Office of Contextual LearningInternship Handbooki

2017-2018

Table of Contents

What is Internship?...........................................................................................2 Student Preparation for Internship…………………………..…………………………………..3Goals and Outcomes of Internship………………………………………………………………..6

Learning Goals…………………………………………………………………………………………9 Evaluations……………………………………………………………………………………………11 Internship Project………………………………………………………………………………….13

Supportive Relationships during Internship……………………………………………….…14 Stipend/Housing ………………………………………………………………………………….15 Expenses………………………………………………………………………………………………17 Vacation Time & Other Compensation……..…………..……………………………..18

Special Circumstances During Internship……………………………..………………………20Conclusion of Internship………………………………………………………………………………23

Note: This Internship Handbook is not exhaustive. Throughout one’s internship, both Luther Seminary’s student policies and the congregation’s employment policies apply.

Handbook modified June 1,2017

1 | Page

What Is Internship?At Luther Seminary, Internship is a core integrative experiential learning component of the formation of Christian Public Leaders. It is a required component of the core curriculum for

All MDiv students (Both in the ELCA & from other denominational backgrounds) Students affiliating with Luther Seminary for their Lutheran year.

Internship provides leadership experience under the supervision of a pastor or non-profit ministry leader who serves as a contextual educator. Its dual aim is:

(a) to be a developmental process of vocational formation and (b) to assist with growth in competence in the various skills of ministry practice.

In Internship, students take on the role of a Christian public leader, engage in the full range of ministry and professional experiences, hone knowledge and skills in proclaiming God's promise in a variety of ways, form new communities, and equip existing communities to love and serve their neighbors.

ELCA International Horizon InternshipsThe Horizon International Internship program provides ELCA Master of Divinity students with an opportunity to have their ministry shaped by the witness of the world. It is an intensive and transformational opportunity, which aims to enrich the talents and skills of future rostered leaders for the ministry and mission of the ELCA. More information is located on the ELCA website.

ELCA Domestic Horizon Internships The Horizon Internship Program is an exciting collaborative venture of the Domestic Mission Unit, with synods and seminaries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. It is an intensive and transformational opportunity that aims at enriching the talents and skills of future rostered leaders for the ministry and mission of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The ministries participating in the Horizon program are normally urban or rural sites with priority given to ethnic specific and multicultural ministry sites. More information is located on the Contextual Learning website.

Markers of Student Readiness for Internship

The following are required to be completed prior to beginning your Internship:

Checkpoints required by your denomination (including endorsement for ELCA)

Boundaries Workshop (Available in January and June)

Internship Orientation Workshop (offered in January or June)

Minimum of 10 Credits of Coursework Completed 

2 | Page

The following are encouraged and recommended to be completed prior to beginning your internship:

Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)

Course - CG0525 Congregational Care and Formation 

Course - PR0510 Foundations of Biblical Preaching 

Course - WO0515 Public Worship: Leadership in Word and Sacrament, Prayer and Thanksgiving

Student Preparation for Internship Background Check

A background check must be on file with Luther Seminary before beginning your Internship.

Boundaries WorkshopsA completed Boundaries Workshop is required prior to the beginning of your Internship. Internship Supervisors are required to complete a Boundaries Workshop as well.

FE 0200 Internship OrientationLuther Seminary students going on Internship are required to attend one Internship Orientation during the year prior to Internship. The Internship Orientation is offered on campus or via Live Streaming. Viewing the Internship Orientation as a recording is not an option.

• FE 0200 is a non-credited course required for your degree. • No tuition is charged for FE 0200.• FE 0200 is a prerequisite for Internship.• Registration for FE 0200 is available during the J-Term Registration and/or Summer

Registration.

Defining Internship Frameworks

• Geographically Restricted: Interns that need to complete their Internship within a limited commute from home. Includes a Stipend.

• Geographically Open: Interns that are able to go on an Internship without geographic restrictions. Includes Stipend and Housing.

• Ecumenical Internships: 12-20 hours per week in a congregation or faith-based organization that includes a congregational component.

• Full Time ELCA Internship: 40 hours per week for 12 months.

• Part-Time/ Concurrent ELCA Internship: 20 Hours per week for 2 Years.

3 | Page

• Affiliated ELCA Students: Interns fulfilling their Lutheran year at Luther Seminary.

Internship: Timeline A and Information for a Geographically Open Fall Placement*

(For a Geographically Restricted and/or non-Fall start date, refer to Timeline B)

Internship Placement Timeline A(Remember to Confirm Specific Dates with the Contextual Learning Office)

July-October Students complete the Luther Seminary Application for Internship (available on the Contextual Learning website). All MDiv students (ELCA & Ecumenical), Distributed Learning Students, and Affiliated Students.

September-October Students interested in the International and/or Horizon Internship complete and submit applications. The applications are available on the Contextual Learning Website and are due: October 31 (International) and October 25, 2017 (Domestic).

October 31, 2017 Luther Seminary Student Application for Internship is due!

November All intern applicants have a preliminary interview with a Contextual Learning Team Member regarding Internship.

December Separate Horizon interviews take place.

January Internship Orientation (FE0200) (All students are required to take one day of FE0200).

February • Geographically Open Internship interviews are held with students and prospective supervisors.

• Geographically Open students and prospective supervisors complete Preference Forms.

• Contextual Learning Team works to place Geographically Restricted students.

March • Internship placements begin for Geographically Open students.• Contextual Learning Team works to place Geographically Restricted

Students.

April • Geographically Open Internship placements announced.• Contextual Learning Team works to place Geographically Restricted

students. (Ongoing through spring/summer until finished).

