Internship Track Descriptions
We are specifically designing our internships around the passions and gifts of the people who are applying to the program. Discovering what your passions and gifts are will be part of the experience and each intern will be assigned to one area based on their passion and gifts. The possible ministry teams that an intern may serve on at Westside Church include: children's ministry, church planting & expansion, discipleship, innovation & technology, local & global missions, worship, and youth ministry.
Children's Ministry
As a Children's Ministry Intern you will have the opportunity to be mentored by the children's ministry staff of Westside. You will experience and contribute in all facets of this ministry, but special focus and training will be given to passionately recognizing and ministering to the families of Westside Church. You will leave this internship with a better understanding of the dynamics of local churches partnering with families to disciple kids. You will also leave a better equipped leader and a more fully devoted follower of Christ committed to the local church.
Church Planting & Expansion
We, as a church, are all about growing healthy and numerically (we want change the spiritual climate of our community by 10%). The Great Commission is a huge motivator for us. To that end Westside Church is all about Seats and Satellites. We've been figuring out ways to reach out around our community with our first multi-site. We are a “portachurch” in most senses of the word. We currently host one weekend service at our South Campusand are looking to expand to a second service and a second site. If you are motivated and energetic, then this ministry could be what you're looking for. Each week is dynamic and has lots of creativity to it, plus it requires discipline, schedules, routines, flexibility and above all the ability to “play nicely with others” especially when it comes to volunteers. You get to flex your muscles literally, work with people both older and younger then you and get stretched.
Communications and Social Media
The world of Social Media is expanding rapidly and we believe the Church can leverage this technology as a useful tool in promoting the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Social Media Intern will work directly with the director of Communications to research and implement best practices in a variety of outlets including blogs, facebook, twitter, and our church website. During the program you will have the opportunity to manage our current communication tools and learn about new strategies and tactics as they relate to church marketing, communication and promotion. The perfect intern would be a self-starter, independent worker who enjoys social media, knows how to communicate ideas clearly and is challenged by projects that move them into new areas of learning and faith. "It's not the tools that you have faith in - tools are just tools. They work, or they don't work. It's people you have faith in or not." (Steve Jobs)
Innovation & Technology
Have you ever wondered who decorates the stage at a church , or writes and acts in the dramas on stage. These people are the backbone of the church , they add flavor to a healthy church. The Innovation and Technology depart is responsible for a broad range of the service production. Lights, Stage , Video announcements are just to name a few. At the end of the program you will be able to understand and implement a weekend service from start to finish. The final project each student will write and produce a 5 minute short video ,that can be the first project in your portfolio. Innovation and Technology are another tool that churches are using today find out how.
Local & Global Missions
Today's society is multi-cultural and complex. As a missions intern with Westside you will learn how to lead in this environment and communicate effectively cross-culturally. Your present level of compassion will be challenged as you see the needs of our city and world and respond to those needs in practical ways. Part of the internship will include leadership opportunities for local and global mission trips as you are mentored in leading the outreach ministries of Westside.
Worship
“The call to lead people into the presence of God through music is one that we take very seriously. Through the Worship track you will develop both the heart and art of being a true worshipper. We'll teach you how to be a prophetic, proficient leader and musician. You will acquire the skills to confidently lead a band, connect with a congregation, as well as learning to build and organize teams. At the end of the year you will have seen all the “ins and outs” of how Westside's worship ministry functions, and you will be equipped to lead worship ministries in a local church.
The prerequisites for this track are as follows: the student must be able to sing and have a basic knowledge of an instrument (piano, guitar or drums), as well as the willingness to learn more instruments/vocal techniques as the year progresses.”
Youth Ministry
As a Youth Ministry Intern, you will not only learn about all aspects of youth ministry, you will have the opportunity to take part in a broad range of responsibilities, including; strategy, implementation, outreach events, camps, weekend and midweek services, local youth missions, as well as directing specific services, events and series for 4th through 12th grade students. Upon completing this track, you will understand how to passionately develop and direct a youth ministry in the local church and beyond.
