UCF-MIT Manual
Rev. E Andrew Mitchell
An internship at University Christian Fellowship of Syracuse
is a 9 month program designed to train individuals in every area of
Christian ministry that this time will allow. It is much
like an apprenticeship in which ministry skills are learned under the
supervision of an experienced ministry staff person. Our internship
is seen as a bridge between college education or a secular career and
possible future vocational ministry. It is a time when a person can
test his or her call into ministry as well as render service
to the work of the Kingdom for a few months. However, it is primarily
designed to train people who feel God calling them into eventual full time
ministry, in particular.
To be accepted into the internship program an Application for
Internship must first be completed. Then the consideration and approval
process by the ministry staff may begin.
- An intern must attend all UCF training opportunities.
- An intern must attend any scheduled retreats.
- An intern must be willing to make a 9 month commitment
usually beginning around August 20 and ending about May 20.
- An intern must raise his or her own financial support. Working while on
the internship places added burden on the participant.
University Christian Fellowship is the official name of an inter-denominational
church that provides ministry to the Westcott and University neighborhoods of
the greater Syracuse area. UCF is recognized as an IRS 501(c)3 tax exempt
organization, as well as a New York State tax exempt religious corporation.
UCF receives funding from it's members, presently active students, UCF
alumni, and private donors. This support goes to pay for the work of
the ministry, and the support of the staff. UCF-MIT is
primarily responsive to the Elders of University Christian Fellowship of Syracuse.
Ministry is essentially relationships. Leadership is
primarily focused upon the development of healthy relationships, both
horizontal (people-people) and vertical (people-God). Thus,
leadership is strongly rooted in a sharing and discipling role.
Jesus' model of life involved sending no one into ministry without
first having the opportunity of walking close to one serving God
effectively. The most important gift that can be given to an intern
is our lives. As you watch our personal transparency, we will be
sharing with you the real nature of our walk with God and
service to Him. We will be inviting you to know us and to grow with
us in like manner.
We ask this of you. We ask that you be as open
with us as possible, and that we share not just information together
but actual life. It is important for us to know your reactions to
what we are asking you do in the internship program. Your assessment
is essential. We ask too, that you be faithful, prompt, and thorough
in your completion of tasks assigned. Please do not try to take
advantage of us. As relationships grow, we will hold you increasingly
more accountable. One area that deserves mention is that of
confidences and loyalty. In a great way you will be the reverse of
everyone else in the Fellowship. You may know more than anyone else
about how everything is functioning, but know everyone less. In this
we ask that you be a person of great loyalty and one who keeps
confidences.
We as a ministry shall give much to you...our
time, honesty, oversight, ministry opportunities, encouragement,
training, counseling, teaching, spiritual ministry, etc. Regretfully,
we will be able to assist you financially in a very limited manner.
We desire you to be able to live simply for the 9 months you are here
through provisions from private donors and personal savings. Since
the internship will probably demand about 40 hours per week, working
is very difficult.
How and when do you raise financial support? Your first
need is to develop a list of possible supporters (i.e., family,
friends, home church, other churches with whom you have relationship,
individuals within those churches, etc.). Then send personal letters
to everyone on the master list. Do not ask for support in your
letter, but simply explain the directional change in your life. Then
state that you will contact them within 7-10 days to set up an
appointment to talk to them about potentially supporting you in your
internship (be sure to follow through with your stated intentions).
In these face to face encounters state clearly the purpose of the
internship as you understand it, and the reason you feel it is
necessary for you to participate in it. Then ask them if they could
assist you financially. Pledge to them your willingness to answer
questions they may have concerning the internship and your commitment
to stay in touch with them monthly concerning your progress in the
program.
We will attempt to assist
you in finding a living situation that will keep living expenses at a
minimum. You should plan on spending between $700-800
per month to barely manage in Syracuse. Please do not bring debt with you to the
program if possible.
Syracuse is located in the center of New York State and is home to Syracuse
University, The New York State Fair, and many other interests and attractions.
UCF is situated in the heart of the Westcott neighborhood of Syracuse and directly
adjacent to the University. The area surrounding the church is distinctly
inner-city in feel and is a diverse mix of people and ideas. Young people are
attracted to the area because of strong art and music influences, as well as a
very open culture. Tolerance is expected and practiced with enthusiasm.
University Christian Fellowship is a postmodern expression of faith in Christ
to a lost generation, and is comprised of mainly 20/30 somethings and singles.
UCF provides an art gallery in the front of the church, as well as times of open expression
for those interested. The church is also open for public use as requested.
