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Pastor Intern Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Inland Hills Church

Children's Pastor

Chino, CA · On-site

Supervise and coordinate the work products of IHC Kids staff, intern(s), and volunteers. * Connect. Make children's ministry fun and approachable for regular attenders, while fostering an ever ...

Inland Hills Church

Children's Pastor

Chino, CA

Supervise and coordinate the work products of IHC Kids staff, intern(s), and volunteers. * Connect. Make children's ministry fun and approachable for regular attenders, while fostering an ever ...

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Pastor Intern information

What is a pastor intern?

Pastor Interns are individuals, often seminary students or recent graduates, who work under the supervision of experienced pastors to gain practical ministry experience. Their responsibilities may include assisting with worship services, teaching, pastoral care, and community outreach. The internship is designed to help them develop essential skills, discern their calling, and prepare for future leadership roles within the church. Pastor Internships typically last several months to a year and may be a requirement for certain ordination paths.

What are the responsibilities of a pastor intern?

As a Pastor Intern, you can expect to assist with a variety of pastoral duties, such as helping to plan and lead worship services, supporting youth and community programs, and visiting congregants in need. You'll often work closely with the lead pastor, administrative staff, and volunteer teams, learning how church operations function day-to-day. Collaboration and open communication are key, as you'll participate in meetings, contribute to ministry planning, and sometimes lead small groups or Bible studies. These responsibilities provide hands-on experience and mentorship, preparing you for future leadership roles in ministry.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a pastor intern?

To thrive as a Pastor Intern, you need a solid understanding of biblical teachings, basic pastoral care, and often a background in theological studies or seminary education. Familiarity with church management software, presentation tools, and social media platforms is typically beneficial. Strong interpersonal skills, empathy, and effective communication are essential soft skills for connecting with congregants and supporting church activities. These skills and qualities are vital for fostering spiritual growth, community engagement, and the smooth operation of ministry programs.

What is the difference between Pastor Intern vs Youth Minister?

AspectPastor InternYouth Minister
Required CredentialsTypically pursuing or holding a theological degree, some ministry experienceOften has similar educational background, may hold or be pursuing a degree in youth ministry or theology
Work EnvironmentChurch settings, assisting senior pastors, participating in sermons and pastoral dutiesChurch youth groups, planning youth activities, mentoring teenagers
Employer & Industry UsageUsed as a training role within churches, often part of seminary programsCommonly employed by churches to focus on youth engagement and programming

While both roles involve working within church environments and may require similar educational backgrounds, a Pastor Intern primarily assists senior pastors with overall pastoral duties, whereas a Youth Minister focuses specifically on youth programs and mentoring teenagers. The Pastor Intern role often serves as a stepping stone toward becoming a full pastor, while a Youth Minister specializes in youth engagement within the church community.

Do pastor interns get paid?

Whether pastor interns are paid depends on the organization and program; some internships are unpaid, especially for training or volunteer experience, while others offer stipends or hourly wages. Paid internships are more common in larger or denominational settings, and compensation may include housing, stipends, or other benefits. It is important to clarify the specific internship's compensation details before applying.

Does a pastor intern get paid?

Whether a pastor intern gets paid depends on the organization and program; some internships are unpaid, especially for training or volunteer experience, while others offer stipends or hourly wages. Paid internships are more common in larger churches or denominational programs that provide financial support to interns. It is important to clarify the compensation details before accepting an internship position.

What does a pastor intern do?

A pastor intern assists with church services, community outreach, and pastoral duties under the supervision of senior pastors. They often gain experience in sermon preparation, counseling, and church administration while developing their ministry skills. The role may require relevant theological training and a commitment to spiritual growth.

What are the most commonly searched types of Pastor jobs in California?

