Pastoral Ministry Internship

About Us

Our Pastoral Ministry Internship Program is offered to young men who are currently enrolled in or have recently completed a degree program at a Bible college.  Zion Church is an Independent Bible Church with a Lutheran and Reformed theological history.  Founded in 1923 by German Lutheran immigrants. Today, Zion Church has a membership of around 250, and an average attendance 160 in Sunday worship. Worland is a community of 4800, located in the Big Horn Basin with beautiful scenery all around.  The Rev. James Byers will be the supervisor for the Intern. Pastor Byers has 29 years of experience  in congregational ministry.

There are two Ministry Internships offered by Zion Church.

1. Our Academic Year Program is 8 months long, from September 1 to May 1.
   • The Academic Year Program includes four weeks of vacation to allow the Intern to visit family or friends, and/or to make visits for college or seminary study purposes.
   • One week of vacation may be used for the week of Thanksgiving and two weeks of vacation may be used for Christmas. The fourth week can be used during Spring Break. The weeks that are taken are flexible and will be taken in consultation with the Senior Pastor.
2. Our Summer Program is 9 weeks long, from June 1 to July 31.
   • No vacation time will be offered for the summer. Exceptions may be made for family emergencies.
   • There will be personal days built in for exploring beautiful Wyoming.
   • The internship is offered to qualified candidates who have discerned a call to ministry and who are pursuing a degree or have recently completed a degree at a Bible college.

Ordinarily the student will have completed at least one year of Bible college. The intern could be a Bible college graduate who is preparing for seminary, or who desires an internship prior to seeking a full-time call in the ministry.  The purpose of the program is to help students grow spiritually, hone their gifts and skills and clarify their sense of call while preaching, teaching, and serving in the local church.

The internship is designed so that students are given a well-rounded experience in the variety of pastoral duties and ministries of the local congregation. It is also designed so that the intern receives a substantial amount of relational and spiritual support from the Senior Pastor as well as members of the congregation. To that end the Intern will have a Pastoral Intern Team made up of congregants who will meet with the Intern to pray with and for him, as well as to offer feedback and support on their work. The Intern will also work closely with the Senior Pastor throughout each week of the internship.

The internship is designed to be similar to the role of an Associate Pastor position. While some duties and opportunities are established; the Senior Pastor will also work with the intern to allow some flexibility in responsibilities based upon spiritual gifts and the intern’s sense of call.  Zion Church will place priority on filling the position of the Academic Year Intern, as it offers many more opportunities for the Intern to experience the full activities of our church.

Ministry Duties and Opportunities

Academic Year Intern (September 1 – May 1)

1. Some opportunities that the Academic Year Ministry Intern WILL have:
   • Preaching 4 to 6 times.
   • Teaching a weekly young adult Sunday School class.
   • Assist with various parts / liturgy of the Sunday worship service.
   • Assisting with the middle school and high school youth ministry.
   • Pastoral visits.
   • Attend and participate in weekly staff meetings.
   • Attend monthly Consistory (church board) meetings.
2. Some opportunities that the Academic Year Ministry Intern MAY have:
   1. Assist the Senior Pastor with a wedding.
   2. Assist the Senior Pastor with a funeral.
   3. Assist with worship services at juvenile correction facility.

Summer Intern Camp (June 1 — July 31)

1. Some opportunities that the Summer Ministry Intern WILL have:
   • Preaching at least once, and possibly twice.
   • Teaching an adult Sunday School class at least one Sunday, and possibly two Sundays.
   • Assist with various parts / liturgy of the Sunday worship service.
   • Assist with Vacation Bible School in area of interest.
   • Go on a youth ministry trip with middle school and high school youth.
   • Pastoral visits.
   • Attend and participate in weekly staff meetings.
   • Attend 2 Consistory (church board) meetings.
2. Some opportunities that the Ministry Intern MAY have:
   1. Assist the Senior Pastor with a wedding.
   2. Assist the Senior Pastor with a funeral.

The Pastoral Intern will be provided:

• Financial Terms and Living Situation
  • A monthly stipend of $2000.
  • Place of residence with furnishings.
  • Financial assistance to help cover the expenses associated with moving expenses to and from Worland at the beginning and completion of the internship. (Please note, that th assistance will not cover all the expenses.)

The Pastoral Intern will be responsible for:

• Their food, recreational expenses and transportation expenses during their internship.
• Providing their own vehicle.
• More details on the stipend, living situation and moving expenses will be provided to applicants after their application has been received and prior to the interview.
• Applicants will be interviewed by the Senior Pastor and the Pastoral Intern Team.

Other Pertinent Information

The Rev. James Byers will be the supervisor for the intern.  Pastor Byers has 29 years of experience in congregational ministry.

To Apply:

For questions and Application Form,  please email Rev. Byers at revbyers@hotmail.com  Recommendations from one college professor, as well as a recommendation from the applicant’s home church will be required along with the general application. A background check is also required. Note deadline for applications is April 20, 2026