June • Internship Orientation (FE0200) (All students are required to take one day of FE0200).

• New Supervisor Orientation-- June 15-16, 2017 at Luther Seminary. (New Supervisors must attend one Orientation in June or August).

August • New Supervisor Orientation—August 17-18, 2017 at Luther Seminary. (New Supervisors must attend one Orientation in June or August).

4 | Page

*Internship: Timeline B and Information for a Geographically Restricted and/or non-Fall Placement

(does not apply to International or Domestic Horizon Internship)

Internship Placement Timeline(Remember to Confirm Specific Dates with the Contextual Learning Office)

Expected:October 31, 2017*

Students complete the Luther Seminary Application for Internship (available on the Contextual Learning website). All MDiv students (ELCA & Ecumenical), Distributed Learning Students, and Affiliated Students. Submission deadline: October 31, 2017.

*Non-Fall placement If a student enters the Internship process outside of the Fall 2017 process, the Intern application must be submitted prior to any official planning and processing by the Contextual Learning office. Submission deadline will likely be a date other than October 31st.

**Steps to follow in process

1) All intern applicants have a preliminary interview with a Contextual Learning Team Member regarding Internship

January or June 2) Internship Orientation (FE0200) (All students are required to take one day of FE0200).

February: Open Interview Process students/Geographically Restricted Students

Non-Open Interview Process students/Geographically Restricted Students

3A) If a Geographically Restricted student is Participating in the Open Interview Process:

• Open Internship interviews are held with students and prospective supervisors.

• Open interview students and prospective supervisors complete Preference Forms.

3B) For All students NOT participating in the Open Interview Process, including Geographically Restricted Interns: the Contextual Learning Team works to place students.a) This process includes the student participating in an interview

with the potential site. This will include the Supervising Pastor and possibly members of the congregation.

b) Timing to confirm the Placement Site and the Start Date will vary based on the discernment and availability of an appropriate context and supervising pastor. A “Good Fit” is top priority.

March • Contextual Learning Team works to place Geographically Restricted Students.

April • Geographically Open/Open Interview Process Internship placements announced.

• Contextual Learning Team works to place Geographically Restricted students. This process is ongoing until a “good fit” is located for the student intern. There is no definitive date for announcing placement.

5 | Page

Internship Placement Timeline(Remember to Confirm Specific Dates with the Contextual Learning Office)

June • Internship Orientation (FE0200) (All students are required to take one day of FE0200).

• New Supervisor Orientation-- June 15-16, 2017 at Luther Seminary. (New Supervisors must attend one Orientation in June or August).

August • New Supervisor Orientation—August 17-18, 2017 at Luther Seminary. (New Supervisors must attend one Orientation in June or August).

Goals and Outcomes of InternshipEach Internship is a New Internship. Each supervisor, Internship site, and student bring different strengths, experiences, and viewpoints to the Internship. Guiding our Internships are the following Goals and Outcomes set by the Luther Seminary curriculum.

Goals of Internship 1. Students will continue in the developmental process of Vocational Formation.

2. Students will demonstrate growth in competence in the Characteristics and Skills of Ministry Leaders.

Outcomes of Internship Throughout your Internship you will be asked to practice, demonstrate, reflect, receive feedback, and be evaluated on the following Characteristics and Skills for Ministry Leaders. Assessment of this growth will be facilitated through various conversations between the Internship Supervisor and the Intern, the Internship Committee and the Intern, and the Contextual Learning Team and the Intern. Assessment will also include formal evaluations conducted by the Intern, Supervisor, and Internship Committee Chair Person.

Personal Characteristics of Ministry Leaders Skills for Ministry Leaders

Goals Leading Worship

Preparedness Preaching

Key Relationships Teaching Adults

Congregations’ Experience Teaching Youth and Children

Receiving Feedback Evangelism

Work Habits Pastoral Leadership

Strengths Visionary Leadership

Areas of Growth Theological Understanding

Administration

Stewardship Leadership

6 | Page

Personal Characteristics of Ministry Leaders Skills for Ministry Leaders

Leader of Social Ministry

Timeline of Key SubmissionsOngoing feedback and evaluation enable the student interns to learn how others view their ministry and to identify their strengths and weaknesses. The evaluations are one snapshot of the feedback you will receive on Internship. Additionally, these evaluations will be used as the basis for your semester grade. All of the following assignments and evaluations should be completed online at the Contextual Learning website.

Due Form Submitted ByIntern Supervisor Internship

Committee

Within first 2 weeks of the internship

Confirmation of Internship Placement. Confirms contact information, supervisor and Internship committee chair person, and financial agreements. This form may be updated throughout the year in adjustment to changing circumstances.

X

Within first 4 weeks of the internship

Learning Goals. Feedback should be solicited from both the supervisor and the Internship committee in the development of this document. This form may be updated even after it has been submitted, to allow for changes in the learning goals.

X

Within first 3 months of the internship

3-month evaluation/reports. Evaluations are submitted electronically to Contextual Learning.

X X

Grade Reported 1st Semester Grade Reported

Prior to the Mid-Point Evaluation

Project Proposal. Feedback should be solicited from both the supervisor and the Internship committee in the development of this document. This form may be updated even after it has been submitted, to allow for changes in the project focus.

X

At Mid-Point of the Internship

Mid-point evaluations. It is the intern's responsibility to mail a hard copy of the evaluations, with signatures, to their candidacy committee or denominational leadership, if required. Evaluations and signatures are submitted electronically to Contextual Learning.

X X X

Grade Reported 2nd Semester Grade Reported

At the conclusion of the Internship

Final evaluations should be completed before the intern leaves the site. It is the intern's responsibility to mail a hard copy of the evaluations, with signatures, to their candidacy committee or denominational leadership, if required. Evaluations and signatures are submitted electronically to Contextual Learning.

