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 was founded to provide ministry training for members of the churches of Vanuatu. The college is owned by the Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu and is administered by the Talua Committee appointed by the Assembly. The Committee includes representatives from partner churches in Vanuatu. International students are also welcome to apply. Who studies at Talua? Talua is open to members of all Christian denominations who are members and associate members of the Vanuatu Christian Council. At present, there are men and women students from the Presbyterian and Anglican churches, Assemblies of God, Churches of Christ, and Église Evangelic Libre Protestante. What does training at Talua prepare students to do? Many graduates of Talua serve as pastors, priests, and mission workers. Others are involved in lay ministry as elders, women s leaders, youth leaders, Sunday School teachers, and various Christian ministries. What is the doctrinal basis for Talua? The doctrinal basis of the centre is the Statement of Faith of the Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu, which emphasises the Trinitarian faith and historic Christian doctrines. The College has a Memorandum of Agreement with the Church of Melanesia, and an informal agreement with the Churches of Christ to train their candidates. The Church of Melanesia currently provides 2 lecturers for the College. Students are encouraged to appreciate and respect the worship traditions of the various denominations represented at Talua. Prospectus Talua Ministry Training Centre p. 2 September 2011
What programs are offered at Talua? The programs currently offered are: 3 year Diploma in Theology 3 year Bachelor of Ministry degree 1 year Foundation Studies 3 year Diploma in Missiology 2 or 3 year Women s Program certificate Short courses on topics relevant to Christian life and ministry. Short Course Graduation Who are the teaching staff at Talua? Ps Fiama Rakau, BD, MTh (Principal) Mrs Namlegi Rakau, TTC (Women s Program Coordinator) Dr Andrew Williamson, BA, MDiv, MTh, PhD (Dean of Studies) Ps Roy Yosef, BTh (Mission Program Coordinator) Ps Masia Nato, BD, M Th. (Lecturer) Ps Selerick Michel, BD, MACL (Lecturer) Ps Shem Tamara, BTh, BA (Bibl. Stud.) (Lecturer) Ps Philip Baniuri, BD, MDiv (Lecturer) Fr John Hinge, BDiv (Lecturer) Fr Joseph Tagaro, BDiv (Lecturer) Mr Glen Connor, BSc, B Ed, BD, Dip Min. (Lecturer) Prospectus Talua Ministry Training Centre p. 3 September 2011
Mrs Rosemary Williamson, BA (Hons), MA (Bibl St), SIL training, (Lecturer) Mrs Paula Levy, BSc, B Min (Lecturer) Mrs Rachael Connor, BSc (Hons) (Auxilliary Lecturer) Who are the support staff? El. Jim Waroka, MA(School Management) (Administrator) Mrs Cindy Vanuaroro (Librarian) Mrs Linda Vutilolo (Secretary) Ps Sophia Silas (part-time Librarian) Mr Jenery Kalwatman (Handyman) Mr Roger Levy (part-time Handyman) Apologies for staff not pictured! Who can apply to study at Talua? Courses at Talua are open to men and women of good Christian character as recommended by their churches. What is the language of instruction at Talua? The language of instruction is English, with some discussion in Bislama. Studying requires reading and writing in English, but ministry requires Bislama or language. Those planning to come to Talua should work on their English. Prospectus Talua Ministry Training Centre p. 4 September 2011
What are the academic entrance requirements? Students for diploma and foundation year programs must have completed year 12 high school or equivalent. Applicants for the Bachelor degree program must complete the foundation year program and obtain a band 3, 4, or 5 on the TELSA (TALUA ENGLISH LANGUAGE SKILLS) test which is administered at the end of term 2 of the Foundation Year program. How does the application process work? All applicants must: 1. Pray and discuss their calling with their parish pastor or priest 2. Get approval and recommendation from their church Candidates who are training for ordained ministry as a pastor or priest are called pastoral candidates. If you wish to be a pastoral candidate your church leadership (Presbytery or Bishop or other recognised leadership) must give their approval. If you wish to come as a private student, you need a letter of recommendation from your pastor. 3. Fill in an application Application forms are available through Presbytery Clerks and Church of Melanesia Diocesan offices, or they may be obtained from the Dean of Studies at Talua. Application forms may be completed in English or French. Completed application forms must be returned to the Dean of Studies by the end of the General Assembly. 4. Provide a photocopy of their Year 12 school report or other Bible college certificate 4. Sit an entrance exam All applicants must sit an Entrance Exam, which is available through Presbytery Clerks and Church of Melanesia offices, or by arrangement with the Dean of Studies at Talua. Exams should be returned to the Dean of Studies within two weeks following the date of the exam. Applications should be turned in with the exams if they have not been turned in beforehand. 5. Get a medical certificate Applicants need to provide a medical certificate with blood tests, saying that they are fit to undertake study. Prospectus Talua Ministry Training Centre p. 5 September 2011
