House Famous Internship Document

PURPOSE OF INTERNSHIP: for people interested in joining intentional Christian community to determine (through prayer and experience) if a long term commitment to intentional community is part of God’s direction for their lives. For members of the House Famous to determine if the intern is meant to be a part of our community, through prayer and seeking guidance from God; a time to build into and challenge the spiritual and relational growth of the intern. A time of personal spiritual exploration, learning and experiments with faith in action through practical daily life and service in the House and larger community.
TWO STAGE INTERNSHIP:
PRE-INTERNSHIP: Future Interns can live in the house (if necessary) for up to a maximum 6 weeks before starting their internship: the internship will begin when the following Requirements are met. (Consideration for individual circumstances can be dealt with on a case by case basis).
Requirements for starting an internship include:
a) Your personal finances are in order (ie. You have some form of income, preferably other than parent’s support, that will cover your rent amount. Due to the Kingston job market being tough to get into, we suggest looking for work prior to moving in.)
b) You have begun volunteering weekly at a downtown social service.
c) You have a church community that you regularly attend and that you are actively involved in.
d) You have made attempts to end (or at least address) any addictions in your life.
When these Requirements are met, the Internship Stage One can begin.
STAGE ONE: (3 months) During this time, interns will:
a) Participate in the life of the House fully (chores, pursuing deeper relationships , striving to live out the House Commitments, etc.)
b) Share an “Intern Moment” during the weekly check-in meeting: this moment is a chance to share what they are learning (and their opinions) about Intern readings, from Scripture, from volunteering, to share their positive and negative observations about the House, and consequently, how God is using the internship period to change them. This will be for the benefit of the intern to take time to reflect on what God is doing and what they are learning, and for the benefit of the house, to see how best to support the intern and make changes to the functioning of the House where needed.
c) Stage One of the internship is primarily a learning time, a time to get settled in and decide if a longer term commitment is possible, beneficial and in God’s direction for their life. It also provides the House members with a chance to determine if the intern should stay (if they are trying to get the most out of the experience, if they are meant to be a part of the community). Stage One will have a strong emphasis on reflection and being observational.
d) Stage One Interns will read and reflect on one of the following books: “Irresistible Revolution”, “Inhabiting the Church” “New Monasticism” “The 12 Marks of the New Monasticism.”
e) Stage One Interns will participate in meetings, and will have a voice, but will not have a vote. Stage One interns will not participate in incoming interns’ interviews.
f) Member Meetings: Interns who feel ready to commit to Stage Two should seek out Members and meet with them individually; these meetings would allow the intern to ask the member how they think their internship is going, ask for areas to improve on, get any feedback, and gives both people a chance to speak specifically into each other’s lives.
g) At this point, the members and the intern will seek God’s will to determine if the intern should stay in the House and move on to Stage Two, or if their direction lies elsewhere.


STAGE TWO: (3 months) During this time, interns will:
a) “Tell your story”: at the beginning of Stage Two, interns will write out and share their story of faith, how God has brought them to this point in their lives. This is to further share our lives in community and reflect on God’s direction further in your life.
b) Enter a time of taking on more responsibility and leadership in the House. This is a time for learning about how to lead the community. For instance, this may include facilitating the weekly meetings, leading prayer meetings, or being responsible for special tasks (like dealing with our landlord, etc.) Members will be intentional in preparing and teaching interns how to take on various tasks.
c) The emphasis on being reflective will continue, but will be paired with taking responsibility for the functioning of the House, and growth through practical involvement in maintaining the intentionality of the community. House members will continue to encourage the intern and build them up by sharing their stories, but we want to ensure that interns are at this stage beginning to show initiative and are not dependent on specific or more seasoned members of the House for their involvement in the House.
d) This Stage of the internship will also be a time to develop ideas and opinions about the House; each individual’s opinions matter, as the future of the House will be shaped by individuals. Interns will be assured that their opinions matter, and will be encouraged to develop and share their opinions openly. These contributions are essential to maintaining a healthy communication of values in the House.
e) Whenever possible, Stage Two interns will try to go to a New Monastic School for Conversion elsewhere (especially if other House members are going.) The purpose of this is to get a larger picture of and learn about New Monasticism, and to see other intentional communities at work.
f) Stage Two Interns will read and reflect on one of the following books: “Irresistible Revolution”, “Inhabiting the Church” “New Monasticism” “The 12 Marks of the New Monasticism.”
g) At the end of Stage Two, interns and House members will decide if the intern should become a House Member. AT THIS POINT, THE INTERN WOULD NEED TO BE ABLE TO MAKE A COMMITMENT OF 18 MONTHS of MEMBERSHIP, or decide to leave the House. This is to encourage stability and challenge the intern to a longer-term commitment to living in intentional community. Interns who decide to leave the House would be encouraged to leave promptly so as to make room for other possible future interns. We hope to maintain good relationships with interns who decide to leave, but cannot serve as a boarding house or cheap place to live for people who are not committed.
h) Member Meetings: Interns who are ready to make the 18 month commitment should seek out Members and meet with them individually; these meetings would allow the intern to ask the member how they think their internship is going, ask for areas to improve on, get any feedback, and provides a chance to speak more specifically into each other’s lives.
i) For Interns who are accepted as Members, the 18 month commitment would begin, and a Final Internship Report would be given, with an overview of highlights, things learned, hopes for the future, etc.