We welcome our first intern to our Church family in a few days. I’m nervous and excited at the same time! I can’t wait for the journey to begin, but I’m realizing he’s counting on me to teach him at least something along the way. Let’s face it, he’ll probably take more notes on what not to do, but at least he’s learning. To help us both grow along the way, I’ve decided to post about my personal journey through this mentorship.
This series will be less about my Intern and more about my growth and learning through the process. Don’t expect me to vent about a student — you’ll be disappointed. If anything, I’ll praise him up, because I know he’ll teach me a thing or two.
In this post, I’ll outline my thoughts heading into this journey. In part 2, I’ll check in half-way with an update. In part 3, I’ll finish off by writing about what I’ve learned and how the process has helped me grow.
If every moment isn’t about growing, then you’re not leading.
Before the internship begins, here are some of my thoughts as a supervisor/mentor:
1. I don’t know what I’m doing…
This is where my future intern should stop reading. Just kidding. This will be the first thing that comes out of my mouth when we meet for the first time. I may have more experience, but every day is a new day with new situations.
Experience doesn’t give you the answers, it helps you navigate each new situation we experience more efficiently. Education works the same way. We can’t learn everything we need to know in just a few years. Education helps us learn how to study and become continual learners.
[shareable cite=”AtH0lm”]Experience doesn’t give you the answers, it helps you navigate each new situation we experience more efficiently.[/shareable]
2. I will plan to the best of my ability…
Planning is a promise I’m going to keep. That doesn’t mean things won’t change, but God expects us to do our best in preparing for the days ahead.
We’ll make a plan, execute that plan, and allow God the flexibility to change that plan whenever possible.
3. I want to learn in the process…
As I tell everyone I lead, “If you want to grow, you need to become more mature today than you were yesterday.” Achieving that will always lead to a journey of growth. This is a great situation to help me exemplify that advice…and I can’t wait!
I started a certificate course in September called “Pastoral Supervision” with Queens College, and I can’t wait to challenge myself to, not only implement what I’ve learned, but to also grow as a leader in the process.
[shareable cite=”AtH0lm”]If you want to grow, you need to become more mature today than you were yesterday.[/shareable]
4. I have something to offer…
I’m not sure about you, but I often undersell myself. I started my education journey by completing a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from Memorial. I was taught to up-sell my skills all the time. When I completed my Masters of Theological Studies (MTS) at Tyndale, and embraced the world of ministry, humility became a core element of the conversation.
It’s difficult to navigate confidence with humility; it often results in us underselling ourselves. So walking into this internship, I need to remind myself that I have at least something to offer.
[shareable cite=”AtH0lm”]It’s difficult to navigate confidence with humility…Don’t undersell yourself…you have something to offer.[/shareable]
5. I can’t wait for it to begin…
Every time I plan, or think about the next few months, I become so excited for the journey ahead. I think the process will be challenging and beneficial for our intern, congregation, church board, and myself.
Please join with us in prayer as we all GROW together to WORSHIP, LOVE, and SERVE.
Your turn…
Let us know that you’re praying for us by commenting below! We’ll need your prayers!
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