X X X

Prior to the conclusion of the

Project Report. When the project is completed, the intern should complete this online form.

X

7 | Page

Internship

Internship Completion Reported

Internship Completion reported to the Registrar with Submission of Project Report and all Final Evaluation Submissions. See Final Evaluation recommendations p.11-12

Coursework during Internship

Many interns enroll in coursework during internship. If an Intern wishes to do so, they need to be mindful of the energy and commitment required to fully engage within an internship context, and also the scheduling and time required within the internship context. Recommendations to consider:

It is good to remember that Internship itself is considered coursework, and evaluation and grading of one’s internship do occur at semester marks. If an intern does enroll in additional coursework, it is recommended it be on a limited basis, especially the first semester, with 0-1 courses recommended.

It is requested that the intern consult with their Faculty Advisor regarding enrolling in any courses during internship, and that this conversation guide the intern’s choices.

The intern must consult with the Supervisor prior to enrolling in the course, to ensure that the Supervisor is aware and responsive to the intern’s course expectations.

If a course requires the intern to be absent from the context to attend any portion of the course expectations as outlined in the course syllabus, the student must consult with the Supervisor in advance, and address and respond to any conflict in schedules of the course and the context.

Regarding any absence from the context for coursework, the intern may use the context’s continuing education policy and practice for this absence. Or they may use the allotted internship vacation time.

If a continuing education option is not available and if the intern does not wish to use their vacation time, it is not an expectation that the context or supervisor make time for the Intern to attend Intensive Coursework.

8 | Page

Learning Goals

The purpose of the Learning Goals is to outline clear areas of learning for your Internship. Recall that the dual aim of Luther Seminary’s Internship program is:

(a) The developmental process of vocational formation and

(b) Growth in competence in the various skills of ministry practice.

Your Learning Goals should be developed in collaboration with your Supervisor and Internship Committee. This is an organic and developing document since Goals should be adapted to respond to the learning throughout your Internship.

Please keep the cultivation of vocation and skills in mind as you prepare your Learning Goals. Remember to think about how you will address these areas of Pastoral Leadership in your goals. (See Table of Personal Characteristics of Ministry Leaders / Skills for Ministry Leaders on p. 6 of this handbook for reference).

SMART Learning GoalsA SMART Learning Goal clearly describes what you want to learn.

Developing a SMART learning goal makes sure that your goal is focused and provides a clear idea of what you want to learn. A SMART goal makes it easier to plan relevant learning activities, measure your progress toward achieving the goal and know when you have met your goal.

What is a SMART Learning Goal?

1. Specific A specific goal is detailed, focused and clearly stated. Everyone reading the goal should know exactly what you want to learn.

2. Measureable A measureable goal is quantifiable, meaning you can see the results.

3. Attainable An attainable goal can be achieved based on your skill, resources and area of practice.

4. Relevant A relevant goal applies to your current role and is clearly linked to your key role responsibilities.

5. Time-limited A time-limited goal has specific timelines and a deadline. This will help motivate you to move toward your goal and to evaluate your

9 | Page

progress.

Examples of SMART Goals

Goal 1 Goal 2 Goal 3

Specific: What exactly will you accomplish?

Effective Email Communication with individuals in a timely manner.

During preaching, I want to focus on improving my presentation style so my tone and body language are not a distraction to the message.

Exploring and growing my leadership development through the use of the Strengths Based Leadership tools and resources to become a more self-aware leader.

Measurable: How will you know when you reach it?

I follow up with emails/ phone calls within 2 days of receiving them.

When my hands are not moving around the entire time.

I naturally engage and utilize my Strengths in leadership tasks and responsibilities.

Achievable(Resources)Is achieving the goal realistic with effort & commitment? Have, or will get, resources to achieve this goal?

Yes- at the beginning and end of every day I will set aside 20 minutes to look over my correspondences and write down who I need to respond too.

I will record myself once a month for 3 months and watch them to check on improvements. The first time I preach I will have my committee complete the sermon evaluation and then have them complete it 3 months later.

I will read through my Strengths once a month and list out different ways I am seeing them in my work.

RealisticWhy is this goal significant to your job?

My hope is that in my first call I will be placed in a rural site. I will not have an administrator to help me.

In order for individuals to understand and listen to the message of the sermon, my presentation skills cannot be in the way.

When I am utilizing my strengths, I am at my best self as a leader.

TimelineWhen will this goal be achieved.

Check in with supervisor weekly and in 3 months evaluate with supervisor and Internship Committee

Ongoing Check in with my supervisor every 3 months.

Learning Goals Evaluated

Learning Goals: Process

10 | Page

The intern makes any necessary changes to the Learning Goals draft and submits the document within the first four weeks of the Internship. These are living documents, and every intern should return to them to re-evaluate and re-frame as needed throughout the semester. Some goals will be reached early on in the Internship, some will take longer, and some will be reevaluated throughout and will continue to be a work in process.

Internship EvaluationsAll Intern, Supervisor, and Internship Committee Evaluations are located online on the Contextual Learning Webpage on the Luther Seminary Website.

Three Month Evaluations: All Interns and their Supervisors, both full time and part time, are required to submit evaluations at the 3 month mark. These are submitted online.

Mid-Point and Final Evaluations: All Interns (both full-time and part-time), their Supervising Pastors, and Internship Committee, submit an evaluation at the Mid-Point mark, and a Final Evaluation at the conclusion of the Internship.

