Applications are open for our Diocesan Internship Scheme for 2025/26, and we want to encourage a whole range of people to apply.
The Leeds Diocesan Internship Scheme is an opportunity to explore more of what it means to be a lifelong disciple of Christ and to serve His church.
It is a year where people from all kinds of backgrounds are equipped for the kingdom of God in life, work, and leadership.
The scheme runs from September to July and involves practical placements in churches, weekly training, and being part of a Christian community of interns.
We particularly want to encourage interest from people who might not traditionally be thought of as interns.
The Revd Simon Walters, Diocesan Intern Lead, said: “I'd really like to encourage you to know that God is calling a whole diverse range of different people to be interns.
“Classically we think of interns as maybe university graduates in their early 20s who have just finished and have some free time. But in fact, there's a whole bunch of other people whom God is calling.”
“We have people who’ve encountered the presence of God and whose response is to say, ‘I want to know more about him.’ We have people at particular transition points in their lives trying to work out what it is for them to use their gifts in serving the church.”
“I'm so passionate about internships because I was an intern myself 12 years ago. A church took a chance on me, and it was an investment, I think, in the church of the future.”
“So, will you join me? Will you join us as the Intern Team in thinking and praying, are there people in my church community who might not look like your standard or typical intern, but whom this could be a good thing?”
Watch a video from Revd Simon below, inviting people to get involved in our Internship Scheme.
Our priority is to help interns grow in relationship with God.
Internships involve leadership experience; training in biblical studies, theology and leadership; learning how to develop a rule of life; opportunity to develop transferable work skills; and time to consider God’s calling for the future.
Interns spend one day a week gathering as a learning community for worship and teaching, and two or three days a week serving in a church.
To find out more about our scheme, and what support we can offer if you want to be an intern, or know someone who might want to be, please click here.