Christian Life & Ministry Vocational Education and Training to help you understand the foundations of the Bible and grow in Christian leadership. Suitable for people wanting to become Lay Preachers or Ministers of Pastor. Diploma of Ministry Diploma of Ministry Gain a deeper understanding of the Bible while developing valuable practical skills in one of six pastoral pathways. Gain a deeper understanding of the Bible while developing valuable practical skills in one of six pastoral pathways. 1
Welcome to Uniting College Uniting College is the Uniting Church s college for discipleship and ministry training in South Australia. We provide high quality, accessible education for all people - lay, and those preparing for ordination and other specified ministries within the Uniting Church - so they may become effective leaders, empowered by the Spirit. We also provide study options for people from a range of church backgrounds with a personal interest in Christian theology. We offer Vocational Education and Training, and undergraduate and postgraduate degrees through our partnership with the Adelaide College of Divinity (ACD) and Flinders University. We are a place where life and learning intersect. While some of our lessons are taught in classrooms, others are learned in a variety of community settings such as aged care facilities, churches, hospitals, sporting clubs and schools, as students undertake practical ministry placements. We encourage deep thinking and academic excellence. Our students come from Australia and overseas to study critical issues connecting Christian theology, mission and ministry with contemporary life. Teaching is delivered by a flexible blend of face-to-face, distance and online learning, and reaches students across Australia and internationally. Our courses are taught by a diverse faculty with a commitment to scholarly and practical excellence, and whose collective knowledge and beliefs create a rich and rewarding learning environment. Teaching is delivered by a flexible blend of face-to-face, distance and online learning, and reaches students across Australia and overseas. People study with us for a variety of reasons. Some feel called to become Christian leaders as they appreciate their unique gifts and discern what they are called to do. Others simply want to gain deeper understanding of the Christian faith. We hope that through your connection with us, you find ways to learn, lead and live. Rev Dr Steve Taylor Principal 2
Welcome to Christian Life and Ministry Our Certificate and Diploma in Christian Life and Ministry will help you deepen your relationship with God and better understand your faith. Many people study Christian Life and Ministry to learn to read the Bible more effectively and explore the foundations of Christian teachings. In doing so, they discover their unique gifts while developing skills to help them serve in ministry and mission, and participate more fully in their local church and community. Whether you study for personal interest or professional development, I hope you enjoy your journey with us. Rev Tim Hein Course Coordinator People interested in becoming a Lay Preacher or Pastor also study Christian Life and Ministry. Our courses help people gain the academic qualifications required by the Uniting Church when being considered for approval or appointment to these roles. 3
Certificate IV Christian Life and Ministry The Certificate IV in Christian Life and Ministry enables you to deepen your learning and grow as a Christian leader. It is required study for people wishing to become Lay Preachers in the Uniting Church. The Certificate IV Christian Life and Ministry is not being offered in Semester One 2015 due to reaccreditation but will continue to be offered in Semester Two 2015. Core units Engaging in the Christian Faith Engaging in Christian Life Engaging in Culturally Appropriate Mission Developing Healthy Groups Writing Complex Documents Engaging in the Gospels OR Engaging in the Christian Scriptures Electives are offered in a Christology, Preaching and Worship so you can tailor your studies to suit your interests. Please refer to the Adelaide College of Divinity Handbook for details. Becoming a Lay Preacher Lay Preachers read Scripture, lead prayers, share faith stories and conduct other aspects of congregational worship in the Uniting Church. Lay Preacher candidates undertake prescribed studies and gain supervised practical experience before being appointed by the Uniting Church. The following units must be successfully completed to meet the Uniting Church s academic requirements for preparation for the Ministry of Lay Preacher: Engaging in the Gospels Engaging in the Christian Scriptures Engaging in the Christian faith Special Theology Elective A: Believing in Jesus Christ Special Ministry Elective A: Worship in the Uniting Church Make a presentation: Preaching in the Uniting Church Successful completion of Certificate IV Christian Life and Ministry meets admission requirements to the Diploma of Ministry and the Bachelor of Ministry. For further information please contact the Adelaide College of Divinity. 4
Mary-Grace leads with love Each Sunday Mary-Grace Bingham spends many hours driving across South Australia s mid-north to lead worship in small stone churches as old as the towns she visits. While the area awaits the appointment of a Minister, she is the Lay Preacher to grateful communities who love that a local keeps their congregation going. Travelling from her home in Jamestown to Hallet, Orroroo and Whyte Yarcowie, where congregation numbers can be as small as 10, Mary-Grace plays a valuable role in providing pastoral care to local communities who have embraced her as one of their own. A warm and caring person, Mary-Grace is also the Director of Nursing at the Jamestown Hospital. Her skills in nursing and ministry can combine during extreme hot weather that leaves some congregation members wilting. With ambulances some time and distance away, Mary-Grace is sometimes called on to help elderly members. Many older people in the community struggle with the heat but are determined to attend the service, especially knowing their Lay Preacher travelled some time to lead it. Mary-Grace loves being part of her local community and leading local congregations. She ll sometimes take people in her car as she travels, pleased to have someone to share the time with and to connect members of the extended congregation. I love what God has called me to do, she says. 5
Josh hears a higher call As a police officer on general patrol, Josh Scherer was used to responding to calls. But a call from Rev Naomi Duke, Minister of the Word at the Parafield Gardens Uniting Church, set his life on a different course. Naomi told Josh that Parafield Gardens had recently created a position of Discipleship Pastor and that they would love him to apply for the role. Josh, who had been a regular attendee at Tea Tree Gully Uniting Church and Chair of the South Australian Youth Camp Out, describes the call from Naomi as surprising and humbling. I felt a call to leadership, but I wasn t sure in what capacity, he explains. Josh says that while things moved quickly, his decision to work in ministry gave him a sense of peace. I feel I made the right decision and I am very happy. Two years on, Josh is right at home as a Discipleship Pastor a role where he welcomes people to the church and helps them become part of the community. After further discernment, he is seeking to become a Minister of the Word and has been accepted as a candidate by the Uniting Church Selection Panel. It is an incredible privilege to be trusted to communicate and share the Gospel. After praying and discerning his future he believed he felt a clear call to ministry. In the six weeks that followed he resigned from SA Police, took up his new role, undertook a Period of Discernment and commenced studying towards a Bachelor of Ministry. 6 For further information please contact ACD Student Services on 08 8416 8400. FEE HELP is available for eligible students. ABSTUDY, Austudy and Youth Allowance are available for full-time, qualifying students. For further information please contact Centrelink. Uniting College is a member of the Adelaide College of Divinity, a Registered Training Organisation and Higher Education Provider.