The reflection and feedback comments submitted in the 3 Month, Mid-Point and Final Evaluations assist the intern, the supervisor, the internship committee, the synod or other denominational leadership, and the seminary with a method to evaluate and reflect on the work of the intern. These evaluations assist in monitoring the progress of the intern in mastering the theological, professional, and personal skills which are necessary pastoral ministry. All evaluation forms are available on the Contextual Learning Webpage on the Luther Seminary Website.

The Three Month and Mid-Point Evaluations are useful for providing oversight and growth for the internship year. Feedback and encouragement can be given and problems addressed when these forms provide honest and compassionate evaluation. This report and evaluation also aim to foster discussion between Intern, Supervisor, and Internship committee about issues which promote a candidate's readiness for ministry.

The Final evaluation has special importance insofar as it is used by the seminary in measuring the successful completion of the internship year. Additionally, the Final Evaluation may be used by your denominational body for future process and rostered placement.

Best Practice for Evaluation Reflections:

It is expected that Interns, Supervisors, and Internship Committees would: 1) draft their evaluation comments, 2) share these with the respective party for conversation, learning and feedback, and 3) submit the evaluation after it has been shared and discussed.

It is Contextual Learnings expectation that an evaluation be submitted after it has been shared with the respective internship partners. There should be no surprises when reviewed in the online submission.

11 | Page

All submitted evaluations are reviewed by your internship point person from Luther Seminary Contextual Learning, as well as your Luther Seminary faculty advisor.

The Intern is responsible for sending signed copies to her or his denominational leadership, if required.*The ELCA requires interns to send copies of the Mid-Point and Final Evaluations to their synod Candidacy Committee.

The seminary faculty makes the final determination as to whether or not the completed internship meets the requirements of the seminary and the church.

Writing and Submitting Evaluations

All Evaluation Forms will be submitted via the online page completed independently for each Intern, Supervisor, and Internship Committee. Please refer to the following links for guidance on how to complete and submit these evaluations:

For Students For Supervisors For Internship Committees

It is the responsibility of the Internship Committee chairperson to submit the online Mid-Point and Final Evaluation form on behalf of the full committee. The entire committee is expected to participate in the evaluation process by providing the chairperson their feedback and reflections on the evaluation questions.

Interns will be responsible for ensuring that signatures are properly completed and copies are given to the Intern’s candidacy committee or denominational leadership.

A Note about the Confidentiality of Internship Reports

The evaluative reports are submitted to the Contextual Learning Office. Three Month, Mid-Point and Final Evaluations are reviewed by the Contextual Learning Office, the intern’s Faculty Advisor, Faculty committee, and the intern’s candidacy committee or denominational leadership. The evaluations are confidential and not to be shared without the permission of the Intern* or respective authors. *ELCA: The exceptions to the above are the statements written by the intern, supervisor and lay committee that appear on the form that is sent to the bishops of the ELCA as part of the assignment and first call process.

Final Evaluation Recommendations

Interns will receive narrative comments and feedback on Final Evaluations. In addition, at the conclusion of the Final Evaluation, the Intern, Supervisor, and Internship Committee will submit one of the following Recommendations for the Intern:

Unconditional Recommendation Conditional Recommendation

12 | Page

Denied

For Interns who receive a Conditional Recommendation or Denied on their Final Evaluation see information on Post-Internship Panel Discussions on p. 24.

Internship ProjectYour Internship Project is a specific and planned opportunity to experience one’s Christian Public Leadership while on internship.

What is the project?

As part of the Internship experience, students will complete a major project that deepens learning of particular leadership skills, while engaging a curiosity and/or passion of the intern while in collaboration with their context. The project provides an opportunity for a focused, hands on experience. The intern will grow and deepen in competency and leadership, engaging the various skills and interests of self and others in the context.

It is also important that this project be new to both the intern and the life of the context. Developing the project for the first time will give the intern an opportunity to exercise initiative and to take responsibility for a ministry project that has not been developed at that context previously.

Choosing an Internship Project

The Internship Project invites the intern to be a curious leader, pairing past coursework, life experiences, wonderings about pastoral identity, leadership, and life in a context into a rich opportunity for “safe risk-taking” along with the support and guidance of the Supervisor and Internship Committee.

Project: Process, Proposal, and Timeline

Process: The project may be a stand-alone experience or an extension of one or more Learning Goals.

Listening in on the life and questions of your context and the community it is situated in may provide additional curiosity and ministry possibility for your project. What do you see or hear that pairs with your own interest and wondering? What is God up to that you might tend to and/or deepen? Or are there new seeds to be planted?

Project Proposal: The intern will write a specific project proposal and request the feedback of both the supervisor and internship committee, regarding appropriateness for the development of the intern and the context. Use the online form to compose a first draft. After receiving feedback from the supervisor and internship committee, return to this form to make changes and submit the online proposal to Contextual Learning. Students may return to this project proposal throughout the internship year to refine it, accommodating changing circumstances as they occur.

13 | Page

Timeline: Regarding timing, the project may occur at any time during the internship, but at minimum, a project proposal should be submitted by the Mid-Point of the internship with the final Project Report submitted prior to the conclusion of the internship.Prior to submitting the final Project Report, the intern should include the Supervisor and Internship Committee into reflective evaluation of the project, what was learned, how the intern grew in leadership, knowledge and skills, and what impact was experienced by others because of this project.

Submission: The final Project Report should be submitted electronically by the Intern through the Contextual Learning Webpage.

Project Completion: Opportunities to share your Project experience will be a part of post-internship events and tools through the Contextual Learning office. Examples of this include the post-internship Reflection event, and the Contextual Learning e-news communication. Sharing your project story with others, both the “Whoops” and “Wows”, bring contextual learning to life.

