Diploma of Christian Ministry and Theology 11238NAT, CRICOS Code: 106597G 000

Course information

1. Nomenclature

1.1 Name of the qualification

11238NAT Diploma of Christian Ministry and Theology

1.2 Nominal duration of the course

Supervised: 595 – 770 hours
Unsupervised: 500 hours
Volume of learning: 1095 – 1270 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 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, for example businesses, hospitals and charities.

Occupational titles may include:

Pastor
Religious Education teacher
Youth ministry worker
Evangelist
Catechist
Lay worker
Lay preacher
Deacon
Ministry leader
Manager

2.2 Course description

This course is designed to prepare individuals for a range of Christian ministry roles such as pastor, deacon, lay preacher, catechist, religious education teacher, lay worker, youth ministry worker and evangelist. Work in these roles may also require commissioning from a recognised religious institution.

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, childcare or aged care in order to work effectively in these sectors. Such workers 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:

advanced knowledge of core Christian beliefs and practices;
skills to interpret, apply and teach Christian beliefs and practices;
practical ministry, leadership or teaching skills;
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 integrated knowledge of Christian beliefs and practices in a Christian ministry, parachurch, education or service environment. They will use factual, technical, procedural and theoretical knowledge of Christian Ministry and Theology when delivering ministry programmes or other services, completing work tasks or teaching others ministry or theology topics.

Graduates will demonstrate autonomy, initiative and judgement to organise their own work and to plan, coordinate and evaluate the work of others when developing or delivering Christian ministry services in broad but generally well-defined parameters. They will demonstrate technical and communication skills to analyse biblical texts and technical and creative skills to communicate theology to others or to lead Christian ministry and to transmit Christian ministry knowledge and skills to others.

The course outcomes of this Diploma of Christian Ministry and Theology are consistent with the qualification type descriptor for a Diploma 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 Diploma of Christian Ministry and Theology the candidate must complete compete ten units, including two core competencies and eight electives.

Elective units must consist of:

at least six units selected from the listed electives below, including:
- at least three units selected from group A: Scripture and Theology
- at least three units selected from group B: Ministry and Formation or C: Catholic Education
up to two units selected from any endorsed Training Package or accredited course – these units must be relevant to the work outcome.

Any combination of electives that meets the rules above can be selected for the award of the Diploma of Christian Ministry and Theology. Where appropriate, electives may be packaged to provide the qualification with a specialisation in Catholic education.

Packaging for Catholic education specialisation

All group C electives must be selected for the award of the Diploma of Christian Ministry and Theology (Catholic Education)

Rules for completion

<td”>75

Unit code	Unit title	Competency field	Pre-requisite	Nominal hours
Core units
NAT11238001	Apply advanced knowledge of the Bible	091703	Nil	75
NAT11238002	Compare and explain Christian beliefs and practices	091703	Nil	75
Total nominal hours (core units)				150
Elective units group A: Scripture and Theology
NAT11238003	Research and present a biblical theme	091703	Nil	75
NAT11237002	Interpret biblical texts	091703	Nil	75
NAT11238004	Develop and apply knowledge of church history	091703	Nil	75
NAT11238005	Develop and apply knowledge of church, liturgy and sacraments	091703	Nil	75
NAT11237005	Apply Christian ethics to contemporary issues	091703	Nil	75
NAT11238006	Compare worldviews and world religions	091703	Nil

