To become a skilled workman in an ordinary trade, one is required to spend a stipulated amount of time as an apprentice. The apprenticeship is the essential part of the training given, and determines the value of the workman's labor and the demand made for his services. Classroom training and preparation for the ministry may be ever so perfect, but it cannot take the place of actual field experience. It is in the field, during the internship period, that the real test of one's pastoral and evangelistic ability, development, and fitness is determined.
The Spirit of prophecy gives definite counsel to the effect that the young ministerial intern should at first be associated with an older, experienced minister.
"The Lord has not called young men to work among the churches. They are not called to speak to an audience that does not need their immature labors."—Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 415.
"Efforts must be made to fit young men for the work. They must come to the front, to lift burdens and responsibilities."—Ibid., vol. 5, p. 585.
"Let young men of ability connect with experienced laborers in the great harvest-field. . . . Let them seek help through prayer and the diligent study of God's word."—Ibid., vol. 6, p. 415.
"By associating with our ministers and experienced workers in city work, they will gain the best kind of training."—Ibid., vol. 9, p. 119.
The excellent results that follow when this counsel is carried out in training young men are clearly illustrated in the content of the following letter written by a conference president:
"I can see a great improvement in Brother ________ CA ministerial intern] since he has been associated with Brother ________ [an experienced and successful pastor and city evangelist]. The fires of evangelism are burning in his breast. He has caught the vision, and I am certain he will make a good worker. All our interns need such association. It is not fair to them to put them out by themselves. They need the experience that they can gain in no other way than by being with a successful evangelist. In this way they catch the vision and learn how to apply themselves.
After securing the training that comes by association with ministers and workers of experience in city work, an intern will be equally prepared to conduct rural efforts successfully. Getting a training in a more difficult field will enable one to do a larger work in conducting rural efforts. Field training in evangelistic techniques and procedures is highly important and as necessary for ultimate success and development as classroom instruction, and follows in logical sequence.