Supportive Relationships during InternshipSupervising Pastor

This primary, supportive relationship on a daily basis will accompany, guide, listen, challenge and offer feedback during the Internship experience. The supervisor is a resource as the Intern develops learning goals, projects, and ongoing reflected learnings.

Off-site Supervisor: Some Internship sites will require an off-site supervisor. Best practices for off-site supervision will require intentional and regularly scheduled communication. Contact the Contextual Learning Office for recommendations on developing best practices for off-site supervision.

Internship Committee

The Internship Committee is a supportive group of five to eight people from the internship context, who have agreed to support, encourage, affirm, and challenge the intern through both formal and informal experiences, listening, and feedback.

Formal experiences include: Public Welcoming/Worship Service into the context. Monthly meetings for full-time, or every other month meetings for part-time

internship, for support and feedback. Reflection on Learning Goals; Mid-Point and Final Evaluations; Project Proposal and

Report. Confidential support within contextual learning community.

Informal experiences include but not limited to: Introductions to people in the context and community. If intern is moving into the community, assist with moving in, and other related tasks.

14 | Page

Hospitality such as dinners, coffee together, outings, and other as appropriate to community context.

Additional resources to support the Internship Committee in their work can be located on the Luther Seminary Contextual Learning Webpage on Luther Seminary’s Website.

Cluster EventsTwice each year in the fall and spring, all Internship supervisors and interns around the country are hosted by the nearest ELCA seminary for a Cluster retreat or meeting. At these cluster events, supervisors and interns gather for worship, learning, reflection, fellowship, and an opportunity to meet and network with ministry colleagues also engaged in the Internship experience. These opportunities provide support for interns and supervising pastors to grow in their unique leadership roles, while sharing together the journey of internship. Schedules will be made available in the Fall and Spring.

Interns and Supervisors attend the Cluster Event in the Region where the Internship Context is located.

Luther Seminary facilitates Regions 1 and 3 Lutheran School of Theology- Chicago facilitates Region 5 and portions of Region 4 United Lutheran Seminary (Philadelphia/ Gettysburg) facilitates Regions 7 and 8 Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary facilitates Region 9 Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary facilitates Region 2 Trinity Lutheran Seminary facilitates Region 6 Wartburg Theological Seminary facilitates portions of Region 4 and Iowa Cluster

Luther Seminary Contextual Learning Point Person

Luther Seminary and the Contextual Learning office believe and are committed to the relational aspects of ministry, including our relationship with all of our student interns.

One means of fulfilling the commitment to a student intern while in an internship context is the specific connection to a Contextual Learning team member, designated as the intern’s Point Person. The point person will accompany the intern intentionally with a Fall and Spring Check in phone call or meeting on the Luther campus. Interns will receive an email to schedule the check in.

Additionally, the point person will also schedule a fall and spring check in call with the intern’s supervising pastor, and is also available as a resource to the Internship Committee, as needed.

While any Contextual Learning team member will be happy to respond to any questions or concerns, the point person will be most fully aware of the intern’s internship journey.

Placement Information regarding your Internship Site

Stipend

15 | Page

The stipend is $1,600 per month for a one-year/full-time internship and $800 per month for a two-year/half-time (concurrent) internship. As the intern is considered an employee of the congregation, their stipend is taxable. Congregations are required to pay the employer's portion of FICA. View all Financial Guidelines on the Contextual Learning webpage.

Housing and Utilities*

*For geographically restricted internship sites, the following housing or a housing allowance requirements are waived. Contact the Office of Contextual Learning if you have questions about this provision.

Geographically Open Internship Site:Student interns who are available to move to and live in a community away from their current home, and serve a congregational context in this community are participating in a Geographically Open Internship. At this site, the congregation will provide adequate furnished housing and utilities (including Internet) or an allowance to provide for both housing and utilities. Separate, private housing is expected. The intern is not to be housed together with a parishioner.

If housing is not secured in advance by the congregation, the congregation will assist the intern in locating housing and will pay a monthly housing and utility allowance directly to the intern.

If housing has been secured but is unfurnished or under-furnished, moving expenses between the internship site and the seminary will be provided by the congregation.Please note: This additional moving expense is not intended to be covered by the travel pool. While mileage support is paid to the intern for travel to and from the internship site, it will not cover all moving costs.

Alternative housing arrangements must be negotiated with the Office of Contextual Learning.

Geographically Restricted Internship Site:

Student interns who require living in their current community, but are experiencing an internship context other than where they may be currently serving, worshipping, working or volunteering, are participating in a Geographically Restricted Internship. The Geographically Restricted sites are arranged by the Contextual Learning office and area denominational leadership offices, in coordination with the commuting capacity of the student intern, the fullness of learning desired for an internship, and the ministry patterns and schedule of the contextual learning site.

Geographically Restricted Student interns receive a Stipend, but do not receive housing.

Pets

Pets can be very important to an intern’s mental and emotional health. Therefore, Contextual Learning does not prohibit pets on internship. However, internship housing may

16 | Page

prohibit pets, due to issues with allergies, damage, etc…. If you do not wish to make other arrangements for your pet during your internship year, please anticipate that you may be responsible for additional housing costs. It is not expected that a congregation or supervisor will be able to make space for your pet. (If your pet a licensed therapy or guide animal, please contact Contextual Learning for specifics.)

Social Media

The dual aim of Luther Seminary’s internship program is (a) a developmental process of vocational formation and (b) growth in competence in the various skills of ministry practice.

