PROGRAM OUTLINE

(NOTICE: The Training Ground program has been suspended until further notice)

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makeusholy

Training Ground

An intensive internship program for worship leaders desiring to serve the Church with a pastoral heart

The Goal

Multiplying authentic worship in the church and in the world by training worship leaders in worship, prayer and discipleship.

The Purpose of Training Ground

• to disciple and train worship leaders to serve the church with a pastoral heart

• to equip them with the skills necessary to effectively lead others into an authentic expression of worship to Jesus both within the context of the local church and in the world
• to encourage the local church to take an active role in leadership development

The Eligibility of a Training Ground intern

• open to any adult who senses a call to pastoral worship ministry and wishes to test that call

The Attributes of a Potential Training Ground Intern

1) a life committed to following Jesus

2) a passion for worship ministry and for people

3) a willingness to submit themselves to a ministry assignment within a local church setting

4) a recognized aptitude for leading worship, coupled with musical skill in voice and, preferably, at least one instrument

5) a teachable spirit and openness for being stretched in new areas and abilities

The Broad Overview of Training Ground Program

makeusholy has a vision to “invite renewal through worship, prayer and discipleship”. To help facilitate that, we have developed Training Ground, an intensive internship program for worship leaders who desire to serve the Church with a pastoral heart.

Training Ground is a 9 month program (running from September through May), offering training, teaching, mentoring and practical experience in worship leadership within a local church setting. Training Ground includes the following elements:

• service placement in 2 different local churches for 4 months each, approximately 20 hours per week, focussed in the area of worship ministry
• retreats with other interns and muh staff to start and finish the 9 month experience, as well as a guided silent prayer retreat
• a 1-3 week mission experience
• weekly instruction, evaluation and one-on-one mentoring with muh staff and associate staff
• weekly sharing and accountability time with fellow interns
• bi-monthly “field trips” to diverse church fellowships to get a taste of the broad spectrum of corporate worship ministry
• required reading and reflection papers, as directed by muh staff
• intensive ministry discernment evening for each intern at completion of program to help discern future ministry possibilities and opportunities

Room and Board

Interns coming from out of town will be provided room and board from muh, either through their host church, or in another private home.

Transportation

Transportation to and from Kitchener/Waterloo is the responsibility of the intern. Transportation during the internship period will be the responsibility of the intern for the duration of the program (except where provided by muh – field trips, retreats, etc.). Although not necessary, the availability of a car while on the program is highly recommended (city has bus service).

Church Assignment and Placement

Training Ground intern would be placed into two 4-month assignments at local churches. Each placement would offer a different worship environment and the intern would be strategically placed within churches that would both encourage and stretch their understanding of worship within the context of the church.

Areas of service for the intern within their host church may include some or all of the following: leading a worship team, playing on a worship team, planning services, providing resources to team members, attending rehearsals (even on weeks not directly involved, for input and learning), developing a new worship team (i.e. youth or children’s worship team), incorporating artistic elements into corporate worship times (i.e. dramatic readings, dance, etc.). (refer to sample weekly intern schedule below).

The Training Ground intern would report to a staff member or other leader of the host church for weekly assignments and attend staff meetings (if applicable). Their main accountability would be to this host mentor. The intern would attend 7 out of 8 Sundays in host church, leaving the 8^th Sunday for “field trips” to other churches to obtain a broader spectrum of corporate worship..

Training Ground’'s Partnership with Local (Kitchener-Waterloo) Host Churches

Training Ground is looking to partner with churches who have a vision to multiply authentic worship. These churches are seeking to grow their music and artistic expressions in their corporate worship times. These churches have a vision for leadership development.

Interns assigned to a host church would serve approximately 15-20 hours per week in that church (refer to sample weekly intern schedule below). The host church would provide one staff member (or lay church leader) who could commit approximately 3-5 hours per week in one-on-one direction with their intern.

In tasks assigned to the intern, we would request that at least 50% of time spent in the host church be directly related to the worship ministry of that church.

The host church would provide room and board in a private home for the intern (where that is not feasible muh will seek out appropriate accommodation).

A Profile of a Host Churches

• committed to training up leaders for the kingdom of God
• committed to the development of worship and the arts expressions for the 21^st century
• willing and able to provide room and board for the intern working with their church
• committed to reaching beyond the walls of the church in mission, interaction and service

What will an intern have gleaned from their experience in muh Training Ground?

1) They will be developing a deeper passion for Jesus through spiritual disciplines, by being:

• a worshiper whose expression of worship encompasses all of life
• rooted in the Scriptures
• one who regularly and actively engages with God in prayer

2) They will have a heart for the church, displaying:

• a true servant heart, embracing the unique journey and role each church plays within the broader spectrum of Christ’s Body
• a willingness to patiently walk alongside of the church leading it into the changes that will better equip it for its mission in the world
• a desire to build a sense of community with their host family, host church and fellow interns

3) They will be skilled at being a team leader/player who is:

• learning to work joyfully alongside others in ministry (i.e. staff, lay people)
• helping to lead people in their worship of Jesus, regardless of whether or not they are the worship leader, a participant or a part of the congregation
• receptive to ongoing personal growth, demonstrated by a willingness to receive encouragement as well as critique from others

4) They will have grown in their skill as a musician, and will have:

• honed their abilities with instrument(s) and voice
• participated in regular rehearsals (and music lessons where applicable)
• composed worship songs and had them critiqued

5) Knowing that evangelism breeds authentic worship and authentic worship breeds evangelism, they will be mission-minded, having a heart that goes beyond the walls of the church, and will:

• participate in at least one short-term mission trip during the course of the internship, with a view to birth/encourage a missional heart
• intentionally develop relationships with people who are not followers of Jesus

Cost

• Tuition fee for year - $4000 (Includes all required reading and training materials, beginning and end retreats, prayer retreat)
• Short-term mission experience $400-1000 (depending on placement)
• Room and board in a private home would be provided
  

Other costs not included in tuition:

• Transportation – varied, depending on use of public transportation or private vehicle
• Personal effects/recreation
• Music lessons/vocal training lessons
  
• A laptop (preferably with wireless capabilities) would be a tremendous asset

Sample Weekly Intern Schedule

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Morning	Sabbath Day (flexible depending on host church)	Church assignment (3-4 hours)	Teaching with muh staff / small group time (4 hours)	Church assignment (3-4 hours)	Church assignment (3-4 hours)	Open	Church Service(s) (3-4 hours)
Afternoon	Sabbath Day	Personal study time (4 hours)	One-on-one muh mentoring (2 hour)	Open	Open	Open	Open
Evening	Sabbath Day	Rehearsal with worship team (3 hours)	Open	Rehearsal with worship team (3 hours)	Open	Potential evening service (2 hours)	Open (potential evening service)

Weekly schedule to include:

• Church assignment - max. 20 hours per week (min suggested to be no less than 15 hours per week)
• Teaching/mentoring with muh staff - 4-6 hours per week
• Personal study time – 4-10 hours per week (i.e. assigned reading, composing, writing papers, music lessons, etc.)
• Remaining open time slots – relationship building, possible part-time employment, recreation, education