Last month the vestry gave final approval for the Johnson Intern Program to continue operations for 2003-2004. The Johnson Intern board has worked diligently over the past 10 months exploring different options for expanding the current program, and as a result of those efforts there are several anticipated changes in the program for the upcoming year. Over the next several months I want to take an opportunity to update the parish about the impact these changes have on the existing program.

An interview committee, made up of representatives from staff, Johnson Intern Program Board of Directors, mentors, and clergy selected five potential interns from a gifted and talented pool of applicants and invited them to participate in the 2003-2004 program year. The discernment process required individual committee members to a considerable time commitment of reading applications, interviewing candidates, and listening to one another. Committee discussions focused not only upon the individual applications but also on the discernment process itself. Discernment is a much different process than other decision-making models; it requires an individual commitment of listening to a variety of different opinions, thereby discerning God's voice through the singular community voice.

Throughout the week of meeting together and being intentional about discerning the best choice of candidates for the program, the committee grew to a consensus on which applicants were best suited for the Johnson Intern community and the larger Chapel of the Cross community. The interview committee chose candidates on the merit of an individual's application and interview and not as a competition between candidates. In the end committee members were unanimous in their agreement that although the process is long and sometimes arduous it is also extremely rewarding.

Invited applicants had until April 18th to discern their intention to accept the invitation and participate in the program. If one or more of the individuals decline the invitation the interview committee will continue accepting incoming applications and interview candidates until the discernment process is complete and four or five interns are selected. This rolling application process allows the flexibility needed to complete the discernment process.

In next month's edition of Cross Roads, I will report on the progress we have made in our community partnership endeavors.

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