When learning to integrate vocation and identity, the intern should strive to unite their professional calling to public ministry with their personal identity as an individual. This kind of holistic, integrative attitude recognizes that a Christian public leader’s formal professional remarks should harmonize with their informal social media comments. As the intern pastor, what you say in the pulpit should likewise be supported by what you share on Snapchat.

By learning to cultivate competence in ministry practice, our hope is that the intern will hone their skills in listening, empathy, and pastoral care. Key examples include learning to express concerns respectfully, provide feedback constructively, respect confidentiality, and appreciate privacy. In both face-to-face and online communication, it is important to ask yourself if you are practicing these skills. Would you be uncomfortable if your Facebook post were read aloud directly to your supervisor, committee members, or parishioners? If so, your post was probably not exemplifying positive pastoral skill development.

Expenses

Car/Mileage Expenses

Business-related travel expenses are to be reimbursed to the intern at the IRS standard mileage rate or as a monthly car allowance.

Work Expenses

The congregation will reimburse the intern for approved expenses incurred in his or her work.

FICA

For internships beginning Fall 2017, $1,467 (based on stipend only).

Travel Pool

• Travel reimbursement is based on the number of miles between the home seminary and the site, and the number of dependents accompanying the student. Interns

17 | Page

receive checks at the beginning and end of the internship. Minimum reimbursement has been set at $150.

• If a married couple serves internship together, each spouse is eligible to receive a mileage allowance unless only one travel pool fee has been paid by the internship congregations or institutions. When both are interns, neither can be claimed as a dependent. Dependent children are reimbursed under only one intern's travel pay.

• Congregational payment for the travel pool is set by the Vocation & Education unit of the ELCA at $500.

• Students not returning to Luther Seminary may request return reimbursement unless they receive a call to a congregation which pays for all moving expenses. The return mileage is based on the distance between the site and final destination or the site and the seminary, whichever is less.

• If the situation at a site results in a student being reassigned during the summer, additional mileage will be paid to cover travel to the new site if the distance is greater than the mileage driven to the original site.

Extra time is allowed for students interning in excess of 500 miles from the seminary for return travel. Thus, for example, interns in Florida should be allowed three days, in addition to their vacation time, to travel back to Luther Seminary. Contact Contextual Learning with any questions.

Internship Administration

All internship sites are responsible for the $1,000 administration fee, set by the Vocation & Education unit of the ELCA, and will be billed, along with the travel pool fee near the beginning of the internship year. Two-year internship sites will be billed $500 at the beginning of each internship year.

Moving Expenses

• If a congregation provides unfurnished housing, the student is entitled to some assistance in moving furniture and personal possessions. Normally this means the congregation will pay for the rental of a trailer or a truck. The student is responsible for negotiating this agreement with the congregation.

• If the congregation has provided furnished housing, the congregation bears no additional responsibility to assist with moving costs for furniture or other personal items.

• Any agreement regarding reimbursement of moving expense to or from the site must be in writing with a copy provided to Contextual Learning. All negotiations should be completed before the student leaves for the site.

Vacation Time and Other Compensation

Vacation Time

18 | Page

Full-time and Part-time interns will receive one day off per week and two weeks of paid vacation (including two weekends) per year. For a nine-month internship, the intern will receive one day off per week and 10 days of paid vacation (including one weekend).

Workman’s Compensation

Workman's Compensation benefits are State regulated. The congregation is encouraged to inquire about any obligations surrounding coverage for the intern.

FMLA

The Family and Medical Leave Act is federally regulated. Currently the regulation states that an employee is eligible if the employer employs 50 or more employees and the employee must have worked at least 12 months in the past year for the employer. This would mean most interns are not covered under the Family and Medical Leave Act. An extended illness or leave of the intern can become problematic for an experience of such relatively short duration as an internship. In such situations a careful balance must be maintained assuring fairness to the student as well as to the parish. When questions arise with respect to such situations, the following guidelines can apply.

Sick and Parental Leave

Congregations having sick leave policies for its paid staff should seek to apply that same policy to the intern. In the absence of an operative sick leave policy, the following is offered to the intern and the congregation as counsel and advice.

• Definition: For the purposes of this policy, "sick leave" may be granted for any intern absent from duty because of accident or illness, including any illness resulting from pregnancy or childbirth.

• Short term illness - up to two weeks - shall not affect the stipend or housing arrangement.

• Long term illness or disability - more than two weeks - may necessitate adjustments as negotiated by Contextual Learning, the intern, and the congregation. A long term illness extending beyond a month may necessitate a review of the internship by Contextual Learning.

• An extended sick leave may interfere with the intern's ability to meet the required time of the internship. There is some flexibility allowing for negotiation for an absence of a maximum of three months. Example: an intern may surrender their vacation time or negotiate a reduction of stipend or even waiver of stipend if appropriate. On occasion, interns are able to fulfill a portion of their pastoral duties by working part-time, permitting them to achieve some of their internship educational goals. The internship requirement should be fulfilled with a balance of integrity and compassion for one who is ill.

19 | Page

• Parental Leave Policy: Standard policy following the arrival of the child (birth or adoption) while on full-time internship is up to six consecutive weeks of leave for the intern, divided as follows:

•  2 weeks paid leave •  2 weeks standard paid vacation time •  2 weeks unpaid leave •  Housing support continues during this time.

• Note that parental leave includes the paid vacation time required as standard for all internships. Understanding the limited duration of pastoral internships, these are to be considered reasonable, if basic, amounts. Congregations may choose to accommodate additional parental leave, in consultation and agreement with the intern, Luther Seminary, and the intern's Candidacy Committee.

• Note: When pregnancy or an adoption occurs prior to the start of internship, the internship plan will be reevaluated by all parties. Intern, site, seminary, and candidacy committee will together determine the suitability and timing of the internship.

