Internship

Qualifications

RBC prefers the following:

• Education: Minimum of an undergraduate degree, preferably a seminary degree.
• Theology: General agreement with RBC’s statement of faith.
• Ministry: Individuals who feel called of God to serve (as a pastor, church planter, etc.) in New England. RBC is glad to consider all candidates: from young men just out of college to senior pastors who have a desire to transition to ministry in New England.
• Spiritual: Humble heart for service with a willingness to learn and grow. Interns will find both encouragement and constructive feedback.

Logistical details

• A 12 month, full-time internship program
• Stipend to cover living and housing expenses (approx. $1500/month for housing and $2000/month for living expenses)
• Reimbursements for books and various ministry expenses
• Health insurance and transportation will be the responsibility of the intern

Key Objectives

• Immersion into New England church culture and community
• Practical, hands-on ministry experience in the day to day role of the pastorate
• Character development with a special emphasis on the personal life of the pastor, including the biblical qualifications for an elder (Titus 1:5-9, 1 Tim. 3)
• Learning the inner workings of an average-sized church in New England (<200)
• Preaching and teaching the gospel in a New England culture
• Leading small groups and building relationships
• Connecting the gospel to all of life and ministry
• Develop an understanding of the mission of the church
• Pursue a ministry position (e.g. pastorate, church planter, etc.) during the final months of the program

Values

• Commitment to the Gospel: The gospel is the good news of Jesus Christ as evidenced by the incarnation, cross, and resurrection. Since the gospel is of primary importance, Christians are healthy to the extent that we make clear connections between the gospel and everyday life and ministry (1 Cor. 15:1-4).
• Commitment to the Local Church: Ministry in the local church is rarely glamorous, and sometimes difficult, yet the local church remains the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Tim. 3:15).
• Commitment to Multiplication: Healthy churches reproduce healthy churches and Christian leaders. In order to accomplish this, the church must intentionally train leaders (2 Tim. 2:2).

Ministry Requirements

The pastorate requires a self-motivated approach to life and ministry. As such, an intern should be flexible, faithful, and diligent to pursue people and circumstances that God puts in his way to minister the grace of the gospel. On a month to month basis, the senior pastor will create a full-time schedule for the intern that may include the following elements.

Mentoring from the Senior Pastor and RBC

• Meet with the senior pastor at least once per week, attend City Labs (Tim Keller of Reedemer) in NYC, and assist in worship services, weddings, and funerals.
• Attend staff meetings, public services, and ministry events with the intention of experiencing all aspects of the ministry. Don’t be afraid to ask if you can participate!
• Develop a ministerial resume and maintain a weekly record of the hours with a journal of observations and areas of growth.

Shepherding, Serving, and Outreach

• Collaborate on various ministry projects with the senior pastor and/or other church leaders, including building a small group, exercising oversight in at least two areas of service (Sunday School, Shepherd Group, Mission Trip, etc.), and participating in RBC’s mercy ministries.

Preaching

• Develop a working knowledge of Bryan Chapell’s preaching paradigm in Christ-centered Preaching: Redeeming the Expository Sermon. The intern will have the opportunity to preach a minimum of 9 times at RBC during the 12-month program and prepare a series of messages from a book in the New Testament.

Personal Growth

• Grow in understanding the personal life of the pastor through visiting and interviewing various pastors in New England while also compiling information regarding the state of Christianity in the region.

Reading and Research Requirements

During the internship, the intern will be asked to read approximately twenty-five books and provide a written summary for each. Although the senior pastor will adjust the reading list to meet the needs of the intern, below is a sample list of books that may be used in the program.

Preaching

• Christ-centered Preaching by Bryan Chapell
• Exegetical Fallacies by D.A. Carson
• Preaching and Preachers by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Ministry

• The Pastor’s Book by R. Kent Hughes
• Center Church by Timothy Keller
• Nine Marks of a Healthy Church by Mark Dever
• Biblical Eldership by Alexander Strauch
• RBC Elder Document
• The Trellis and the Vine by Colin Marshall and Tony Payne
• Believers’ Baptism by Tom Schreiner and Shawn Wright

Gospel

• The Cross of Christ by John Stott
• Scandalous: The Cross and Resurrection of Jesus Christ by D.A. Carson

Apologetics and Worldview

• Finding Truth by Nancy Pearcey
• Hidden Worldviews by Steve Wilkens and Mark Sanford
• The Reason for God by Timothy Keller

Personal Life of the Pastor

• Dangerous Calling by Paul David Tripp
• Humility by C.J. Mahaney
• What’s Best Next by Matt Perman
• A Call to Spiritual Reformation by D.A. Carson

Sanctification

• Hole In Our Holiness by Kevin DeYoung
• Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Don Whitney
• The Holiness of God by R.C. Sproul

Contemporary Issues

• Love into the Light by Peter Hubbard

Worship

• Rhythms of Grace by Mike Cosper
• Christ-Centered Worship by Bryan Chapell
• Worship by the Book by Don Carson

Vocation

• Business Ethics Today: Foundations by Philip J. Clements (Editor)
• Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God’s Work by Timothy Keller