Course information
1. Nomenclature
| 1.1 Name of the qualification | Graduate Certificate in Christian Ministry and Theology |
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| 1.2 Nominal duration of the course |
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2. Vocational or educational outcomes
| 2.1 Outcomes of the course | This course is intended to equip individuals for autonomous and senior leadership in church groups, parachurch organisations and other ministry contexts in accordance with the values, procedures and practice guidelines of those contexts. The course is also designed to train workers from other industries in Christian ministry and theology as it applies to their industry.
The course also provides a pathway for further learning by progression to higher level of qualifications developed in conjunction with this Course, and in particular, to the Graduate Diploma of Christian Ministry and Theology. Occupational titles may include:
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| 2.2 Course description | This course is designed to prepare individuals for senior Christian ministry roles including as ordained ministers, pastors and Bible College lecturers and managers or directors of parachurch organisations. Work in these roles may also require commissioning from a recognised religious institution. The course is also designed to train workers from other industries in Christian ministry and theology as it applies to their industry.
The course will provide participants with the ability to analyse, synthesise and communicate complex Christian beliefs; skills to provide specialised guidance and leadership in a broad range of contexts; and advanced skills at biblical and theological interpretation. |
3. Course outcomes
| 3.1 Qualification level | Graduates of this course will analyse, synthesise and consolidate into a relevant form information related to a complex and diverse range of Christian beliefs in a Christian ministry, parachurch, education or service environment. They will provide specialised guidance and leadership in a broad range of life and ministry situations based on advanced interpretations about Christian theological and contextual beliefs.
Graduates will demonstrate advanced autonomous judgment and initiative and judgement in advising others on Christian ministry or theological matters in a broad range of organisational settings. They will take responsibility as a skilled practitioner in an uncontrolled ministry environment and apply advanced approaches to the study of Christian concepts and beliefs to a broad range of subjects and topics. The course outcomes of this Graduate Certificate in Christian Ministry and Theology are consistent with the qualification type descriptor for a Graduate Certificate found in the Australian Qualification Framework Second Edition, January 2013. The volume of learning for this qualification is consistent with the Volume of Learning identified in the AQF Qualification Type Descriptor for this AQF qualification level. |
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| 3.2 Foundation skills | Foundation skills are either explicit in the performance criteria or identified in the Foundation skills field of a unit of competency. Refer to the units of competency at Section C. |
4. Course rules
4.1 Course structure
To achieve the qualification Graduate Certificate in Christian Ministry and Theology the candidate must complete four elective units of competency.
Elective units must consist of:
- at least three units selected from the listed electives below, including:
- at least two units selected from group A: Scripture and Theology
- at least one unit selected from group B: Ministry and Formation
- up to one unit selected from any endorsed Training Package or accredited course – this unit must be relevant to the work outcome.
Rules for completion
| Unit code | Unit title | Competency Field | Pre-requisite | Nominal hours |
| Elective units Group A: Scripture and Theology | ||||
| NAT11231001 | Examine and compare Scripture and theology | 091703 | Nil | 80 |
| NAT11231002 | Analyse and apply Christian doctrine | 091703 | Nil | 80 |
| NAT11231003 | Lead ethical practice in a Christian ministry context | 091703 | Nil | 80 |
| NAT11232005 | Analyse worldviews and world religions | 091703 | Nil | 80 |
| Elective units Group B: Ministry and Formation | ||||
| NAT11231004 | Lead the mission of a Christian organisation | 091703 | Nil | 80 |
| NAT11231005 | Lead and enable Christian ministry | 091703 | Nil | 80 |
| NAT11232003 | Initiate and lead applied research in Christian ministry | 091703 | Nil | 80 |
| CHCPRP006 | Lead own professional development | 090599 | Nil | 75 |
| PSPGEN100 | Manage conflict | 080305 | Nil | 55 |
| PSPGEN117 | Implement and manage diversity and inclusion strategies | 080303 | Nil | 65 |
| BSBTWK502 | Manage team effectiveness | 080303 | Nil | 60 |
| Minimum and maximum nominal hours (elective units) | 275 – 320 | |||
| Total nominal hours | 275 – 320 | |||
Volume of Learning
- Nominal (supervised) hours: 275 – 320 hours
- Unsupervised hours: 300 hours
- Volume of learning: 575 – 620 hours
Unsupervised activities
Successful completion of this course will require learners to engage in unsupervised experience including:
- undertaking work or work experience in a Christian ministry
- completing self-paced study to revise and reinforce areas of knowledge and to complete assignments and projects
- conducting research on Christian ministry and theology to gain additional industry information
- participating in a religious community, its practices and activities, such as worship, small groups, pastoral care, outreach and community service
- undertaking personal formation activities including periods of devotion, prayer, personal retreat and reflection
The time required to undertake these activities will vary between learners based on their experience. On average, the unsupervised activities listed above will equate to 300 hours.
