Certificate IV in Christian Ministry and Theology 11237NAT, CRICOS Code: 106598F

Department of Theology

1. Nomenclature
1.1 Name of the qualification 11237NAT Certificate IV in Christian Ministry and Theology
1.2 Nominal duration of the course
  • Supervised: 450 – 665 hours
  • Unsupervised: 180 – 360 hours
  • Volume of learning: 630 – 1025 hours
2. Vocational or educational outcomes
2.1   Outcome(s) of the course This course is intended to equip individuals to serve in a range of roles in church, parachurch and community organisations, Christian education, health, social services or aged care services and not-for-profits. Work in these roles may 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, for example Christian camping ministries, businesses, hospitals and charities.

Occupational titles may include:

  • Chaplain
  • Youth ministry worker
  • Ministry team leader
  • Sunday school teacher
  • Evangelist
  • Ministry worker
  • Elder
  • Lay preacher
  • Pastoral carer
  • Salvation Army Auxiliary Lieutenant
2.2 Course description This course is designed to prepare individuals for a range of Christian ministry roles such as chaplain, lay worker, ministry team leader, youth ministry worker and evangelist.

It is also designed to equip employees in parachurch, community and Christian organisations with an understanding of the beliefs and values that guide Christian education, health, social services, child care or aged care so that they are able to work effectively in these sectors. Workers in these contexts are required to align their work with the vision, values and expected practices of the organisation and to operate within an ethical and moral framework.

The course will provide participants with:

  • knowledge of core Christian beliefs and practices;
  • an ability to apply these beliefs and practices to a range of issues or contexts;
  • skills to interpret and communicate Christian beliefs and practices;
  • opportunities for personal ethical formation; and
  •  skills for work or further vocational training.

 

3. Course outcomes
3.1 Qualification level Graduates of this course will apply knowledge of Christian beliefs and practices in a Christian ministry, parachurch or service environment. They will use a broad range of factual, technical, procedural and theoretical knowledge of Christian Ministry and Theology when delivering ministry programmes or other services, completing work tasks or communicating with others seeking information on ministry or theology topics.
Graduates will demonstrate responsibility for their own functions and outputs and may have limited responsibility for the organisation of others and the quality of their work when developing or delivering Christian ministry services in known and changing contexts within established parameters. They will demonstrate skills to interpret biblical texts with reference its context and to complete routine and non-routine ministry tasks. They will apply technical and communication skills to lead and guide ministry activities and to respond to questions on faith matters.
The course outcomes of this Certificate IV in Christian Ministry and Theology are consistent with the qualification type descriptor for a Certificate IV 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.
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 11237NAT Certificate IV in Christian Ministry and Theology the candidate must complete compete nine units, including three core competencies and six electives.Elective units must consist of:

  • at least four units selected from the listed electives below, including:
    •  at least one unit selected from group A: Scripture and Theology
    • at least one unit selected from group B: Ministry and Formation
  • up to two units selected from any endorsed Training Package or accredited course – these units must be relevant to the work outcome.

 

Rules for completion

Unit code Unit title Competency field Pre-requisite Nominal hours
Core units
NAT11237001 Apply knowledge of the Bible 091703 Nil 75
NAT11237002 Interpret biblical texts 091703 Nil 60
NAT11237003 Develop and apply knowledge of key Christian beliefs 091703 Nil 75
Total nominal hours (core units) 210
Elective units group A: Scripture and Theology
NAT11237004 Discuss a topic from a Christian perspective 091703 Nil 60
NAT11237005 Apply Christian ethics to contemporary issues 091703 Nil 75
NAT11237006 Explain Christian beliefs to a non-Christian audience 091703 Nil 75
NAT11237007 Apply knowledge of Christian history and historical theology 091703 Nil 75
NAT11236002 Research Christian Scripture and Theology 091703 Nil 60
NAT11238006 Analyse and compare worldviews and world religions 091703 Nil 75
Elective units group B: Ministry and Formation
NAT11237008 Use Christian spiritual practices to support own personal development 091703 Nil 40
NAT11237009 Develop and implement self-care strategies in ministry 091703 Nil 40
NAT11237010 Plan and lead ministry activities 091703 Nil 60
NAT11237011 Prepare and preach a sermon 091703 Nil 60
NAT11237012 Develop own leadership skills 091703 Nil 60
NAT11237013 Support a person in crisis to prevent and manage incidents in the workplace 091703 Nil 60
NAT11238013 Plan to initiate a new church 091703 Nil 75
NAT11238014 Lead a process of Christian discipleship 091703 Nil 60
SISXIND009 Respond to interpersonal conflict 120301 Nil 20
CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people 120505 Nil 40
CHCLEG001 Work legally and ethically 090513 Nil 55
CHCMHS001 Work with people with mental health issues 061309 Nil 80
CHCCCS016 Respond to client needs 090501 Nil 60
CHCYTH013 Engage respectfully with young people 090505 Nil 60
CHCYTH019 Undertake youthwork in specific communities 090505 Nil 55
BSBPMG430 Undertake project work 080315 Nil 60
BSBCRT311 Apply critical thinking skills in a team environment 120599 Nil 40
SIRXOSM006 Develop and manage social media and online strategies 080505 Nil 40
Minimum and maximum nominal hours (elective units) 240 – 455
Total nominal hours (Core + Elective units) 450 – 665

