FAQ
Who is the average applicant?
Our applicants are typically individuals that have recently graduated with their college or seminary degree, have some ministry experience or work on a church staff, have a demonstrated potential for leadership, and are seeking to become a ministry leader, church planter, or multi-site campus pastor.
LAUNCH Is suited for
- Typically within 12 months of planting a church or starting a multi-site campus
- Are Re-Launching their church and want to learn most current and effective strategies.
- Have been formally assessed for church planting or multi-site campus leadership- This is not a requirement
- Are sponsored by a church, network, or denomination- This is not a requirement
ELEVATE
- Current or former church staff members or those seeking to plant a church or lead a multi-site campus.
- Have a college or seminary degree.
ACCELERATE
- Those who are called to staff leadership at a church plant, multi-site campus, or existing church ministries.
- Have a college or seminary degree
DISCOVER
- Current college students or recent college graduates
What are the minimum requirements to be considered for the program?
ELEVATE and ACCELERATE: We require that all applicants have a college degree and some prior ministry experience. We are looking for individuals who have been called to ministry leadership, planting a church, or becoming a multi-site campus pastor. However, if you feel you have a unique situation, contact us and we will discuss it.
DISCOVER: We require applicants be currently enrolled in college or university or be a recent graduate.
Where will I live?
Participants will be responsible for making their own housing arrangements for the duration of the program.
"The Ranch" option:
ACCELERATE Apprentices or ELEVATE Residents who have been accepted into the program have the option of living at our Rancho Capistrano campus.
Unique to the Saddleback Church Leadership Academy is the community setting of Saddleback Rancho Capistrano, or "The Ranch" as is it is affectionately known. ACCELERATE Apprentices or ELEVATE Residents who have been accepted into the program have the option of living at our beautiful lakeside Ranch Capistrano campus. For those ELEVATE Residents and ACCELERATE Apprentices that need housing, the "Ranch" provides a wonderful place to live and learn during their time in the program. Due to the size of the rooms, the Ranch is designed for single or married couples without children. The Ranch is not a suitable option for families. ( The Ranch option is not available for DISCOVER College Internship participants.)
Ranch Costs:
Costs are kept as low as possible, but do include meals. "The Ranch" is a low cost option for those single or married couples without children who need Orange County housing while participating in the program.
- Married couples without children $1000 per room includes rent and meals.
- Single (double occupancy)- $500 dollars per room includes rent and meals.
Where will I spend my time?
You will be spending the majority of your time developing your leadership skills in the context of your leadership goals.
- ELEVATE Residents will spend their time at one of our multi-site regional campuses
- ACCELERATE Apprentices will spend their time with their ministry teams at our Lake Forest Campus
- DISCOVER Interns will spend their time with their teams at our Lake Forest Campus
Is it possible to participate in ELEVATE or ACCELERATE for less than 1 year?
ELEVATE requires a year committment.
ACCELERATE may allow, under certain conditions, participants who cannnot complete the entire year.
Who will supervise me?
You will be supervised by two primary people: the Intern Director and the Team Pastor of the team you choose to serve on.
Can I work and be an intern at the same time?
No. Our full-time leadership development program offers many things to you (mentoring, coaching, skill training, strategic thinking, collaborative learning, etc.) that will help shape and prepare you for ministry or church leadership. The internship requires a 40-50 hour work week, which would make it unmanageable for you to take on a part-time job. We want you to have the energy, time, and focus to make the most out of your internship as well as balance the other top priorities in your life.
When can I start?
ELEVATE and ACCELERATE tracks begin each September, January, and May.
DISCOVER internship tracks occur each: Summer (May-August), Fall (September-December), and Spring (January –April)
What is the admission process?
