` What is Talua Ministry Training Centre?

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Lorraine Hodge
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1 ` What is Talua Ministry Training Centre? Talua is a residential ministry training institution, situated on the island of Santo, in the north of Vanuatu. It is run by the Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu. Principal Fiama Rakau Who studies at Talua? Talua is open to members of all Christian denominations who are members of the Vanuatu Christian Council. At present, there are men and women students from the Presbyterian and Anglican churches, Churches of Christ, and Église Evangelique Libre Protestante. What does training at Talua prepare students to do? Many graduates of Talua serve as pastors, priests, mission workers. Others are involved in lay ministry as elders, women s leaders, youth leaders, Sunday School teachers, Bible translators, and in other Christian ministries. What programs are offered at Talua? The programs currently offered are: Diploma in Theology Bachelor of Ministry degree Foundation Year Women s Program Short courses

At present, there are men and women students from the Presbyterian and Anglican churches, Churches of Christ, and Église Evangelique Libre Protestante.

2 Who serves at Talua? Most of the staff are Presbyterian and Anglican pastors from within Vanuatu. Partner church missionaries include: Dr Andrew and Rosemary Williamson Glen and Rachael Connor Andrew and Marilyn Schache Paula and Roger Levy (from New Zealand) Many lecturers from Australia, New Zealand, and the U.S.A. are also invited to volunteer their time as guest lecturers, particularly in the B Min program. Andrew and Rosemary Williamson B Min lecturers meeting What is the language of instruction at Talua? Vanuatu is a complex situation linguistically, with around 80 vernacular languages actively spoken at home. Most people use Bislama as a way to communicate with people from other languages. Around the country, education is conducted in English or French. The language of instruction at Talua is English, with some discussion in Bislama. English is the language which opens the door to studying at a tertiary level, so students need good skills in reading and writing English, particularly at the degree level. We need more trained teachers of English at Talua! Library Talua has a first class library with over 15,000 volumes, including special Pacific and Vanuatu collections. The library building was sponsored and built by the Presbyterian Church of Australia. 2

Zealand, and the U.S.A. are also invited to volunteer their time as guest lecturers, particularly in the B Min program.

3 What is the accommodation like? Flats or local houses are provided for married students and their families. Single students share a very basic dormitory room with another student. In 2011 three new houses and a large classroom were built for Bachelor of Ministry program. In 2013 a new guest lecturer flat and some ablutions were also completed. We need more accommodation and a new classroom. What is the Diploma in Theology? The Diploma in Theology is a three year program which trains men and women to become ordained pastors and other church leaders for the Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu, Church of Melanesia, and other denominations in Vanuatu and the Pacific. The Diploma in Theology program is accredited by the South Pacific Association of Theological Schools. What is the Foundation Year? The Foundation Year is a one year program of intense preparation for Bachelor of Ministry degree studies. It is designed to raise English, academic, computer, and thinking skills to a level needed for degree studies. In addition to the academic areas, foundations are laid in Bible, gospel, discipleship, and theology. Students are required to read the Bible through fully in the year and study the Shorter Catechism (or equivalent for other denominations). What is the Bachelor of Ministry? We need another teacher of English for Academic Purposes The Bachelor of Ministry program is an undergraduate degree equipping students for ministry of the word of God in 21 st century Vanuatu and the South Pacific. It takes four years, including the preparatory and probationary Foundation Year. The Bachelor of Ministry program is accredited by the Asia Theological Association. 3

We need more accommodation and a new classroom. What is the Diploma in Theology?

4 Why a Bachelor of Ministry program? Vanuatu has of a rapidly changing social environment. The church needs to remain effective in modern society. The Bachelor of Ministry is designed to help the church provide effective leadership for the new generation, as well as recruit young educated people for Christian ministry. Where there is a faithful focus on Jesus Christ, an undergraduate education can help pastors and other Christian leaders to respond to the changing needs of the church and society in a reasoned, creative, and faithful way. What is included in the Bachelor program? Bible and theology Pastoral studies History and Christian thought Support studies Field education and ministry training What ministry are graduates of the B Min program involved in? First class of B Min graduates, 2012 The primary focus of the program is on pastoring, but graduates may also become school chaplains, teach in a regional Bible College, lecture at Talua, teach Religious Education in the schools, write Christian resources, or serve in the community. Talua has also been preparing some to go on to Masters degree studies that would prepare them to teach in the Bachelor of Ministry program or undertake Bible translation. Student led mission teams in 2013 reported a great hunger for good teaching in the villages 4

Where there is a faithful focus on Jesus Christ, an undergraduate education can help pastors and other Christian leaders to respond to the changing needs of the church and society in a reasoned,

5 What about the student wives? Some of the wives of students also study in the diploma or B Min program, but most are involved in the Women s Program. This program prepares women to assist their husbands as leaders in parish ministry. It aims to help women in their personal growth and commitment to the Lord Jesus. It also assists them to acquire and develop practical skills. Would you like to help? Pray for Vanuatu and Talua Ministry Training Centre Pray for your missionaries serving in Vanuatu Would you like to help sponsor a student family? The total yearly fees for the Foundation Year and Bachelor of Ministry range from $A3,000 to $A4,000 for a student family. These fees include the cost of the women s program for the spouse, accommodation, and a very small food allowance. They also include the cost of a low energy computer, books, internet, and other administrative costs such as flying in guest lecturers or repairing computers. For more information, contact: Australian Presbyterian World Mission 8 Sylvan Grove Picnic Point 2213 (02) national@apwm.org.au Andrew and Rosemary Williamson andyrose2@gmail.com (02)

It also assists them to acquire and develop practical skills. Would you like to help?

Talua Ministry Training Centre. Prospectus

Talua Ministry Training Centre Prospectus September 2011 What is Talua? Talua Ministry Training Centre is a residential ministry training institution, situated in South Santo, 26 km from Luganville. It