Residencies and Internships

Austin Leadership Institute

Applications are currently being accepted for the summer and fall of 2010.

Program Introduction

Our leadership development program provides training in church planting and city renewal with a focus on spiritual formation. Being a part of our entrepreneurial, team-oriented culture will give you first hand experience in the local church and help you develop into a theologically grounded, mission-minded leader.

We currently offer residencies and internships with our staff team. All paid positions are funded by raising support (which we'll teach you how to do).

What Current and Past Participants Have to Say:

  • Over the term of my one year residency, I had the opportunity to observe how to effectively develop a ministry in all facets: financial, leadership development, execution, mobilization, staff oversight, and several other experiences. I am grateful for the opportunity to have been given a great deal of responsibility and flexibility in learning ministry, but also was given strong guidance, oversight, and correction when necessary. Through the practice of ministry, my personal theology was challenged and sharpened, and most importantly given a context for application of theological truth in the local church. Most of all, I learned about the depth of God’s heart, and how my spiritual gifts and talents could be best used to advance His kingdom in the city of Austin and beyond.

    Todd Engstrom, Resident for Leadership Development with Kevin Peck

  • Through my residency, I’ve had the opportunity to learn to develop and equip missional community leaders in south Austin, and mentor leaders of leaders. Additionally, I have been focusing on mobilizing and networking the missional communities to participate in redemption and restoration in neighborhoods all over the city.

    Overall, I have had the opportunity to capture best practices and hear great stories of life-transformation through missional small groups. I have grown in my knowledge of processes, resources, best practices, roles, responsibilities, and developing a reproducible system of leadership development and mobilization that will transfer well when I plant a church in the future.

    Sean Eppers, Church Planting Resident with Michael Stewart

  • One of the most challenging yet rewarding undertakings of my life. I’ve been stretched both emotionally and spiritually and have seen tremendous growth in my maturity. The internship has taught me my extreme dependence on the Lord and need to look holistically at how all the pieces fit together to make the church body move efficiently and effectively.

    Scott Frazier, Intern with College Ministry

  • Serving in the college ministry has grown me in ways I would have never imagined. The opportunities to learn from the staff and how Godly principles are carried out in a business office have been life skills that I will take with me throughout my life. The internship has equipped me to build more missional relationships on the UT campus and to seek out new opportunities to spread the Gospel in new ways. I am so grateful that God has blessed me with this opportunity and pray that through the knowledge and experience that He has provided me during this time, He will use it to further His kingdom throughout the rest of my life.

    Nikki Adkins, Intern with College Ministry

  • The content of what I’ve learned has been great. I don’t see how this could have been any better. I will not leave here wishing I would have heard about this philosophy or read about this idea somewhere. I’ve also really enjoyed the access to leaders I’ve gained who are outside The Austin Stone - the conferences, assessments, interaction with other leaders from outside of ASCC has been great. Finally, the learning environment (staff, retreats, day to day in the office) has been a great one to learn in. It really gives me a good picture of how to lead a staff and the overall “feel” I would love to have in a future church plant.

    Jeremy Hager, Church Planting Resident with Michael Stewart

  • My internship grew me in that it gave me the opportunity to be a part of vision casting and the responsibility to see that vision come to fruition. Subsequently I feel that God used my experience at the Austin Stone to fuel a passion in me to earnestly seek out God’s vision in things that are bigger than just me and the discipline to bring others alongside to labor as God brings it about.

    Austin Baker, Intern with College Ministry

Residencies

Residencies are one-on-one mentorships with an Austin Stone leader. Residents will gain significant exposure to the area of focus in which their mentor is involved.

During your one to three year term, you can expect to have a high degree of freedom in ministry, with oversight and training provided by your mentor. A residency is an excellent opportunity for entrepreneurial leaders to emerge and thrive.

In addition to working closely with your mentor, you will participate in a cohort, which will provide training in theology, God’s Word, and the character of God. This cohort will also provide a community with which to process your experiences.

Typically residents have obtained an undergraduate degree, and are interested in pursuing vocational ministry. However, on occasion we offer residencies designed around a specific skill set such as graphic design or technology development. Residencies are subject to the availability of the staff member you would like to mentor under.

Program Highlights

  • 1-on-1 apprenticeship
  • Entrepreneurship expected
  • Cohort participation
  • 360 degree review semi-annually
  • Full time
  • Outside education encouraged

Basic Information

  • Support to be raised varies based on size of family, financial stability, etc.
  • Optional benefits
  • 40+ hours per week
  • 1 to 3 year term

Application Process

Find the staff member you’re interested in working with. Download and fill out our Residency Application (.PDF | .DOC). Send your completed application to our program coordinator with your resume and a cover letter. We’ll follow up with you on the availability of the residency you’re applying for. A completed application is the first in a multi-step process including an interview and assessment period, and–pending acceptance to the program–support-raising.

Applications for Summer 2010 are due by midnight on Sunday, March 21.

Internships

An internship is a learning and serving position within a particular area or ministry team at The Austin Stone. Our interns are key contributors to the day-to-day operations of our church, who learn to lead by doing.

Through this semester-based program, you will have the opportunity to develop theologically while growing in practical ministry skills.

Typically, interns are people in school or recently out of school who desire to develop as leaders while making an impact in the local church. Interns may be exploring vocational ministry or seeking to develop their leadership skills for careers in the marketplace.

Interns apply for specific positions, which are listed on our Internship Board.

Highlights

  • Team oriented ministry
  • Theological training
  • Mentorship relationship with supervisor
  • Cohort participation
  • Semester retreats and seminars
  • Exposure to daily operations in ministry of the local church

Basic Information

We offer 3 levels of internships, reflecting different hours, responsibilities, and support raising requirements.

  • Level 1:
    • Support-funded (amount raised varies and is determined during application process)
    • Optional benefits
    • 40+ hours per week
    • 1-3 year term
  • Level 2:
    • Support-funded (amount raised varies and is determined during application process)
    • Optional benefits
    • 20-30 hours per week
    • Semester terms (possibility of renewing for additional semesters)
  • Level 3:
    • Unpaid
    • 12-15 hours per week
    • Semester terms (possibility of renewing for additional semesters)

Application Process

Check out the Internship Board. Find the position you're applying for and download the application associated with that position. Send your completed application with a resume and cover letter to our program coordinator. A member from the area or ministry team hosting the internship will contact you regarding the position. Following the application period, an interview and assessment process will begin. Accepted interns will, if necessary, then being the support raising process.

We have different application due dates based on the level of internship. Please read below and reference the internship board to determine what due date applies to the internship for which you're applying. Note that applications are due at midnight on their specified date.

  • Level 1 Internships: Sunday, March 21*
  • Level 2 Internships: Sunday, April 4*
  • Level 3 Internships: Sunday, April 25*

*The March 21 deadline gives Level 1 interns two months of time to raise support before their first internship semester. The April 4 deadline gives Level 2 interns six weeks to raise support before their first internship semester.