Program Description

Mid-America recognizes the necessity for practical experience in preparing a man for ministry. It also realizes that there is no better way for a student to gain that experience than by being paired with a veteran pastor in a mentoring relationship. This relationship between the seasoned pastor and the M.Div. student is the focus of the Ministerial Apprenticeship Program (MAP). This program allows the student to gain field experience throughout his seminary career. A Master of Divinity student automatically becomes part of the program upon his entrance to the Seminary.

Field education is a part of seminary training, but it is always closely connected to the life of the church. Students whose denominational requirements differ from, or go beyond, those of the MAP should ensure that necessary requirements are incorporated as much as possible into their field education.

The program is under the supervision of the MAP Director in consultation with other faculty members. Working with the student, the MAP Director helps to secure a minister to supervise the student’s fieldwork. The supervising minister should be a member of the Mid-America Reformed Seminary Association, if possible. Ordinarily the student will make the supervising pastor’s congregation his church home, and his relationship with the pastor and congregation will continue for the duration of the student’s seminary training. Any financial remuneration is incidental to the established purpose of the program.

The student’s work will be evaluated at designated times each year so that his competency in several areas may be tested and improved. The student, the pastor, and the faculty will meet at the end of the junior year to evaluate specific areas of growth in the student’s spiritual, personal, theological, and ministerial life. Near the end of the middler year, a consultation with the student is conducted in the presence of the faculty. The faculty helps the student determine his suitability for the ministry and counsels him with regard to his continuing studies. If necessary, the senior year concentrates on any areas that need improvement.