Volume of Learning

  • Nominal (supervised) hours: 450 – 665 hours
  • Unsupervised hours: 180 – 360 hours
  • Volume of learning: 630 – 1025 hours

Unsupervised activities

Successful completion of this course will require learners to engage in unsupervised experience including:

  • undertaking work experience in a Christian ministry
  • private study completing research and assessment tasks, revising areas of knowledge or researching additional information in Christian Ministry and Theology
  • 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 180 to 360 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

There are no essential entry requirements.

 

Recommended entry requirements

It is recommended entrants have LLN skills at ACSF level 3 or higher in the domains of learning, reading, writing 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 current 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:

  • direct observation
  • case studies
  • scenarios
  • simulations and/or role plays
  • written and/or oral questions
  • assignments
  • projects
  • portfolios of evidence
  • third party evidence and supervisor reports

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) will be offered to applicants.

Mandated assessment resources apply to the unit/s. Refer to the Assessment Requirements of the individual unit/s.

Assessment of the training package units imported into the course must be consistent with the assessment guidelines in the parent training package.
6.2 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.

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 11236NAT Certificate III in Christian Ministry and Theology includes units of competency that can be included in the 11237NAT Certificate IV in Christian Ministry and Theology. Completion of these units provides a pathway into the Certificate IV in Christian Ministry and Theology where these units have been included in the course structure.

Potential pathways out of the course

The 11237NAT Certificate IV in Christian Ministry and Theology includes units of competency that can be included in the 11238NAT Diploma of Christian Ministry and Theology. Completion of these units provides a pathway into the 11238NATDiploma of Christian Ministry and Theology where these units have been included in the course structure.

11237NAT includes units of competency from the CHC, SIS, BSB and SIR training packages. Completion of these units provides pathways into qualifications that include these units of competency in their course structure.

Graduates of this qualification may be eligible to enter a range of other higher qualifications offered by RTOs and higher education providers.

 

Section C—Units of competency

Units of competency developed for the course

Code Title
NAT11237001 Apply knowledge of the Bible
NAT11237002 Interpret biblical texts
NAT11237003 Develop and apply knowledge of key Christian beliefs
NAT11237004 Discuss a topic from a Christian perspective
NAT11237005 Apply Christian ethics to contemporary issues
NAT11237006 Explain Christian beliefs to a non-Christian audience
NAT11237007 Apply knowledge of Christian history and historical theology
NAT11237008 Use Christian spiritual practices to support own personal development
NAT11237009 Develop and implement self-care strategies in ministry
NAT11237010 Plan and lead ministry activities
NAT11237011 Prepare and preach a sermon
NAT11237012 Develop own leadership skills
NAT11237013 Support a person in crisis to prevent and manage incidents in the workplace

 

Units of competency imported from other accredited course/s

Code Title
NAT11236002 Research Christian Scripture and Theology
NAT11238006 Analyse and compare worldviews and world religions
NAT11238013 Plan to initiate a new church
NAT11238014 Lead a process of Christian discipleship

 

Units of competency imported from training package/s

Code Title
SISXIND009 Respond to interpersonal conflict
CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people
CHCLEG001 Work legally and ethically
CHCMHS001 Work with people with mental health issues
CHCCCS016 Respond to client needs
CHCYTH013 Engage respectfully with young people
CHCYTH019 Undertake youth work in specific communities
BSBPMG430 Undertake project work
BSBCRT311 Apply critical thinking skills in a team environment
SIRXOSM006 Develop and manage social media and online strategies