Health Insurance

Health Insurance is not provided by Luther Seminary or your Internship Site as part of your Internship. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have your own Health Insurance.

Special Circumstances during Internship

Pastoral Acts

Interns are restricted in some pastoral functions either because of church policy or state law.

Holy Communion

Interns are not expected to preside over Holy Communion. *For ELCA interns, consultation and permission of the Intern’s Bishop,

Congregation’s Bishop, and Church Council of the Congregation is necessary if exceptions to the general expectation are desired for the good of the worshiping community in which you serve.

For ecumenical interns, consultation with your denominational leadership regarding an intern’s role in presiding over Holy Communion is requested, and a commitment to follow the leadership’s decision is expected.

20 | Page

Baptism

In emergencies an intern may perform a baptism as may any lay person. However, any non-emergency situation is governed by the policies of the respective denominational body.

ELCA interns: The ELCA requires an ordained person to preside at baptism. Ecumenical interns: please consult with your denominational leadership.

Wedding

In many states an intern may not legally officiate at a wedding service. Consultation with your supervising pastor and your denomination’s leadership is requested, regarding an intern’s capacity to officiate at a wedding.

Funeral

Neither church policy nor state law insists that funerals be conducted by an ordained person. Therefore, interns are free to conduct funerals with the consent and guidance of the supervising pastor.

Supervising Pastor VacancyIf a Supervising Pastor vacates their pastoral role in the internship context an automatic review of the assignment occurs. If the vacancy occurs before the internship begins, the intern will often be re-assigned. If the vacancy develops after the internship begins, every effort will be made to continue the internship by seeking to find alternate forms of supervision either with the assistance of an interim pastor, associate pastor, neighboring pastor, or, on rare occasions, utilizing supervisory expertise by lay people within the congregation.

When Internships Become Problematic

Reminder: Throughout one’s internship, both Luther Seminary’s student policies and the congregation’s employment policies apply.

Occasionally internships experience more difficulty than expected. When an internship begins to struggle, there are often warning signs. Examples are:

• One participant, supervisor or intern, is working far harder at the relationship than the other.

• One participant is feeling forced to assume some behavior that seems inappropriate (for instance, when a student is expected to be the pastor's best friend or expected to cover for the pastor, or vice versa).

• Communication is poor and people operate on the basis of assumptions. Regular meetings and sessions are not held.

• Real encounter is avoided and negative feelings are not expressed. Behaviors include keeping the other at a distance.

• No words of appreciation, thankfulness or encouragement are spoken.

21 | Page

• One participant alone is in charge of the agenda or the relationship. A dependent relationship develops.

• One participant feels controlled. Trust is not evident.• One participant feels manipulated. Secrets are kept.• One participant assumes responsibility for what is clearly in another person's job

description and gives unsolicited advice.• One participant delegates what is his or her duty to another is to avoid responsibility

or work.• One participant feels that boundaries have been violated (pursuant to Luther

Seminary Boundary Workshop learning, Luther Seminary student policy, and/or congregational workplace and/or sexual harassment or employment policy).

If you find yourself in an Internship where several of the Problematic Characteristics of Internship are present, please contact the Office of Contextual Learning.

On occasion, even staying attentive to these issues, notifying Contextual Learning, and working to address problem areas will not always lead to a satisfactory resolution. If this occurs, it may be necessary to end an internship before its scheduled end date.

Any decision to end an internship early is the responsibility of the Contextual Learning staff following consultation with those involved including the intern, supervising pastor, and possibly the Internship Committee. Additional consultation may include any of the following:

Intern’s Faculty Advisor ELCA Intern: Candidacy Committee or synod staff Ecumenical Intern: denominational leadership Others, as discerned by Contextual Learning staff and Intern

Internships can end early for a variety of reasons. Whatever the reason, there is a need for the supervisor, congregation, and intern to process what has happened. The Contextual Learning staff will provide an opportunity for reflections and review. Possible next steps include:

• Intern, supervisor and internship committee may be asked to provide a report within one month of the conclusion of the internship detailing their perspective on the internship and the reasons for its early termination.

• With respect to the student whose internship ended early, experience indicates the necessity of time to review what happened, and consider opportunities for the future. Accordingly, it is not advisable to seek an immediate re-assignment.

• Resuming seminary course work may be an option for some students, but in most instances a student is better served by stepping back from the process entirely for at least one month, or more.

• An automatic Leave of Absence (LOA) is granted and strongly recommended for the remainder of the semester in which the termination takes place. If more time is needed, a longer LOA may be requested from the Dean of Students Office.

• If the termination of an Internship happens within the first 3 weeks of the Internship, a determination will be made by the Director of Contextual Learning and the Academic Dean.

22 | Page

Any decision regarding an internship re-assignment will involve consultation with the student. An early ending may mean an unanticipated extension of the student's academic program.

In situations where the internship was not completed, the necessity of extending the academic program be necessary. The primary goal of Internship is to learn and grow while in a context. Reducing the time in a context may hinder the fullness of the experience if time is shortened and challenges are not attended to.

A number of resources may be expected or arranged to help students before, during, or after Internship. Resources and support opportunities include:

Leaderwise (formerly North Central Ministry Development Center) St. Kate’s Spiritual Direction Services Clergy Coaching Other similar agency Luther Seminary Office of Contextual Learning guidance

Other resources may include: The Contextual Learning office advocating for some form of financial support for the

above services. Continuation of Internship stipend for one month or some travel expenses. Transportation and relocation expenses will be arranged in conversation with

Contextual Learning.