The most popular types of Pastor jobs in California are:

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For Pastor Intern jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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The top searched job categories for Pastor Intern jobs in California are:

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Pastor Intern jobs near you

Chinese Congregation Ministry Intern

Epicentre Church

Pasadena, CA • On-site

$18.57/hr

Part-time

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

Epicentre Church
Job Description - Chinese Congregation Ministry Intern
Position & Logistics
Position: Chinese Congregation Ministry Intern (Seminary Field Education Placement)
Start Date: September 1, 2026
Term: One year (September 1, 2026 - August 31, 2027), renewable. Coterminous with Logos Evangelical Seminary CPT authorization.
Hours: 12 hours/week; hourly non-exempt
Reports to: Chinese Congregation Pastor
Dotted Line to: Executive Pastor (employment, payroll, HR, and seminary reporting)
Supervises: None. May recruit and train AV volunteers.
Compensation & Benefits: $18.57/hour, adjusting annually with the City of Pasadena minimum wage; benefits per Employee Handbook. Part-time interns are not benefits-eligible; California paid sick leave accrues per law.
Work Format: Sundays on-site; remaining hours hybrid and scheduled with the Chinese Congregation Pastor
Working Language: Mandarin primary
Role Summary
Epicentre Church is a spiritual home base that exists to raise up beloved sons and daughters who love Jesus and His purposes, planting transforming churches among the people groups of Southern California and the nations. The Chinese Congregation Ministry Intern serves that call within our Chinese-speaking congregation by carrying the practical and pastoral load of Sunday worship, supporting outreach and care, and growing as a disciple-maker and preacher.
This is a seminary field education placement, and the role exists as much to form the intern as to staff the ministry. The Chinese Congregation Pastor serves as both supervisor and mentor, and the internship is structured around weekly supervision, real ministry responsibility, and honest feedback. Rooted in Epicentre's Identity, Mission and Vision, and shaped by our Ministry Philosophy (Relational and Equipping Values), the intern advances ministry primarily through Epicentre's Five Circles of Church Life, expressed within the language, relational rhythms, and pastoral culture of the Chinese congregation.
Scope and Boundaries
  • The intern is not asked to lead or co-lead a Lifegroup. Lifegroup participation is personal spiritual formation as a member of the church body, is not a job duty, and is not compensated or counted toward the 12 hours.
  • The intern is not required to attend the Thursday English all-staff meeting or HOPE Room during this term. The Chinese congregation team meeting is his primary team rhythm.
  • The intern carries no supervisory responsibility for staff or volunteers, though he is expected to recruit and train AV volunteers alongside him.
  • The intern is not ordained or licensed and does not carry ministerial classification. He is an hourly, non-exempt employee; all hours are recorded on a timesheet and any week projected to exceed 12 hours requires advance approval from the Chinese Congregation Pastor.

Desired Outcomes
1. Sunday Service Technical Ministry (50% - 6 hrs/week)
  • Service Operation
    • Set up, operate, and tear down audio, video, computer, camera, and livestream for the Chinese Sunday service.
    • Troubleshoot equipment issues in real time and escalate to the Tech Director when repair or purchase is required.
    • Ensure the technical environment serves worship rather than distracting from it.
  • Service Media
    • Prepare worship, sermon, and announcement slides accurately and on time, with correct Chinese typesetting.
    • Edit and post service video and clips as directed by the Chinese Congregation Pastor.
  • Volunteer Development
    • Recruit and train at least one AV volunteer per semester, so that the Chinese service is not dependent on a single person.

2. Outreach and Mission (17% - 2 hrs/week)
  • Alpha
    • Serve as a table host or session helper for the annual Alpha course, including preparation and follow-up with guests.
  • Visitation and Pastoral Care (探訪)
    • Participate in regular home and hospital visitation, normally accompanying or sent by the Chinese Congregation Pastor.
    • Follow up with first-time guests and newcomers to the Chinese congregation within one week.
  • Congregational Mission
    • Support Chinese congregation outreach events and, where appropriate, connect participants toward Epicentre's wider missions engagement and the Antioch Movement.

3. Administration (12% - 1.5 hrs/week)
  • Maintain accurate attendance, contact, and follow-up records in Planning Center.
  • Support communication for the Chinese congregation (announcements, WhatsApp/WeChat, printed bulletins).
  • Assist with logistics and set-up for congregational events, retreats, and fellowship meals.
  • Submit timesheets accurately and on schedule each pay period.