- Andy & June Mitchell
- Andy has been involved in ministry since
October of
1983 when he assumed responsibility as a student leader of a Christian
organization at Fredonia State. In the Spring of 1984, he along with
2 others pioneered a campus ministry and began to hold meetings. In 1985,
Andy was credentialed with the Assemblies of God and appointed Campus
Pastor of the Fredonia group. He served as the New York District
Campus Ministries Director and an appointed home missionary
working as a chaplain at Syracuse University and Cornell University. He served
on staff at Fredonia Assembly of God as an Assistant Pastor, and Youth
Pastor. Currently, Andy is pastor of University Christian Fellowship
of Syracuse. He received his education at Niagara University,
University of Buffalo, Berean College of the Assemblies of God, and
Fredonia State College where he graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of
Science degree in Human Communication. June serves as a children's teacher in
the church. She graduated from Fredonia State College with
a Bachelor of Science in Education degree in Elementary Education. Andy and
June were married February 14, 1987. Their son's name is Garrett, and their
daughter's name is Morgan.
- Mary Perun
- Mary has been
involved in Christian ministry most of her life. The daughter of an
Assemblies of God minister, she grew up working for God through
the various ministries of her Dad's church. Mary has experience
working in several ministry philosophies, along with several
positions in the local church. She has served as a Music Director,
Choir Director, Worship Leader, Soloist, Musician, Sunday School
Teacher, and Church Board Member at Fredonia Assembly of God. She
also had a traveling ministry of Worship Seminars and special
services to the local church. Mary received her education at Fredonia
State College, graduating with a Master of Music degree with honors.
She also attended Berean College of the Assemblies of God, and serves
University Christian Fellowship as the Music Director and Chief Financial
Officer.
- Tricia Wood
- Tricia serves as the UCF Kinship Coordinator and Director of
International Student Ministries. She also attended Berean College of the
Assemblies of God, and is a graduate of the UCF-MIT Internship. Tricia holds
an engineering degree from the University of Buffalo and worked in a lab for
several years before joining the ministry team at UCF. She has served the
local church in administration and teaching, bringing much practical and life
experience to her position with UCF-MIT.
- Matt Manuel
- Matt serves as the Assistant Pastor of UCF, and as a Kinship Leader, Counselor, and Worship Leader. He pioneered Downtown Christian Fellowship, as well as a Kinship as a student leader at Syracuse University. Matt is a graduate of the UCF-MIT program, a local architect, and holds a degree from SU. He serves the UCF-MIT program as a teacher and discipler.
- Martha Stansberry
- Martha serves UCF as a Kinship Leader, UCFkids Director, and Crack Video Team Leader. A graduate of the UCF-MIT program, Martha also holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Buffalo in chemical engineering. Martha is joining the Internship staff to learn and grow as a discipler. She may also take a teaching position during the year.
- Dean Lundgren
- Dean serves the church as the Youth Pastor, Counselor, Prayer Team Member, and Worship Team Member. He recently co-led a mission team to France, and has participated on several missions in the recent past. Dean is a graduate of the UCF-MIT program and has much experience within the local church. He is a regular teacher for the Internship courses.
To become an effective minister, you
must learn how to wear a variety of hats. You must
grow in becoming a missionary, pastor, evangelist, teacher, counselor,
public relations specialist, administrator, fund raiser, and a friend
to all. Your required involvement is intended to move you in the
direction of wearing these hats with some degree of
confidence.
- You will meet weekly with the Internship Director (ID).
- You will attend a regular Board of Directors meeting of University
Christian Fellowship of Syracuse to report on your internship to the
leadership of the
church.
- You will lead or assist a Discipleship Group at the discretion
of the ID. These people will be your primary contacts and
you should attempt to develop as close a relationship with them as possible.
- You will attend the Leadership Bible Study on a weekly
basis when offered. This will be a time of reporting your assessments,
your
personal growth, your study progress, and your personal well
being.
- You will attend all church services and meetings. To miss would require
special permission from the ID.
- You will assume an administrative task as determined together
with the ID.
- You will remain current with the Study Program (as
outlined elsewhere in this manual).
- You will accompany the
Staff when they do presentations.
- You are required to develop the basic organization for a
filing system. This may be as simple as a milk crate or elaborate as an office cabinet. It should reflect the Philosophy of
Ministry, Leadership, Fund raising, etc. This will serve as a filing
system to place handouts, articles, book quotations, and teaching
notes you receive during the year.
- You will keep a journal. You
should find time daily to reflect on and write down your feelings and
impressions from the various facets of your experience. It would be
appropriate for you to bring the journal with you to the weekly
meeting with the ID, and share what is happening inside you. It will
always be a private matter.
- You will keep a weekly calendar.
- You will attend all fellowship events.
- You will prepare and share a five minute teaching at a kinship
or church.
- You will prepare a monthly newsletter and send it to
friends, supporters, and your home church.
