A searchable, downloadable PDF of the original article appears below. Lincoln G. Bryant is a student at Knox College, Toronto.
Computers and preaching, or was it preaching and computers? Either way, those two concerns were very much on his mind as he went out for a walk that spring morning. One entire year at the college was already behind, or at least almost so – there remained only a couple of assignments and an exam. Computers and the virtual impossibility of finding enough money to buy one was one topic for prayer.
The other prayer concern was perhaps a deeper one and a more important one over the long term, and although it tended to be obscured by visions of computers, preaching was also on his mind. After all, the first year preaching course was complete and not much more than a few words (or sounds) had been spoken aloud. In just two more years the responsibility of preaching would be his along with all of the other pastoral duties. At that point it seemed possible to go through three years of seminary training and only preach twice – once in each of the required preaching courses.
By the time the walk was over and the prayer had been offered up, the Lord had already begun to answer both requests. There was just enough time for coffee before class. The answer to prayer came in an unexpected form. Another student was taking a break and, over coffee, mentioned something about an ‘internship’ being available in Weston.
Now an internship had seemed pretty impossible because they usually require leaving Toronto – hardly practical since his wife worked and they had a nice apartment – but the idea had never quite gone away particularly since it gave a student a chance to test out that sense of calling in a ‘real life’ situation. Faith is like that, you know – you really do believe that God is calling but you have difficulty ruling out that very human fear that it is your own voice you hear rather than his. Is this really what God wants me to do?
At any rate the prospect of working for a year in a church in Weston – that’s practically home territory – was too good a possibility to pass up. A quick trip upstairs to see Ross Gibson, who was responsible for handling such arrangements at the time, confirmed the opening and made the necessary arrangements for a preliminary chat with the minister who would supervise. There were things that had to be confirmed and changes that needed to be ratified and approvals had to be made.
Arising out of an extended relationship with North Park Presbyterian Church prior to being called to Weston Presbyterian, Dr. Ron Campbell was concerned about how to meet the pastoral needs of both congregations. He had an idea. Create a two-point charge under his own direction. Request a student intern from Knox College to take on the pastoral responsibilities at North Park under his direction from Weston, and with part-time help from a deaconness, two cooperative sessions, and the overall guiding of the Holy Spirit, great things could be accomplished.
His inquiry about a student intern came at an awkward time of the year, and initially it didn’t look likely that he would find a student. Along came Lincoln praying about preaching and a computer.
It was an answer to prayer – all the way around. Weston and North Park were able to meet their individual needs for ongoing pastoral care within their respective financial limitations. Ron Campbell, always an innovator, was able to work in a team ministry with a student minister and a deaconness. Lincoln was able to help contribute to the family income (addressing the computer need) and was required to preach on a regular basis. A full year in a pastoral situation helped him to compare his sense of calling with the task at hand. The Lord also had his purposes fulfilled. People were loved and cared for. Ministers and ministry students were loved and ministered to. Important lessons were learned and skills were developed. The gospel was preached.
The Lord has an amazing capacity for meeting each one of us as individuals and then bringing us together in some form of ministry in which he meets all of our needs and surpasses them. I am thankful to God for the opportunity of spending a full year in the internship program. It allowed me to test my sense of calling, to work on my skills in preaching, and to recognize my areas of weakness and how to overcome them.
Are there needs in your congregation that may be met through the internship program? Perhaps the Lord will use your church family in the training and nurturing of a student minister. Pray about it, think it through and if it seems viable, write to Knox College (or Presbyterian College or V.S.T.) and ask some questions. Who knows what prayers may be answered by your own involvement in the internship program – I never expected both preaching and computers – and so much more.