administrators,
Christian Encounter Ministries serves the
larger body of Christ.
Ministry today is as demanding as it has
ever been. Society is creating new strains
of emotional turmoil faster than the helping
professions can identify and classify them.
This confronts the Christian community with
personal and vocational challenges of
monumental proportion. These challenges
range from intimidating to overwhelming.
Meeting the deep needs of resident students
demands more than theoretical awareness of
the problems. Staff and interns (short-term
missionaries) are presented with situations
which require creativity, a firm grounding
in the principles of scripture, and personal
resourcefulness in the Holy Spirit.
As you serve others, God ministers to you.
In loving others, you discover the depth and
strength of His love. As you encourage
others to grow, God matures you as His
child. Whether your future holds ministry to
a congregation, a Sunday School class, a
neighbor, or your own family, CEM's training
programs assist you in making the transition
from the theoretical to the practical with
personal growth in Christ as a natural
by-product.
**For more detailed information regarding
the internship program, refer to
A Brief Description of an Internship at
Christian Encounter Ministries.
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RESPONSIBILITY
YOUR RESPONSIBILITY IN MINISTRY
The heart of your commitment to minister at
the Ranch is your willingness to spend as
much time as possible with the young people
who come here for help. This is done in a
variety of ways: sleeping in a dorm room
with 1-3 students, working with them,
informal counseling times, teaching at
formal and informal settings, relaxing and
recreating with them. You are encouraged to
take initiative in as wide a variety of
relational, teachable and/or confrontational
"ministry moments" as possible, thereby
learning by doing.
The students (male and female) who come here
(ages 16-25) may suffer from low
self-esteem, depression, bitterness,
rebellion, lack of love, substance abuse,
physical or sexual abuse, emotional
disturbances, immorality, or a variety of
other emotional and spiritual problems. Each
one is seeking help because of a personal
and/or family crisis. We seek to introduce
every student to Christ and lead each one
into a consistent daily walk with the Lord.
Your spiritual maturity and commitment are
essential as you, along with other interns
and staff, model Christ daily in a wide
variety of settings and circumstances.
Because there has been relatively little
healthy parental involvement in the lives of
many of the students, they have a tremendous
need for security and consistency.
Therefore, the Ranch provides a structured
environment. One of your responsibilities
will involve enforcing the basic rules of
conduct and addressing inappropriate
behavior. You will be expected to do this
with firm kindness.
The ministry is located on an 82-acre ranch
and, as such, there is some physical labor
required of everyone. This gives you the
opportunity to model proper Christian
behavior and attitudes even in difficult
situations as you supervise and work
alongside residents.
You will be part of a community of believers
dedicated to Christian service and to
personal maturity in Christ. You will not
only sharpen your ministry skills, but will
also grow as a child of God through
interaction with students, other interns,
and staff.
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SAMPLE SCHEDULE
A weekly schedule might appear as follows.
The schedule will vary for each intern.
(This does not represent a fully detailed
daily schedule.)
|
* |
SUN |
MON |
TUES |
WED |
THURS |
FRI |
SAT |
|
Morn |
Church |
Break |
Office |
Day Off |
Intern Mtg. |
Work Program |
Group Mtg./
Chores |
|
aft |
Super-vision Duty |
Work Program |
Work Program |
Day Off |
Work Program/ Class |
Work Program |
Break |
|
eve |
Supervise Study Hall |
Super-vision Duty |
Family Mtg. |
Day Off |
Supervise Study Hall |
Intern
Team Off |
Super-vision Duty |
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