6. Be selected by Talua Staff Council and Talua Committee Because many people apply to Talua, each year Talua Staff Council needs to choose the students who may enrol the following year, and recommend them to the Talua Committee for approval. In choosing who can come, Staff Council looks at how well the applicant does in the entrance exam, how much accommodation is available, the spread of students across Vanuatu, the experience of the applicant, and any special considerations. 7. If the application is successful If the application is successful, Talua will write to the applicant and their pastor or bishop to offer a place in the program. To accept the place, the applicant should inform the Principal (ph 541 6505) or the Dean of Studies (37413). If there is still space available, reserve applicants may be notified that there is a place available for them. 8. If your application is unsuccessful If the application is unsuccessful, Talua will write to the applicant to tell them that they were unsuccessful. 9. Arrive at Talua Students accepted for the diploma programs must arrive at Talua with their school fees and necessary items before the first Sunday in February. Opening worship is on Sunday then the program begins on Monday. Students accepted for Foundation Year and Bachelor of Ministry programs will be informed of a date in January when they need to be at Talua for a three week intensive before joining the other students in term one or semester one. Students must not be late for this intensive. Arriving a few days late will result in being impossibly behind. The most important part of the term is the first week, when goals, assignments, and key concepts are explained. What should a student do before coming to Talua? Students should be full members of their church (that is, baptised and/or confirmed in accordance with their church s customs) before they come. It is also a good idea for prospective students to read through the whole Bible, especially unfamiliar parts, before coming to Talua. They should also do whatever they can to improve their English before coming. Prospectus Talua Ministry Training Centre p. 6 September 2011
What is the academic year like at Talua? The Talua calendar generally follows the three terms of government schools in Vanuatu. First term starts with orientation week in the first full week of February. Then there are 11 weeks of classes, a week of exams, followed by a two week break. Term two generally consists of 11 weeks of classes, a week of Memorial lectures, and a week of exams. There is a two week break in August/September. Third term contains 11 weeks of classes, an exam week, and then Graduation is held on the last Wednesday in November. In addition to the three terms described above, Foundation Year and Bachelor of Ministry students start the year with a three week intensive in January. Talua is currently considering changing to a semester based program for the B Min program for 2012. What is Field Education? Field Education is essential to training at Talua. Field Education involves students participating in parish ministry or other ministry which is supervised and mentored by a staff member. For more information on Field Education see the information found later in this prospectus which is specific to the courses offered. What is the spiritual life at Talua? Students are encouraged to live a life worthy of their calling in Christ Jesus. This involves a growth in faith nourished by daily prayer and ministry of the Word. Spiritual life also involves training in the disciplines of prayer, study, common life work, and maintaining good relationships. Mentoring goes along with spiritual life and is conducted each week for one hour. Every student is a member of a small group with a staff mentor. The goal of mentoring groups is to strengthen students in the disciplines of godliness, study, common life work, and good relationships. Before the day s activities begin, there is personal prayer. Before classes there are group devotions: community devotions with everyone together on Mondays and Fridays; individual class devotions on Tuesdays and Thursdays; and triplet prayer groups and staff prayers on Wednesday. Each Sunday of term time, the Talua community and surrounding residents gather for morning worship at 9.30 a.m.. A Sunday School is run by students before the community worship service. In addition to the community service, Church of Melanesian students and staff conduct an Anglican service at 6 a.m. on Sundays. Prospectus Talua Ministry Training Centre p. 7 September 2011
