Interning at your local church can be exciting, especially if its yours as is the case with TRWC, but also daunting, experimental sometimes, concrete others, and completely worth it

4 Things You Need to Know About Interning at ChurchInterning at your local church can be excitingespecially if its your own as is the case with Twin Rivers Worship Center and mebut also daunting, sometimes experimental, yet completely worth it. Although you may not know everything thats going to happen, here are a few things you should prepare for that will come up during your church internship.1. Be prepared to wear a lot of hats. A church, like any other organization, is a production up front as well as behind-the-scenes. And all that on-stage Sunday service work is multiplied in the day-to-day office life. Pastors, business workers, counselors, and volunteers are all juggling their ministry on top of lending a helping hand to other areas, so be ready to do the same.2. Be prepared to adapt (see number 1). I had the awesome honor of having my internship coordinator personally consult me on what Id like to achieve and experience during my time at Twin Rivers. She was upfront and gave me a range of projects that were long-term and short-term, research-heavy and writing-heavy, tedious and thoughtful. BUT, I might have a plan for the day and what I needed to get done when three other things came up that suddenly made those plans obsolete. AND, I might have had to try things Ive never heard of before. It comes with the territory, so embrace it!

3. Be prepared to serve (in more ways than one). Churches often rely on the reputation of their weekend services, and there are tons of volunteers who make those a success. In your internship, you will become a volunteer, or you will miss a large part of the identity of the church. Whether thats early Sunday mornings or late Wednesday evenings, you will be called upon to be a good steward and representative of the church. Also, your on-site coordinator is your first responsibility, not your only one. You will be called upon by the rest of the staff as the church intern (refer to number 2). 4. Be prepared to change lives (especially your own). From writing a poem to commemorate the life of a lovely woman to designing a Life Group Leaders Manual that will engage the largest ministry at church to even finding info for a sermon seriesyou will be a part of things much bigger than yourself. Everything, big and small, will make the difference when you see the reward of your labor. Maintain a good attitude and keep your eyes openyoull learn as much from watching amazing people work as you will from following their lead. Keywords: Church Internship, Internship, Twin Rivers Worship Center, TRWC, Twin Rivers, St. Louis, Four Things, Need to Know, Churches, VolunteerWorking hard on Christmas cards

Oh, hey! Typical look of my office