Conclusion of Internship

Post Internship Reflection Event

Reflecting on the Internship Experience at it’s conclusion is an important step in the Internship experience. The Contextual Learning staff hosts an opportunity in the Fall of each year, typically in early September, to gather with other interns from around the country who have recently completed their internship, and listen in on internship stories, both the “wow” and the “whoops” stories you encountered, to reflect and learn with and from each other.

The Post Internship Reflection event is offered on the Luther Campus for those available to gather on campus, and Live-streamed so those at a distance may join too. Watch for an email in the summer with a date and time.

Luther Seminary Faculty and staff frequently join the event, listen and learn from the intern stories, and celebrate with the interns the momentous conclusion of the Internship journey.

Internship Grades

Each semester of Internship is assigned a grade, based on the corresponding For the first semester, the Three Month Evaluations from the Intern and the

Supervising Pastor must exhibit growth and a willingness to learn through the evaluation comments.

23 | Page

For the second semester, the Final Evaluations from the Intern, Supervising Pastor, and Internship Committee must exhibit competency in the areas of Personal Characteristics of a Ministry Leader and Skills for Ministry Leaders.

Grades submitted are Pass or Fail.

Final Evaluations

Final Evaluations are utilized for next steps in the student’s process. Final Evaluations include:

A Final paragraph, which is used by the Seminary Faculty, the ELCA Candidacy Committee, and Ecumenical denominational leadership to discern next steps for a student.

One of three possible Recommendations:o Unconditional Recommendation : the student moves forward in their process

with no additional requirements.o Conditional Recommendation : the student will experience a “pause” in their

process. The Contextual Learning staff will organize and facilitate a Panel Review*, in conjunction with other student partners such as faculty advisor, ELCA Candidacy synod representation, or other denominational leadership. These student partners will gather with the student to reflect together on the evaluation comments, and consider what additional support and work is needed by the student to address and grow in the areas described in the evaluations.

o Denied : The student’s journey into ordained leadership is stopped, and in conjunction with the Contextual Learning staff, faculty advisor, ELCA Candidacy Committee or respective denominational leadership, an assessment of the future pathway will be discerned.

*Panel Review

If the supervising pastor or internship committee identifies multiple issues throughout the internship such as: serious difficulties in ministry, as a pastoral leader or theologian, and/or the student remains unwilling to learn and not manifesting themselves as a Pastoral Leader and Theologian, this behavior may constitute receiving a Conditional Recommendation or Denied on the Final Evaluation. If the student receives a Conditional or Denied on one or more of the Final Evaluations (Intern, Supervisor, or Internship Committee) a Panel Committee will be convened by the Contextual Learning Office to review and reflect upon the Internship. The Panel Review’s purpose is to make recommendations for addressing the identified issues. Additional supervised involvement in ministry may be necessary in order to meet expectations that will qualify a student for entering the approval process.

Graduation

If an Internship is “culminating”, meaning all required academic credit has been achieved with the conclusion of the Internship, and the internship concludes in the summer months,

24 | Page

the student may walk at the May Luther Seminary Commencement ceremony, but a grade is not posted nor the diploma sent, until the three Final Internship Evaluations are submitted with Unconditional Recommendation.

ELCA students:

Candidacy process

For candidacy checklists, information about ordained ministry and rostered leadership, information about entrance, endorsement, or approval, and candidacy advice and encouragement, please visit Luther Seminary’s Candidacy website at http://www.luthersem.edu/candidacy/. Or contact Kathryn Ostlie at kostlie001@luthersem.edu or by phone at 651-641-3492.

ELCA Approval

Internship is expected to be completed, including the final internship evaluations received by the Contextual Learning Office, before ELCA seniors or affiliated candidates are eligible for Luther Seminary’s faculty to vote on their approval recommendation for ordination. Following faculty action, synodical candidacy committees make the final decision on all questions of approval. 

Recommendation for Approval prior to the Completion of Internship

At times, it is necessary and important to consider action by the Luther Seminary faculty prior to the completion of internship, in order to facilitate synod approval and ELCA assignment in a timely manner for first call. Interns will receive detailed instructions regarding steps to enter the approval process between 3-6 months after internship begins. The three possible scenarios for approval prior to the completion of internship are: 1)    In the case of concurrent/part-time internships, the above expectation is modified in the following way.  When the first twelve months of the concurrent/part-time internship have been completed, a student may be considered by the faculty in the succeeding semester (the 1st semester of the 2nd year of internship). Prior to a vote in a faculty meeting, summary statements from the final internship evaluations must be submitted by the supervising pastor, the lay internship committee, and the intern. If faculty recommendation for approval is given, it will be contingent upon satisfactory completion of the internship.   2)   Where any of the following circumstances apply, students may request approval prior to the completion of internship in writing to the Contextual Learning office: 

a)    a culminating internship,          b)    affiliated and have completed their “Lutheran year” prior to internship, or        

25 | Page

c)    seniors needing to complete only one semester and a January term after internship.

 3)    For a 2-year full-time “residency” internship, the first twelve months will meet the seminary and church requirement for internship. A resident intern may be considered by the faculty upon completion of the first twelve months of the residency and the submission of final internship evaluations from the supervisor, the lay internship committee and the resident intern. Final approval can be given to the student while the residency internship continues. Faculty consideration for those students whose request for approval recommendation prior to the start of internship is granted will not occur until all three summary statements from the final evaluations have been submitted by the supervising pastor, the internship committee, and the intern; at least eight months of the internship have been completed; and all mid-point evaluations have been submitted and reviewed. If the request is granted, please note that: the faculty recommendation for approval will be contingent upon the satisfactory completion of the internship.

26 | Page

i