internship q&a: where are you going?

People keep asking us a ton of questions about our impending internship.  Here are just a few of them: 

"Where are you going?"  

"Why don't you do your internship at the church your currently attending?"

"When will you leave?"

"How long will you be there?"

"What will you do once you get there?"

"What will your internship look like?"

"When are you graduating?"

"What are your plans after internship?"
Bonus:  The things I will miss about PA.

So, the next few posts will be the A to your Q (answers to your questions).  I will answer the first question in this post. Then I will answer the rest in subsequent posts.  And if you have any others, feel free to let me know.  I'll do my best to shed light onto the areas of your curiosity.

Where are you going?

We don't know.

That's right.

We haven't a single clue....yet.

We potentially could be packing our bags and having no idea of our destination.  (And that's my expectation.  So if we find out sooner...what a special blessing!)

We are allowed to request a placement church.  Which we have done.  This is one of them.  And we are still waiting to hear if it's a possibility.  You see, the seminary does a fantastic job of trying to protect it's interns.  We have already taken personality tests and filled out resumés, to ensure the church aligns with our goals, our strengths, and our weaknesses.  The internship coordinator will be going to visit with the church and it's lead pastor.  The pastor must then be interviewed.  The church must understand the requirements which Michael has to accomplish in order to graduate. (They must clearly understand that he is NOT to "used" amongst their various "ministries" wherever a warm body is currently needed.  a.k.a.  They shouldn't make Mike the janitor because they need one.)   The church has to then be approved by the seminary.  And this is what will happen next (more or less):  The church will have multiple interviews with us, as a couple (on site, phone, as well as skype), the church will have to approve us, and ultimately, we will have to agree to go.  I appreciate such a process to find the right placement God has for us!   

We have a few other churches in mind, as well.  The location being places in New England (the area of our burden).  But we do not realistically see them coming through for us.

We could also end up in Michigan or Ohio, because that's where most of the internship coordinator's contacts are.  Many churches in those states have already been approved for future internship placements.  So...that makes them easy.  But we don't want easy.  (And we don't want to be in those states...they are lovely states, but they do not have the type of people we, one day, would like to minister to.)

There are also other concerns on our hearts about our placement.  Ones of affiliation, style of leadership, and relevancy to our burden.  (But I don't feel that a blog is an appropriate platform to discuss some of those things.)  So I will leave your mind wondering!  {Oh!  I love trying to be mysterious!}

As of right now, we are trusting in the Lord and trusting in our internship coordinator!

Prayer requests:

• To find a church placement for our internship.  One that...
• is healthy and growing.
• has a burden for church-planting/currently (or recently)(or attempting) planting churches.
• is in the New England area.
• will have godly mentors for Mike and I.
• will have a good godly support system of ladies (for my wavering heart).
• will allow us to strengthen our weaknesses.
• will allow us to use our spiritual gifts.
• will create a positive experience and learning environment.
• will have an affiliation we are comfortable with.
• would have the type of leadership we desire to emulate in the future.
• To find a church placement sooner rather than later.
• The grace and peace of mind to accept whatever comes our way!

Wait for the Lord;

be strong, and let your heart take courage;

wait for the Lord!

Psalm 27:14