We are so excited to be able to offer internships again, starting in September!

What’s an internship?

An internship is a great way to take a year to grow in your faith and to hone your skills for the workplace. Whether you’re looking to work in a church, for a charity or other third-sector organisation or for the corporate world, an internship is a great way to gain some practical work experience as well as a chance to help you explore career options.

As a church, we can offer practical experience in a number of transferable areas, as well as a year to solidly ground your faith and character which are both essential to flourish as a follower of Jesus in any contemporary workplace. 

The internship programme will run from September to July, and be based around 3 things:

• Theological training (provided by Vineyard UK and Ireland)

• Practical experience and on-the-job learning

• Mentoring, sponsoring and spiritual development

What will I be doing?

As an intern, you will be sponsored by one of our pastoral team, who will line manage you as you work within a certain ministry area in the church. There are five areas to choose from: compassion, kids, worship, youth and pioneering pastoral leadership. The availability of each area will depend on the capacity of the sponsor involved and the number of applications in any given year. You’ll be working with your sponsor in a given ministry area, helping hands-on with the existing ministry and helping to strategise and develop new projects within it.  In addition, you’ll have a spiritual director/mentor from within Vineyard who will help you reflect on what you’re learning and on your growing relationship with God, and theological training from VCUKI (the national Vineyard movement). 

Theological training will include one day per week of home study, using resources produced or recommended by VCUKI, and one day per month of study in Nottingham as part of that year’s Vineyard College cohort. There will be general theological training as well as ministry-specific modules.

You will need to be able to commit at least 25 hours per week to being part of your chosen ministry area at church, in addition to the above study time. These hours will be flexible depending on your chosen area and the projects you are part of. Be aware when applying that a lot of our ministries take place on evenings and weekends, as well as during the week!

Do I need to be a member of Birmingham Vineyard?

You don’t need to be a member of Birmingham Vineyard to apply, but you will need to attend church while doing your internship. Your work will involve being part of our Sunday team, as that’s where much of our ministry takes place. You will also need to be living in Birmingham for the duration of the internship, so that you can easily access our facilities. We can help provide low-cost housing and help with other costs you might incur as part of your internship.

Please note: there is an occupational requirement for anyone in this role to be a practising Christian.

How much does it cost?

The cost for the Vineyard college course is £320 deposit plus £99 per month for the year.

For successful applicants who require it, Birmingham Vineyard would be able to offer a bursary and reduced-cost housing for the year. Additional funds could be gained through support raising or casual work.

Funding will be decided during the application and interview process, in conversation with potential interns and the church trustees.

OK, how do I find out more?

If you think you might be interested in applying for an internship programme, get in touch with us using the form below and we will be in contact with you.

If you would like to help support our internship programme, for example by providing spiritual direction or mentoring, housing an intern, or offering prayer or financial support, you can email becky@birminghamvineyard.com detailing the support you’d like to offer and we will be in touch with you.