A Statement of Attainment will be issued for any unit of competency successfully completed if the full qualification is not completed.
4.2 Entry requirements
Essential entry requirements
Entrants to the Graduate Certificate in Ministry and Theology must:
- hold the Advanced Diploma of Christian Ministry and Theology
OR
- hold a higher education qualification (e.g. Bachelor Degree) with relevant vocational experience in Christian ministry and theology
Recommended entry requirements
It is recommended entrants have language, literacy and numeracy skills sufficient to interpret complex documents, prepare written reports and communicate complex issues orally. An appropriate level of language, literacy and numeracy skills would be ACSF level two (2) in numeracy, four (4) in reading and writing, and five (5) in learning and oral communication.
Other levels and recommended entry requirements may apply depending on the local context in which the course is applied. Where the course is delivered in an oral culture, e.g., Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander context, the application of these core skills may differ in the practice of Christian ministry and in the delivery of training and assessment in Christian ministry and theology.
5. Assessment
| 5.1 Assessment strategy | All assessment must be conducted in accordance with the requirements of the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015 or its successor.
Assessment must be conducted using a variety of methods over time to ensure a sufficient range of valid evidence is gathered to form a judgment of competence. Assessment methods may include:
Mandated assessments methods and resources apply to some units. Refer to the Assessment Requirements of the individual units. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) will be offered to applicants. Assessment of the training package units imported into the course must be consistent with the assessment guidelines in the parent training package. |
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| 5.2 Assessor competencies | All assessment must be undertaken by assessors who meet the requirements stated to apply under the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015 or its successor.
Additional specialist vocational competency requirements The assessment of units of competency imported from training packages and other VET accredited courses must reflect the requirements for assessors specified in the relevant training packages and accredited course. |
6. Pathways and articulation
| 6.1 Pathways and articulation | Potential pathways into the course
The Advanced Diploma of Christian Ministry and Theology provides a pathway into the 11231NAT Graduate Certificate in Christian Ministry and Theology. Potential pathways out of the course The 11231NAT Graduate Certificate in Christian Ministry and Theology includes units of competency that can be included in the Graduate Diploma of Christian Ministry and Theology. Completion of these units provides a pathway to the Graduate Diploma of Christian Ministry and Theology. Graduates of this qualification may be eligible to enter a range of other higher qualifications offered by RTOs and higher education providers. This qualification contains units from the Public Sector; Business Services; and Community Services training packages. Completion of these units provides pathways into relevant VET qualifications which contain those units. |
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Section C—Units of competency
Units of competency developed for the course
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| NAT11231001 | Examine and compare Scripture and theology |
| NAT11231002 | Analyse and apply Christian doctrine |
| NAT11231003 | Lead ethical practice in a Christian ministry context |
| NAT11231004 | Lead the mission of a Christian organisation |
| NAT11231005 | Lead and enable Christian ministry |
Units of competency imported from other accredited course
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| NAT11232003 | Initiate and lead applied research in Christian ministry |
| NAT11232005 | Analyse worldviews and world religions |
Units of competency imported from training packages
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| CHCPRP006 | Lead own professional development |
| PSPGEN100 | Manage conflict |
| PSPGEN117 | Implement and manage diversity and inclusion strategies |
| BSBTWK502 | Manage team effectiveness |
