Offered An Internship

[JS116]

Hello fellow PBer's!

About a week ago I got offered an summer internship at New City Fellowship PCA!

I have never been to Tennessee or even heard of that church. Anybody ever visited? I seen the Worship videos and it's way different than the OPC's worship and it's a little different than the PCA church I visited last week. I'm not that used to worshipping by anything other than a Piano and Hymns, so these different styles of worship within the reformed camps are a new experience for me. I havent accepted the offer yet, I want to learn a little bit more about the church before I do so I can know exactly what I'm getting into.

Here's the website just in case you guys want to check it out: New City Fellowship PCA

Pray for me!

 

[Curt]

Shawn, a few questions.

What is the reason you might desire this (or any) internship? Will this internship meet those goals? I assume you applied for this position. If so, didn't you look at the church first?

 

[JS116]

Hello Curt,

I didn't apply the position yet, I was offered it by a guy named Wy Plummer who is in charge of the MNA African American ministries of the PCA. I would like to apply for it because it seems to be something that would be along the lines of what I hope to do in the future concerning ministry.My hope ares to be involved in one of the multi-ethnic churches within the reformed church, I see a lot of potential in those churches to bring reconciliation of God's people of all backgrounds through the gospel.

 

[Curt]

OK, thanks for the info. I hope that clarifying your own thoughts will help you to make the decision.

BTW, I preached at New City Fellowship in Nairobi, Kenya in January. That's also a multi-ethnic congregation, pastored by a Kenyan who graduated from Covenant Seminary.

 

[Scott1]

New City Fellowship has a good reputation and some vital mercy ministry going on. James Ward who wrote a version of "Rock of Ages" (hymn) is there. By reputation, there is a weakness in deacon polity and teaching that doctrine, maybe that will improve, by God's grace.

If this is something you are interested in, by all means investigate it. Go to your OPC elders and ask them to pray for and with you.

No one can know if leaving the covenant community where you are accountable, and serving to "intern" will help you glorifying God more. Only God knows that, but the top question to ask is, "how will this help me glorify God more?"

But this certainly sounds like an opportunity to thoroughly, prayerfully investigate.

 

[Romans922]

Best advice is talk to your elders. They might not even believe you are gifted to do what you are being asked or what you desire (in which case you need to submit to them with much patience). Stick close to your elders. Have you communicated to them your desire? If not, you need to ASAP. They need to guide you and mentor you. They also need to test your gifts.

 

[CalvinandHodges]

Hi:

New City Fellowship is located in TN. When I was there back in 1992 it was one of the worst worship experiences I had ever attended. The pastor of the church had no regard for the Regulative Principle of Worship. . As noted above James Ward is the music minister there, and he is very talented, but there is a gross overemphasis on music as a means of outreach to various ethnic backgrounds.

I would even question the idea that one should use the Sunday service as a means of "outreach" is it not for the worship of God?

That was my experience back in 1992 - it may have changed (hopefully it did) since then.

Blessings,

Rob

 

[rbcbob]

Hello Shawn. I agree with those who are saying that you should look to your elders for guidance in this. As a young Christian man their wisdom, counsel, and experience can be very beneficial to you at this pivotal point in your life. I will be praying for you and looking for your updates!

 

[sgemmen9]

Hello,

I was surprised to read your post and find that I have actually been there. I went there 3 years in a row as a volunteer youth minister for an OP Church. I thought it was cool. It was cross-cultural and contextual to the area (but I am probably not as strict on the regulative principle as others here). It did well with the pastor leading it since he was about 19. It also worked with an organization called Hope for the Inner City. They do training with Bible Clubs in the projects. Some students from Covenant College started the ministry a number of years ago and then the organization began (try googling it if you are curious about it). The people were friendly and welcoming to me. I thought it was definately a unique experience for the PCA. There are not many churches like that. The church is rather large for a PCA church and I do know many people who have attended, done internships, or have gone off to seminary after growing up in that church. It is a pretty solid place to be in my opinion.

 

[Jack K]

You need to talk with others who know you and your gifts and, if you still think ministry in a multi-ethnic church may be right for you, get over to that church and pay them a visit.

Aside from that, let me offer a general and broad observation about Bible-believing Reformed/Presbyterian churches in this country. The majority of those that truly put a premium on being multi-ethnic are not, by and large, the same as those that strongly value a traditional piano-and-hymns style. Nor do they tend to be the ones that most strongly value a conservative allegiance to historically Reformed positions on regulated worship, Sabbath observance, women's roles in the church, etc.—the "old school" Reformed distinctives you see often advocated on this board.

So if you're committed to both (an eagerly multi-ethnic ministry and a church on the traditional end of the Bible-believing Reformed spectrum), that's going to be a tough combination to find. It may not be impossible. But I suspect it'll be difficult.

I can think of several PCA churches that might be eager to have an intern who's interested in African American ministries and gifted that way. They are strong, gospel-preaching churches. But none are in the "old school" PCA camp. There may be people on this board who know of some that are (and I can think of no better place to ask), but I suspect there won't be many such churches. Both the "new school" and "old school" camps in the PCA have their failings, and one struggle of the "old school" churches is that they tend to be more culturally insulated and less diverse—and more okay with that. That's a broad generalization not meant to criticize anyone in particular, but I think you'll find it to be largely true.

It sounds like you're still somewhat working through what things are most important to you in a church and what sorts of churches and ministries are the right fit for you—and still learning the PCA landscape. My gut reaction to the opportunity you have in Tennessee is that it may help you with these things. That's part of what internships are for.

 

[jwithnell]

For the internship, I echo the idea of seeking Godly counsel. As far as style of worship: there's nothing sacred about the piano. The RPW can be followed using different styles. I imagine many of the services in the Presbyterian churches of South Korea sound considerably different from ones here in Virginia.

Where contemporary styles are concerned, I'd want to know if the music supports congregational singing or if it is hum-alongs of the latest Christian pop. The "Death has Ended" video on their site shows a style that goes way back here in the US: where repetition, or phrases sung and then repeated by the congregation, promotes intense involvement for everyone. What I'd want to know: was this song part of a worship service, or a separate concert? I'd have serious concerns if this is part of a service, not because of the music, but due to the sale of CDs, that there's no sign of a pulpit (preaching the word should be central!) and the promotion of certain performers -- "let's hear it for the drummer!"