On Sunday afternoons, women join together for women s prayer. Other denominations are free to ask to conduct additional services and worship activities. Sunday nights are given to a variety of activities: community prayer, family prayer, creative worship, Bible studies, and seminars. Building a chapel at Talua After many years of planning for it, a chapel is rising out of the centre of the Talua grounds with the help of partner work teams from Efate, Malekula, and Santo, funding from Ifira Trust and overseas partners, under the building expertise of Yarwel Heniko. What are Preaching Clubs? Staff and students participate in preaching clubs each Tuesday afternoon for one hour. These clubs aim to train students to preach God s word faithfully, relevantly, and clearly. The Bible passage for the following Sunday service is studied and possible preaching points and applications are discussed. Also, the previous Sunday sermon is critiqued. What is the Social and Sports Life at Talua like? Each Thursday afternoon men and women students play sport, usually football and volleyball. At times competitions and friendly games are organised with nearby villages. On Friday nights, there is often a social activity such as a film, games, quiz, or seminar. Music at Talua Students are encouraged to use their musical gifts and training for the glory of God. Each Tuesday afternoon there is choir for diploma and foundation year students. Students are also involved in leading singing before and during services, and participate in choirs, concerts, and music for social events. Prospectus Talua Ministry Training Centre p. 8 September 2011
Outside work Students are expected to help maintain and develop the campus. Diploma and Women s program students do outside work on Mondays and Friday afternoons, and garden work on Wednesday afternoon. Foundation Year and B Min students do outside work on Saturday mornings, after which they work in their gardens. Accommodation Students live on campus during term time. Flats or local houses are provided for married students and their families. Single students share a dormitory room with another student. In 2011 some families have been accommodated at our neighbouring sister institution Navota Farm. Also in 2011 three new houses were built as the start of the Bachelor of Ministry village. Two are for families, and one is for a married couple. Eventually we hope to build twelve houses in all, with two ablution blocks. Children at Talua Talua welcomes children as God s blessing to families. Still, limited space requires that students bring no more than three children with them. If they want to bring more than three, or if they want to employ a house-girl or someone to help look after children, they must write a letter and ask permission from the Talua Staff Council. Talua parents operate a kindergarten on campus from 8.30 a.m. to 11 am. The parents contribute fees so that they can employ a kindergarten teacher. Older children can attend nearby Tata School, which goes from 1 st class to year 10. Prospectus Talua Ministry Training Centre p. 9 September 2011
On Thursday afternoon Kids Prayer Warriors meet. Children are taught about children across the world, some of whom are hungry, and many of whom know nothing yet about Jesus. They pray together for them and sometimes go on mission trips to town or a mission village under the supervision of adult students or staff. Medical help at Talua Vules Epe Clinic, located about 2 km from Talua, can deal with many medical needs, such as malaria testing and child immunisations. For serious illnesses, students may see a doctor at Northern Districts Hospital in town. Library Talua has a first class library with over 11,000 volumes, including special Pacific and Vanuatu collections. Students and staff can access the internet wirelessly through the library for a small fee. For the good of the community, some internet sites are blocked. Are courses at Talua accredited? The Diploma in Theology program is accredited by the South Pacific Association of Theological Schools. Application is underway for accreditation of the two new programs, the Diploma in Missiology and Bachelor of Ministry programs. Prospectus Talua Ministry Training Centre p. 10 September 2011
What is the Diploma in Theology? The Diploma in Theology program 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. How long does a Diploma in Theology take? The Diploma in Theology is a three year program. Who studies in the Diploma in Theology? Most students in the Diploma in Theology program have been sent by their churches to train as pastors or priests. There are also some private students. What is studied in the Diploma in Theology? The Diploma in Theology includes classes in biblical and doctrinal studies, church history and Christian education, practical ministry (including Gospel and culture), translation principles and English skills. Who teaches the Diploma in Theology? The main lecturers for the Diploma of Theology include Ps Fiama Rakau, Ps Shem Tamara, Ps Selerick Michel, Mr Glen Connor, Fr John Hinge, Fr Joseph Tagara, Paula Levy, Ps Masia Nato, Ps Philip Baniuri, plus guest lecturers. What else does the Diploma in Theology involve? In addition to the academic areas of study, the program aims to develop the students spiritual maturity and willingness to learn as disciples of Christ. It helps them to become motivated and resourceful. Students are taught evangelism, discipleship, and preaching, together with skills necessary to undertake various ministries necessary for the good health and building up of Christ s church. At all points of the program, students are to urged to reflect biblically and contextually on the issues of today in the Pacific. They are encouraged to relate God s word to people at all levels of the community, church, and nation, with a zeal and compassion for those who are lost without Christ. Prospectus Talua Ministry Training Centre p. 11 September 2011
