Guidance Committee Requirements

Each SPM experience requires a guidance committee. Site supervisors are encouraged to initiate the selection and formation of the group. The group must meet the following requirements:

  • 3-8 members of the congregation/institution who are familiar with the history, traditions, and expectations of the site
  • Individuals can be selected from church/institution leadership including existing committees, session members, educators, etc. or from the general membership
  • If an SPM student is serving as an employed fulltime or student pastor of the SPM site, it is recommended that the student build a guidance committee that includes at least some members from outside of the congregation being served. Leadership of nearby churches/institutions can be called upon to serve in this case.
  • The guidance committee should appoint a chairperson. The chairperson’s duties include:
    • Convene regular committee meetings (minimum of two per term)
    • Consult with the site supervisor about duties and expectations
    • Coordinate opportunities for formative feedback and the summative final evaluation 
Guidance Committee Expectations

Guidance committees are expected to join the site supervisor in the support, observation, reflection, feedback, and assessment for the SPM student. How this looks in practice may be very different for different churches/institutions.

One of the primary expectations for guidance committees is to meet with their SPM student at least twice during a term. The purpose of these meetings is to provide opportunities for feedback and evaluation. Ideally, meetings are scheduled shortly after an opportunity for the guidance committee to observe the SPM student practicing ministry to provide formative feedback. Examples of timely formative feedback meetings include convening a meeting after a worship service in which the SPM leads part of the service or preaches a message to the congregation; or after attending an adult education class led by the student; or after visiting with home-bound congregants. These meetings can be reflective opportunities to discuss what took place.

One of the other essential functions of a guidance committee is to provide a formal summative evaluation of the student’s progress and growth toward their learning goals for the SPM experience. An evaluation form is provided, and the committee chair should coordinate the committee’s evaluation feedback into a single response. This evaluation will be shared with the student.

One additional role that guidance committees need to be aware of is the role of acting as a safety net for the student and/or the site supervisor should any issues arise in the course of the internship. Guidance committee chairpersons should be prepared to listen to concerns of the student intern if they experience situations that could be considered inappropriate between a supervisor and the student. Examples might include negative or gossip talk about the congregation or any members, inappropriate advice for situations, avoidance such as missed meetings or required forms, or even in very rare situations, harassment or ill-treatment by the supervisor. In events such as these, it is crucially important for a guidance  committee or guidance committee chairperson to be prepared to communicate with UDTS, the student’s judicatory, and the site supervisor to ensure a safe and secure internship experience for the student.

Resources and Support

The function of a guidance committee may differ significantly from site to site or internship to internship. The site supervisor is expected to clearly communicate expectations of the guidance committee for the specific context. This includes guiding the committee to specific opportunities to observe the student in ministry, providing tools to provide useful feedback, and encouraging productive and effective evaluation information.


Last modified: Monday, June 3, 2024, 9:43 AM