Ministerial Internship Program
The Ministerial Internship Program was implemented throughout the United States in 1978. In 1982, the MIP was mandated by the General Assembly as a requirement for advancement from exhorter rank to the status of ordained minister.
Currently, the MIP has been expanded to eighty-one countries and translated into eighteen languages. MIP academic credit is recognized by Church of God Bible colleges and universities around the world. The underlying philosophy of the MIP has always been to provide ministerial preparation by practical training on the local-church level, combined with academic self-study and monthly training seminars, focusing on vital topics for spiritual leadership and ministerial effectiveness.
The purposes for MIP are to . . .
- Give the minister and spouse practical training and experience at the local-church level under th supervision of a pastor.
- Develop the scriptural discipline of submission (Romans 13:1 and Hebrews 13:17)
- Provide commitment between the Church of God and the minister
- Develop in ministers the proper attitudes toward the church, the ministry, fellow ministers, and the people whom they serve
- Assist new ministers in discovering their own talents and styles for evangelistic outreach, pastoral reponsibilities, other areas of ministry, and for determining further training needs.
The MIP is comprised of three parts: (1) four CIMS courses on the Bible, doctrine, and leadership; (2) a supervised practicum with a pastor; and (3) eight monthly seminars. The CIMS courses are completed through individual study by using the Internet study venue or the DVD study venue. MIP candidates are assigned to supervising pastors who will provide knowledge about ministry and give opportunity to develop skills for ministry during a supervised practicum. The assignments of MIP candidates to supervising pastors are made on the basis of personal training needs, geographical factors, and availability. The eight monthly seminars cover a range of materials that address ministry topics and issues. The seminars complement and add to the experience of the supervised practicum.
During the MIP, the candidates and spouses follow a daily schedule of spiritual, academic, and physical assignments. These involve the completion of the four CIMS courses, the supervised practicum, the eight seminars, and evaluations by the supervising pastor, as well as interviews at the monthly seminars.
At the conclusion of MIP, the candidates are commissioned and awarded a certificate of completion from the Ministerial Development/School of Ministry. All students who successfully complete MIP will also receive 16 CIMS credits from the Church of God School of Ministry.
To apply for MIP, contact the denominational offices in your state or region. Ministers outside the United States should contact their national offices.
SPECIALIZATIONS IN THE MINISTERIAL INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
In an effort to broaden the ministerial training experience, specializations in ministries will be offered in the MIP. The specializations are (1) assistant pastor ministry, (2) chaplaincy, (3) children’s ministry, (4) Christian education ministry, (5) church planting, and (6) youth ministry. If applicants want to specialize in one of these ministries, they should contact the state MIP coordinator in their states.