What other activities do Diploma of Theology students do? Diploma of Theology students join together in choir, Sunday School preparation, gardening, sport, and outside work. Three weekends per term they do Field Education. What is the Foundation Year? The Foundation Year is a one year program of intense preparation for Bachelor of Ministry degree studies. What is studied in the Foundation Year? The Foundation Year 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 accreditation do people get at the end of the Foundation Year? Students who complete the Foundation Year program receive a Certificate of Participation in Foundation Studies from Talua. Foundation students who successfully pass the TELSA Test administered during the Foundation Year are eligible to apply for admission to the Bachelor of Ministry degree program. What is the TELSA Test? The TELSA Test is Talua s English Language Skills Assessment test. This test is given to Foundation Year students to see whether their skills are at a high enough level to undertake the Bachelor of Ministry degree program. It is comparable with the University of South Pacific s ELSA test. The TELSA test is not set by Talua staff, and it is marked independently by markers of the University of South Pacific entrance exam to ensure that there is no favouritism in admission to the degree program, and to ensure that people enrolling in the Bachelor of Ministry have the skills they will need to succeed in the program. Who can do the Foundation Year? This program is not for the faint-hearted. It is a rigorous year and demands serious application to studies. Prospectus Talua Ministry Training Centre p. 12 September 2011
Men and women who have completed year 12 or 13 high school and wish to be considered for the Bachelor of Ministry program may apply for the Foundation Year. People who have completed a Diploma in Theology or Missiology at Talua or elsewhere may also apply. Entrance is subject to an entrance test which identifies which applicants have achieved Yr 12 or 13 educational skills. Can people who are not pastors enrol in the Foundation Year? Yes. Can people who are already pastors enrol in the Foundation Year? Yes. Does acceptance into the Foundation Year program mean automatic acceptance into the Bachelor of Ministry program? No. Foundation Year students need to get a band 3, 4, or 5 in the TELSA test if they want to continue to Bachelor of Ministry studies. They must also achieve in the other areas of the course at a sufficiently high level to demonstrate that that they can handle Bachelor level studies. How often is the Foundation Year course offered at Talua? At present the Foundation Year is offered every second year. There was an intake in 2009 and 2011. The next intake is planned for 2013. Who teaches the Foundation Year students? In 2011the lectures were: Rosemary Williamson, Dr Andrew Williamson, Ps Shem Tamara, Ps Philip Baniuri, Ps Masia Nato, Fr. Joseph Tagara, Mr Glen Connor, and visiting lecturer, Roger Stonehouse. What is the Bachelor of Ministry? 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. How long is the Bachelor of Ministry? The Bachelor of Ministry takes four years, including the preparatory and probationary Foundation Year. It is a strongly academic program, requiring a high level of commitment and self-discipline. What is the purpose of the Bachelor of Ministry program? Higher education is a prominent feature of modern Vanuatu. Vanuatu has 15,000 Year 10 students, 10,000 Year 12 students, and an increasing number of university graduates. The Bachelor of Ministry is designed to help the church provide effective leadership for educated people, as well as recruit young educated people for Christian ministry. Vanuatu is in the midst of a rapidly changing social environment. Where there is a faithful focus on Jesus Christ, an undergraduate education can help pastors and other Christian leaders to Prospectus Talua Ministry Training Centre p. 13 September 2011
respond to the changing needs of the church and society in a reasoned, creative, and faithful way. What ministry will graduates of the program perform? Graduates of the program may probably undertake a range of ministry roles, but the primary focus of the program is on pastoring. It is a sister program to the Diploma with much the same content and aims. The Bachelor of Ministry goes deeper and broader in the same areas, dealing with multiple points of view with fair-minded, reasoned judgment, subject to the Word of God. Beside pastoring, graduates may become school chaplains, a teacher in a Bible College, a teacher at Talua, a teacher of Religious Education in the schools, a writer of Christian resources, or a community worker. The program will also prepare some graduates to go on to Masters degree studies that would prepare them to teach in the Bachelor of