NAT11238007

Explain and discuss the person and work of the Holy Spirit

091703

Nil

Elective units group B: Ministry and Formation

NAT11238008

Develop self-awareness

091703

Nil

NAT11238009

Provide leadership in a Christian organisation

091703

Nil

NAT11238010

Develop and implement ministry programs

091703

NAT11238011

Prepare and lead worship

091703

Nil

NAT11238012

Manage resources and risk in a ministry context

091703

Nil

NAT11238013

Plan to initiate a new church

091703

Nil

NAT11238014

Lead a process of Christian discipleship

091703

Nil

NAT11237011

Prepare and preach a sermon

091703

Nil

NAT11237012

Develop own leadership skills

091703

Nil

BSBTWK502

Manage team effectiveness

080303

Nil

PSPGEN098

Deal with conflict

120301

Nil

PSPGEN115

Uphold and support inclusive workplace practices

080305

Nil

CHCGRP002

Plan and conduct group activities

120505

Nil

CHCCCS017

Provide loss and grief support

120513

Nil

CHCPAS003

Plan for the provision of pastoral and spiritual care

091703

Nil

CHCPAS004

Provide pastoral and spiritual care

091703

Nil

CHCCCS007

Develop and implement service programs

090501

Nil

100

CHCVOL003

Recruit, induct and support volunteers

080303

Nil

SIRXOSM007

Manage risk to organisational reputation in an online setting

080301

Nil

Elective units group C: Catholic Education

NAT11238015

Implement the mission and values of a Catholic organisation in own professional practice

091703

Nil

NAT11238016

Interpret and apply a religious education framework to guide practice

091703

Nil

NAT11238017

Develop the religious understanding of students

091703

Nil

Minimum and maximum nominal hours (elective units)

445 – 620

Total nominal hours (Core + Elective units)

595 – 770

Volume of Learning

Nominal (supervised) hours: 595 – 770 hours
Unsupervised hours: 500 hours
Volume of learning: 1095 – 1270 hours

Unsupervised activities

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

undertaking work experience in a Christian ministry
completing self-paced study to complete research and assessment tasks and revise and reinforce areas of knowledge
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 500 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.

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.

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 articulation6.1 Pathways and articulation

Potential pathways into 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 Diploma of Christian Ministry and Theology where these units have been included in the course structure.

Potential pathways out of the course

The 11238NAT Diploma of Christian Ministry and Theology includes units of competency that can be included in the 11239NAT Advanced Diploma of Christian Ministry and Theology. Completion of these units provides a pathway to the 11239NAT Advanced Diploma of Christian Ministry and Theology.

11238NAT includes the units of competency from the BSB, CHC, PSP 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
NAT11238001	Apply advanced knowledge of the Bible
NAT11238002	Compare and explain Christian beliefs and practices
NAT11238003	Research and present a biblical theme
NAT11238004	Develop and apply knowledge of church history
NAT11238005	Develop and apply knowledge of church, liturgy and sacraments
NAT11238006	Analyse and compare worldviews and world religions
NAT11238007	Explain and discuss the person and work of the Holy Spirit
NAT11238008	Develop self-awareness
NAT11238009	Provide leadership in a Christian organisation
NAT11238010	Develop and implement ministry programs
NAT11238011	Prepare and lead worship
NAT11238012	Manage resources and risk in a ministry context
NAT11238013	Plan to initiate a new church
NAT11238014	Lead a process of Christian Discipleship
NAT11238015	Implement the mission and values of a Catholic organisation in own professional practice
NAT11238016	Interpret and apply a religious education framework to guide practice
NAT11238017	Develop the religious understanding of students

Units of competency imported from other accredited course/s

<td”>NAT11237011

Code	Title
NAT11237002	Interpret biblical texts
NAT11237005	Apply Christian ethics to contemporary issues
Prepare and preach a sermon
NAT11237012	Develop own leadership skills

Units of competency imported from training package/s

Code	Title
BSBTWK502	Manage team effectiveness
PSPGEN098	Deal with conflict
PSPGEN115	Uphold and support inclusive workplace practices
CHCGRP002	Plan and conduct group activities
CHCCCS017	Provide loss and grief support
CHCPAS003	Plan for the provision of pastoral and spiritual care
CHCPAS004	Provide pastoral and spiritual care
CHCCCS007	Develop and implement service programs
CHCVOL003	Recruit, induct and support volunteers
SIRXOSM007	Manage risk to organisational reputation in an online setting