- You will attend all retreats and outreaches.
- You may be invited to participate in a mission experience with our UCF
missionary in Ghana, West Africa. This month long assignment is designed to assist
those exploring a call into full time missions, and will only be offered to interns
who are current with all aspects of the program.
- You may have an opportunity to join in a short-term mission experience
during the internship. All interns are expected to participate.
- UCF-MIT
- University Christian Fellowship Minister In Training.
An internship program designed to train adults for
ministry.
- University Christian Fellowship
- The name of the church providing oversight of the UCF-MIT program.
- Service
- The weekly church meeting held on Sunday morning.
- Kinship
- The discipleship groups that meet weekly.
- Kinship Leader
- Members of UCF who have received training in discipleship and teach the Kinships.
- The Board of Directors
- People affirmed and chosen to leadership of UCF, serving as the main guiding force for the church.
- Evangelism
- A time of sharing faith and life with others.
- Elders
- A small group of people affirmed to direct visionary leadership of UCF and all
auxiliary ministries of the church.
- Short-term Missions
- A missions experience overseas lasting approximately two weeks.
The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer will be the base text
used for the duration of the Internship. Each week a different section of the book
is assigned. You are to read the section at the beginning of the
week and then attempt to integrate what you have learned into your
personal life. Write a one page report that interprets the section
and applies it to your life. Share this report with the Internship
Director.
Through Moriah School of Ministry
you will take courses that will lead you in the
direction of growing in your knowledge of God and the bible. You will complete all
courses assigned on the certificate level. The following is a partial list of
courses; the ID will assign the actual courses after your arrival:
- The Godhead
- Worship
- Ministry Gifts
- Authority of the Bible
- Eschatology
- First Century Church
- Spiritual Warfare
- Sacraments and Typology
- Living by Faith
- Man, Sin and Salvation
- Bible Interpretation
- Early Church History
- OT and NT Survey
- The Four Stages of Mission
A leader is a reader.
Following are categories of concern for the developing minister. One
book should be read every three weeks with a one page report discussed
at the weekly meeting with the ID.
- Kingdom of God: The Gospel of the Kingdom, Ladd, George
- Intercession: The Three Battlegrounds, Frangipane, Francis
- Obedience: Intimate Friendship with God, Dawson, Joy
- Missions: The Master Plan of Evangelism, Coleman, Robert
- Leadership: The Jesus Style, Erwin, Gayle
- Evangelism: Evangelism by Fire, Bonhke, Reinhardt
- Faith: Finding Faith, McLaren, Brian
- Philosophy: The Divine Conspiracy, Willard, Dallas
- Fellowship: Life Together, Bonhoeffer, Dietrich
- Counseling: The Transformation of the Inner Man, Sanford,
John & Paula
DUE DATES FOR GUIDED READING BOOKS WILL BE ASSIGNED BY
THE INTERNSHIP DIRECTOR.
- Interns are not additional
staff. We are not inviting you into our ministry program because we
need your help. You will have no authority in the ministry other than
the authority to disciple members of your Kinship/Bible Study, if you lead one.
You will be included in many kinds of meetings, but you will not carry
an official vote in decision making. You are coming here to learn and grow and
you will find this to be an excellent opportunity for such to happen.
We are committed to you.
- You will receive a mid-term
evaluation and a year end evaluation of your Internship. Among many
areas of evaluation (including character, vision, heart, and ministry
skills) you will receive one of the following evaluations:
- A
- - Full Recommendation to Ministry
- B
- - Recommended with Stipulations
- C
- - Recommended with Hesitations
- D
- - Not Recommended to Ministry
Completing an Internship does not guarantee you moving directly into
ministry. However, we will do all we can to prepare you for such a
move.
- All interns will weekly attend the Sunday worship service of
University Christian Fellowship of Syracuse
- All interns
are required to own acceptable clothes for church related
functions.
- A high standard of cleanliness in living areas
and personal hygiene must be maintained always. You are required to
keep your room and/or apartment clean and organized at all times
during the year.
- You are required to carry your Bible to all meetings.
- You will not discuss doctrinal differences with anyone but the ID.
- You will clear with the ID any ministry outside the program.
You are required to take one day off each week. Mondays usually work best.
Take time to recreate yourself in a manner that is restful for
you. If there is an event that you attend on Monday, then plan to
take that amount of time off during the week.
The extra days free will roughly be the same as for the Syracuse University students
(a majority of the time) according to the current school calendar. If
you have any questions concerning time away or free time, please ask.
Please give at least two weeks notice before requesting a leave for
special reasons (emergencies excluded).
The last day of the internship will be May 20 (unless you go on a short term
mission trip).
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University Chrisitan Fellowship of Syracuse
UCF-MIT Manual
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