Internships are one of the three central pillars of The Oaks School of Leadership. We believe that practical ministry experience is integral in preparing students for ministry. OSL is always re-evaluating and updating its format and functions to be the best in its class. We are extremely excited to announce our new First-Year Internship Format.
So, what do First-Year Internships look like?
First Year Internships require 120 hours per semester. The breakdown for those hours are as follows:
Teaching Time – 1 ½ hours/week - see schedule for Semester A and B teachings = 18 hours
Ministry Observation - 1 hour/week for 7 weeks – see schedule for Semester A and B observations = 7 hours
Ministry hours – 3 ½ hours/week = 42 hours
Church Services – 4 hours/week = 48 hours
Textbook Reading – 5 hours/semester Total – @ 12 weeks/semester = 120 hours/semester
Teachings
OSL First-Year Interns acquire practical knowledge through weekly teachings by practicing, experienced, ministers and church leaders within the Oaks Fellowship and other effective churches including:
Scott Wilson - Lead Pastor, The Oaks
Dr. Tom Wilson - Chancellor, Life School
Jack Mourning - Senior Executive Pastor, The Oaks
Jon Catron - North Texas DYD
Click here to learn more about all members of The Oaks Pastoral Staff.
Observations
First-Year Interns observe different ministries of The Oaks and other churches in the area to get a "behind-the-scenes" look at church ministry. Observations include:
Sunday morning preparation with Pastor Scott Wilson
Pre-Service and service of all weekly services at The Oaks:
Epic Kids
Seven Student Ministries
Second Sunday - Young Adult Service
Orange Family Service
Pre-Service and service at Life in Deep Ellum, a growing church in Downtown Dallas
Pastoral preparation for Baptisms
Ministry Hours
Interns in their first year spend 3 & 1/2 hours per week completing ministry hours in a department of their choice.
Internship Tracks
All First-Year students are placed in the same internship. However, there are three different tracks available within the internship.
Pastoral
Creative Arts
Worship **musical evaluation is required to be admitted in the worship track**
The track chosen by the student determines what department he/she will participate in for ministry hours.
If a student chooses the Worship Track he or she attends three specific observations for only Worship Track students and ministry hours will be fulfilled in the worship department.
If a student chooses the Creative Arts Track he or she attends three specific observations for only Creative Arts students and ministry hours will be fulfilled in the Creative Arts department.
If a student chooses the Pastoral Track he or she attends three specific observations for only Pastoral students and choose one of the following departments for his ministry hours:
Kids
Community Engagement
Students
OSL
[All students attend the same teachings regardless of the track they have chosen.]
Second Year Internships
So, What do Second Year Internships Look Like?
Second Year Internships require 120 hours per semester. The breakdown for those hours are as follows:
Teaching Time – 1 ½ hours/week
Ministry hours – 4 ½ hours/week
Church Services – 4 hours/week Total – 10 hours/week @ 12 weeks/semester = 120 hours/semester
In the Second Year Internships the students select one department to intern in. All of the teachings, project hours, and church services hours are conducted in this one department. The student may choose to intern in the same department he/she chose for ministry hours his first year, or they may interview with a different department. The departments available for 2nd year internships are:
Kids
Students
Worship
Creative Arts
Community Engagement
OSL
