The Ministry Playbook

Rita’s journey reflects the classic CSM rhythm. Her region’s one-year CMA internship and structured training gave her a strong foundation before starting her first CSM year. She built strong foundational skills, strengthened MPD over the summer, and entered year two ready for more responsibility. By ONS, she felt prepared and encouraged. With her region’s new staff training program completed, SHIFT and 3DT felt timely and compelling. The two-year window of those trainings allowed her the opportunity to even staff a GP one summer. Overall, the Pathway gave her clear next steps without overwhelming her. For her, it was supportive, well-paced, and appropriately challenging, helping her grow with confidence.

Gretta’s timeline required flexibility based on both needs and interests. Her MPD process took longer than expected, and as an eager learner, she wanted to finish everything early. But her supervisor wisely protected her time on campus. Together they kept the spirit of the Pathway while adjusting its pace, tailored to her gifts, enthusiasm, and the realities of GFM ministry. Gretta completed 3DT earlier than typical because it matched her energy and readiness, but then went to ONS (and subsequently SHIFT) later. GFM’s robust new staff training program also served her well, covering the nationally recommended topics with ease.

Patty’s part-time schedule naturally stretched out her Pathway, and the slower pace ultimately became a gift. Some development pieces, like the sexuality course, happened even earlier, giving her the needed framework for real-time situations. She attended ONS in her fourth year, pairing it with SHIFT the same summer to minimize disruption. 3DT required extra time (after her 7th year), but her supervisor and RD supported the pace. While she lamented not getting some training earlier, she maintained a great attitude and appreciated the structure the Pathway provided even when her timing differed from peers.

To prioritize time on campus, Fred had to carefully balance FM meetings and conferences with his region’s intern training program, all in close coordination with his supervisor. Together they used the Pathway to map milestones and determine what to prioritize when. Learning Weeks helped him complete required training with minimal campus disruption. Though he often landed on the later end of timelines (he finished sexuality training in the airport on the way to ONS!) he still met all expectations. Fred ended grateful for the Pathway’s structure and flexibility, and his journey shows how strong coordination between supervisor, regional rhythms, and national offerings enables steady progress even with a demanding schedule.

With no regional training program in place, Sam relied heavily on the Ministry Playbook, plus his AD using “off-the-shelf” components of the nationally recommended topics. He also intentionally made strong use of online offerings through Catalyze, which gave him steady support even when local resources were limited. While most of his training was online, he chose to attend 3DT in person to gain relational touchpoints and learn alongside other staff. That decision strengthened his sense of connection to InterVarsity’s broader community as he re-connected with friends whom he had met at MPD 102 and ONS, many who were on the same schedule and pace in the Pathway.