From the Classroom to the Pulpit | Micah Herbster’s Pastoral Studies Internship
Life after college isoften a frightening prospect for undergraduate students.Most young adults in college wonder how they’re going to be able to balancelifeafter collegewhen they’re struggling to get the next day’s assignmentsdone.ForMicah Herbster, hereceiveda taste of life after graduation when he participated in apastoralinternship this summer.
A Call to Ministry
A seniorpursuing a degreeinPastoral Studies,Micahfulfilled his internship requirement by working with pastors all over the country as he traveled with hismusic team, thePraisemen, over the summer. He used this opportunity toapplythe skills he hadlearned in the classroomin activeministry.He also had the chance to experience a pastor’s lifein a variety of different ways.
Micahknewhe wanted to go intoPastoralStudies since he was a senior in high school. Although hesitant at first,MicahultimatelyembracedGod’s calling for his life.
“The Lord really made it clear in my mind that I should prepare in the broadest sense so that I would be equipped for many avenues of ministry,” herecalls.
The Pastoral Studiesdegreeatԭprovided such an avenue forMicahso he couldprepare forseveral areas of ministry.Within the College of Bible and Church Ministries, he learned tostudy the Bible, how to interpret deep theological truths, practical waysin whichministry is accomplished, andmanyothervaluableministerial and theologicalskills. Micah knew, however, that applying these skills in ministry was what would bridge the gap between what he learned in the classroom andhow he ministered to people outside campus.
An Unusual Opportunity
As Micah prepared to go on tour this summer with thePraisemen, he saw an opportunity to apply his skillsinthe ministry field. After working with the BibleDepartment, he was able to work his internship into the tour.
Throughout the summer, thePraisementraveled across the country. This gave Micah the opportunity to speak with many different churches andwithdiverse groups of people.During his internship, Micahalsohad the chance to preach in every church theyvisited.
“I was privileged to share a challenge in about 75 different churches, schools and camps,” he says.
In addition, Micah spoke with several pastorsaround the country, and he found immense value in the knowledge they extended to him. “Most internships are done withone to threepastors,” he says. “I was privileged to interact withsixty-fivepastors and glean from hundreds of collective years of experience.I think[that was]my favorite aspect of my responsibility.”
He also says, “I had responsibilities in leading the team which entailed team meetings to refocus our hearts on ministry, tons of contact with pastors, special music and testimonies, and more.”
Overall, Micah remained thoroughly immersed in public ministry. He appreciated the special bonds he formed with those he met. He has even kept in contact with a number of the pastors he connected with on tour.
“Pastor MarkPoormanatinMinneapoliswas one of the very first pastors that we were with this summer,” Micah remembers. “His dedication to his ministry combined with his obvious appreciation and investment in the team made our time there very impactful.” Poorman is a member of MBU’s Board of Trustees.
From the Classroom to the Local Church
Micahsawthe concepts helearned in the classroom applied toreal-life ministry. “I got to see ministry modeled,” he says. “It takes what you learned in the classroom and puts in into the context of the local church.”
For Micah, his internship also helped him see the value of his studies. “It was neat for me to see the theology attached to the practice and getting to experience it for the full summer,” he recalls. “It roots what I’m learning with why I’m doing it.”
Theopportunity he received totravel also revealed another important truth:“You learn to adapt and learn to make disciples wherever God placed you,” he says. “Ministry is not about the location, but about the people you minister to today—the people who are right in front of you.It doesn’t matter where you are.”
In addition,through his internship,Micahdiscovered that classroom learningdidnot haveall the answers for real-life situations.
“I don’t think I’m leaving MBU with every answer, every theological understanding, or every specific detail of practical ministry philosophy,” Micah says. “I believe I am leaving the College of Bible andChurchMinistries department equipped with the tools to pursue a life of learning.”This is the goal of every academic unit at MBU for their students.
He discovered that classroom learning, while a necessary factor in ministry,needs to be paired with active ministryexperiences.At the same time,the knowledge he gained from his education proved to be important in seeing the world as Christ seesit.
“I’m[also]leaving MBU with a balanced ministry philosophy,” Micah explains. “We are taught to avoid extremes that ostracize others from our ministry influence.”
Whiletraveling, Micah experienceda varietyofculturesthroughoutthe United States and howeach oneinfluencedthechurches in that area. Most importantly, he learned that people are one of the most important factors of ministry.His internship helped him see the reality of ministering to lost people.
“It’s not all easy. Ministry is not perfect—you can’tputitina box,” he says. “Ministry is messy. People are messy, and that’s what pastoring is—hurting people helping hurting people.”
A Future in Ministry
Micah returned home at the end of the summer with knowledge and experience that cemented God’s calling for his future. After he graduates, Micah plans to move to Ringgold, Louisiana,to take a staff position at Southland Christian Camp. In addition, he plans to start a men’s ensemble and immerse himself in youth evangelism.
“Doing an internship helped me see the more challenging side of ministry,” Micah concludes. “It helped me to ground myself in reality.”
Concerning MBU and his Pastoral Studies education, he says, “I don’t believe that there is a better place in the world right now to pursue a theologically sound, philosophically balanced and practically focused education for a life of ministry.”
ԭ’s classroom learningcomplementsinternship opportunities that are often availableand easily accessible. This combination givesstudents like Micah the opportunity to receive a complete educationwithreal-world experience that fully equips them for life outside college, wherever God calls them to go.