Summer brings a flurry of activity, particularly in the preschool through youth ministry of a church.  Camps, VBS, daycamps, sport-camps, white-water rafting…whew!  Thank goodness for young interns who are ready to learn and engage in energetic ministry.  This summer we have been blessed with a number of interns from around our area, and also around the world.

So what will they take with them?

Yes, interns are here to learn.  Thank the Lord for the ministers who took me under their wing to literally watch them work.  I have been shaped greatly by those early encounters in ministry.  So some things come by watching, some by doing, and some by a combo, literally trial and error at times.

Yet, make sure that you have some way of closing the loop. In other words, without being too heavy, how about an exit interview.  Instead of hoping they “caught” some things, actually say them.  Instead of wondering about how things went or what could have helped or been better, ask.

Try prompters like:

1. What has God taught you this summer about your call and gifting?

2. What stretched you the most?

3. What do you wish you could have experienced and did not get to?

4. If you were planning an intern experience/track for the future, what would you make a part of the training?

5. Because of this experience, you know you need to learn more about…

6. What could I do as a Minister/Leader to better equip interns?