How Do We Recruit More Young Clergy?
It’s a call, yes. It comes from God, yes. And we all can participate in that journey. Is there a young adult that you have seen gifts for ministry in? Is there someone you know asking big life questions about what God’s purpose is for them?
Project Transformation creates intentional space every summer for young adults to hear and answer the call to ministry. We recruit on the internet, through colleges and direct appeals. It’s not enough. One of the goals of PT Rio Texas was for at least half of the young adults hired each summer to come from Rio Texas’ churches. That goal has yet to be met. Why not? (Thanks for asking.) We need help from you to encourage them to apply! College summers are not what they used to be. They are not time off just waiting to be filled. There is no more space for “you should.”
If you are concerned about the lack of young adults being ordained as United Methodists pastors, help us, help the church.
To the young adult you see the gifts in ask,
“What can we as your faith family do to make it possible for you to be a PT intern this summer?”
Then listen to their answers
“I need to work to have money for tuition.”
Project Transformation Summer interns are paid a summer stipend of between $3200-$3700 for the summer as well as they are provided with housing, most meals, and marketable training.
“I need to take summer classes to graduate on time.”
Project Transformation qualifies for most college student’s internship requirement for graduation. We are experts at meeting the requirements of almost all discipline internships.
“I’ve never lived away from home.”
Project Transformation is a great short term away from home experience and dinner volunteers bring food but more importantly they bring encouragement and support and love. And interns have time off on the weekends to visit home.
Please be a recruiter for PT interns for summer 2023. Every young adult hired enable us to serve 8 more children at summer camp.
Project Transformation’s faith-based summer program for young adults offers hands-on opportunities to build mutually enriching relationships with children at summer camp, live in intentional community, and explore various careers in ministry and service.
Applicants must have completed one year of college or be at least 19 years old and must have the legal right to work in the U.S.
Are you up for this? PT is for you if:
· You are a highly motivated self-starter
· You believe in the power of diversity and open-mindedness
· You love God and neighbor above all else
· You believe in hearing others’ stories, owning your own story, and living beyond comfort zones
· You believe in the silliness of childhood, creativity, smiles, and that “they are all our children”
There is much more information as well as the application at
https://projecttransformation.org/rio-texas/get-involved/summer-of-service
Written by Kercida McClain, CEO at Project Tranformation Rio Texas