4. Discipleship and Spiritual Formation (12% - 1.5 hrs/week)
  • Meet weekly with the Chinese Congregation Pastor for supervision, spiritual formation, and ministry coaching.
  • Disciple one to two individuals in the Chinese congregation life-on-life over the course of the internship year.
  • Cultivate personal devotional life, prayer, and Scripture as the foundation of all ministry.
  • Use supervision and seminary formation to discern long-term ministry calling.

5. Preaching and Teaching (9% - 1 hr/week, annualized)
  • Preach in the Chinese Sunday service approximately once per quarter, not more than four times per year.
  • Submit sermon manuscript or full outline to the Chinese Congregation Pastor no later than the Tuesday before the preaching Sunday.
  • Receive and apply preaching feedback in supervision within the following week.
  • Assist with teaching or facilitation in Alpha, Lifegroup, or seasonal classes as assigned.

Anointed Fit: Ideal Profile
We are seeking someone who demonstrates the 5 C's:
  • Character: Christ-like maturity, humility, integrity, and teachability. Faithful in unseen and unglamorous work, and trustworthy with pastoral information.
  • Competency: Working proficiency with church AV systems (soundboard, presentation software, camera, livestream) and video editing. Growing preaching and teaching ability. Fluent written and spoken Mandarin.
  • Capacity: Healthy rhythms to sustain 12 hours/week alongside full-time seminary study without compromising either, with reliable Sunday availability.
  • Convictions: Alignment with Epicentre's Identity, Mission, Vision, Ministry Philosophy, the Five Circles, and Statement of Faith.
  • Chemistry: Collaborative and relationally warm with the Chinese congregation; able to receive correction and work well under close supervision.

Training & Education:
  • Current enrollment in good standing at Logos Evangelical Seminary, with valid work authorization for the full internship term.
  • Seminary coursework at Logos satisfies Epicentre's formation requirement for this role. Epicentre/Antioch Discipleship School and the Antioch US Leadership Track are encouraged but not required for this placement, in recognition of concurrent full-time seminary study and language of instruction.
  • Completion of Epicentre's safeguarding and abuse prevention training and background check prior to the first day of ministry.
  • Prior audio/visual or church technical experience strongly preferred.

Spiritual & Cultural Expectations
  • Actively participate in the Epicentre Chinese Sunday service, a Lifegroup, prayer gatherings, and the Chinese congregation team meeting.
  • Model a posture of prayer, servant leadership, humility, hospitality, and teachability.
  • Alignment with Epicentre's Relational and Equipping Values.
  • Live out and encourage others to engage in the Five Circles of Church Life.
  • Pursue personal growth and health (spiritual, emotional, physical, relational), including protected rest during seminary exam seasons.
  • Embrace alignment with the Antioch Movement, Word of the Lord, and Strategic Vision.
  • Participate in shared church-wide touchpoints where language support is available, including HR orientation at onboarding and the annual all-staff gathering.

Wins
  • The Chinese Sunday service runs technically without incident, and the congregation's attention stays on worship rather than on what is broken.
  • At least one additional AV volunteer is trained by the end of the internship year, reducing single-person dependency in the Chinese service.
  • Newcomers and visitation contacts are followed up consistently and report feeling known, cared for, and connected to the life of the congregation.
  • The intern preaches with growing confidence and biblical faithfulness, and the congregation is edified.
  • The intern completes the year clearer about calling, better formed as a disciple-maker, and with a strong field education report to Logos Evangelical Seminary.
  • The Chinese Congregation Pastor testifies that this role has increased his capacity to shepherd and lead because the practical load of Sunday is in good hands.

Statement of Faith
All staff must affirm and live in accordance with Epicentre's Statement of Faith: http://epicentre.org/statementoffaith
Employee Handbook
Staff must adhere to Epicentre's Employee Handbook, which outlines employment classification, benefits, conduct, and organizational expectations.

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