LAUNCH
ELEVATE
- Application Review
- Interview with Director of Enlistment
- Check of References
- Interview with a team of campus pastors
- Theological Interview
ACCELERATE
- Survey
- Application Review
- Interview with Director of Enlistment
- Check of References
- Interview with Ministry Team
- Skills/Training Audition or Check ( if applicable )
- Theological Interview
DISCOVER
- Application Review
- Interview with Intern Coordinator
- Check of References
- Theological Interview
Does Saddleback give benefits to participants?
Saddleback currently does not offer any benefits to interns at this time. However, we have developed strategies to help interns attain affordable benefits and we partner with our interns to make sure they are covered. Participants need to have health insurance.
Will I be paid as a Resident or Apprentice?
No. We strongly believe that if God has called you to this program, He will provide the way for you. Interns are fully responsible to raise their own support during the program. One of the prerequisites to leadership is being able to cast a vision and have others buy-in and support it. That begins with raising support from others to meet all your living expenses for the duration of the program.
Is a married person eligible for ACCELERATE or ELEVATE?
Yes. Your spouse will need to complete a Spouse Reference Form and have a Theological interview with a pastor as part of the application process.
What if I have children?
You are still eligible for the program. (Note: Participants with children are not permitted to live on "The Ranch" as the living facilities are not appropriate for families with children.)
Where is Saddleback?
We are located in Lake Forest, California, a suburb of South Orange County. We are in between Los Angeles and San Diego.
Do I need a car?
Yes. Saddleback Church is one church in many locations. Participants could be assigned to various campuses throughout Southern California and work differing schedules based on each ministry's unique needs. Each participant is responsible for providing for his or her own transportation.
A car is a requirement.
Do I need a laptop?
Yes. Each participant is required to have a laptop computer to use during the duration of the program.
Who is Saddleback affiliated with?
Saddleback Church is a member of the Southern Baptist Convention.
Are there any job guarantees after the program?
There is
NO guarantee of employment at Saddleback or outside of Saddleback after your program.
Can I still have an internship if I don't agree with Saddleback's theology?
We require that all of our participants pass a Theological Interview given by one of our pastors. Beyond the basic Christian beliefs, you will not have to hold the same denominational values as the Southern Baptist Convention, but we ask that you will respectfully comply with these denominational values during your internship with us.
Expectations
ELEVATE Residents and
ACCELERATE Apprentices will be required to complete all 4 of our CLASS (Christian Life and Service Seminars) 101- Membership, 201- Maturity, 301- Ministry, and 401- Mission during their 1-year in the program.
What are the standards that participants must abide by?
Saddleback has outlined standards for living above reproach for all Saddleback staff. Program participants will be held to the same standards. We are required to sign a covenant including the following commitments:
- Commit to refrain from activities that could cause a new believer to stumble such as: abusing prescription drugs, consuming alcohol, tobacco or illegal drugs, or engaging in gambling of any type
- Commit to sexual purity, and commit only to dating another believer (if single).
- Commit to living above reproach: this includes completely avoiding situations that may lead to temptation, or may appear compromising.
Some examples that the staff has outlined are:
Saddleback staff may not:
- Ride alone with a married person of the opposite sex.*
- Go to lunch alone with a married person of the opposite sex.*
- Kiss or show questionable affection with a married person of the opposite sex.*
- Visit anyone of the opposite sex alone at home.*
- Counsel the opposite sex alone.*
- Discuss marriage or sexual problems with the opposite sex.*
- Have a member of the opposite sex spend the night.*
* Excluding family members of the opposite sex.
Will I be guaranteed to start the month that I apply for if I get my application in on time?
In some cases the process takes more than 5 months as the result of uncontrollable variables. You are not guaranteed a start date. If the process isn't complete by the starting month you applied for, you will be given the option of deferring to the next starting period, or withdrawing from the process.
Who pays for the cost of my visit to Saddleback?
If you decide to visit Saddleback Church, you are responsible for the cost of your visit, whether or not we accept you into the program. We would encourage you to fly into John Wayne/Orange County Airport (SNA), because LAX is more than an hour away. Other near-by airports include Ontario and Long Beach.