My Internship Experience at the IRD

[Editor’s note: This is the third in a series of brief reflections authored by current and past interns about their experience at the Institute on Religion & Democracy. For more information about IRD’s internship program, click here.]

After graduation from Wheaton College, I knew I wanted to work in the field of political theology. While participating in the Falls Church Fellows program, I am grateful to have found this work experience at the IRD offering a glimpse into what ecumenism (the relationship between churches within “the household of God”) looks like, and a glance into the Christian denominations and theological traditions I was previously unfamiliar with.

Beyond the perks of working in a quirky Christian office, I enjoy the privileges of authoring articles for the top international church gossip blog, Juicy Ecumenism. My first published article describing my college experience, Wheaton to Anglican Pipeline: Why are Young People Turning Anglican? had thousands of reads and garnered positive responses sharing similar stories.

Two of the most notable praises I received came from a past publisher of World magazine who authored a piece in response and commended his readers to view my article. What a privilege! Likewise, an Episcopal priest also read my piece and authored a similar memoir about her experience at Wheaton College. It is fulfilling to have my work spread broadly to a wide readership.

This same piece was also published in IRD’s print magazine of Faith and Freedom. It was gratifying to see my words make it into a published print magazine, something I was pleasantly surprised to experience!

Beyond my work writing for Juicy Ecumenism, I have also enjoyed witnessing the inworking of a small non-profit. From administrative tasks like donation entry to sending off mailings that our donors receive, I experience both the fame of my writing read, and the behind-the-scenes of information gathering and content production.

I am very grateful for the wide range of experience my internship at the IRD has given me, and that I get to play a contributing role in political theology at a Christian think-tank in Washington D.C.

Sarah Carter is a participant in The Falls Church Anglican Fellows program and a recent graduate of Wheaton College in political science. She is most interested in Kuyperian political theology and the intersections of faith and public life in the United States. She has extensive experience in campus ministry, pro-life activism, and is interning with the Institute on Religion & Democracy for the 2024-25 academic year. Read more of Sarah’s writing here.