Ministry program or undertake Bible translation. How often is the degree program offered at Talua? At present the Bachelor of Ministry program is offered every second year. There was an initial intake in 2010 and the next intakes are planned for 2012 and 2014 for those who have successfully completed Foundation Year with a band of 3, 4, or 5 in the TELSA test. Who teaches in the Bachelor of Ministry program? The Bachelor of Ministry is presently taught by Ps Philip Baniuri, Ps Shem Tamra, Dr Andrew Williamson, Glen Connor, Ps Masia Nato, Fr Joseph Tagara, Rosemary Williamson, and guest lecturers such as Dr Graham Redding on worship, Roger Stonehouse on psychology for ministry, Dr Ken Nehrbass on cultural anthropology, and Chris Balzer on systematic theology, and Allan Canavan on Descriptive Linguistics. Who can apply to enrol in the Bachelor of Ministry program? Students who have completed the Foundation Year program and achieved a band 3, 4, or 5 on the TELSA Test may apply for admission to the degree program. Some of these students will already be pastors, and some will not be. Providing they satisfy the above requirements, the program accepts experienced pastors who come to sharpen their skills and prepare for specialised ministry. It also accepts pastoral candidates whose church sends them to train for the ordained ministry, as well as private students who desire to understand the Bible better so that they can serve Christ in whatever they do. Prospectus Talua Ministry Training Centre p. 14 September 2011
What is studied in the Bachelor program? Like the Diploma, the core of the program consists of Bible, theology, pastoral studies, and historical subjects. Throughout the program students relate what they are learning to their home island, their church, and the national context. One seminar unit in particular focuses on Gospel, culture, and contextual theology. Support studies include Reasoning skills, Academic Writing, Linguistics, Cultural Anthropology, and Psychology or Sociology. A few electives are offered, including New Testament Greek. Students are required to spend about forty hours per week in class and study, and about five hours per week in Field Education. How does Field Education fit in with the degree program? Pastoral candidates in the Bachelor of Ministry program participate in field education with the Diploma students. Students in the Bachelor of Ministry program who are pastors and have had extensive parish ministry experience undertake field education projects in consultation with the coordinator of the program. These projects are designed to develop skills in particular areas of ministry which they wish to concentrate on. These may include, for example, school chaplaincy, children s ministry, literature production such as the Vanuatu Bible Commentary project, and designing and teaching Bible school curriculum. Private students in the Bachelor of Ministry undertake a program of Field Education in consultation with the Bachelor of Ministry coordinator. What is the Diploma in Missiology? The Diploma of Missiology equips men and women to become missionaries taking the gospel of Jesus Christ to countries in the Pacific region and beyond. It provides training in leadership in cross-cultural contexts and focuses on cross-cultural servanthood. It equips men and women to properly apply the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the people of the nations God sends them to. Prospectus Talua Ministry Training Centre p. 15 September 2011
How long does the Diploma in Missiology take? Students who already have a Diploma in Theology (either from Talua or another theological college) will take two years to complete the Diploma in Missiology. Students who do not have a Diploma in Theology will take three years. When is the next intake for the Diploma in Missiology? The next intake into the Diploma of Missiology program is planned for 2013. What are the entrance requirements for the Diploma of Missiology? Good Christian character and appropriate educational achievement. Appropriate educational achievement may be a Diploma in Theology from Talua (or its equivalent from another college), a one year certificate in mission or the completion of year 12 or 13. Applicants who meet these standards will be considered. What classes do students in the Missiology program take? Students in the Missiology course do missiological studies as well as study the Bible, theology and history from the perspective of Christian mission. Who teaches in the Missiology program? Ps Roy Yosef is the co-ordinator for the Diploma of Missiology and teaches many of the subjects. Other subjects are taught by Talua staff or visiting lecturers. What is the Women s Program? The Women s Program is designed for the wives of students who are enrolled at Talua. It 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 assists women to acquire and develop practical skills. How long does the Women s Program take? The students are awarded a certificate for their studies at the end of two or three years. When does the Women s Program meet? Classes run in the mornings on Mondays to Fridays. In the afternoons, the women join with Prospectus Talua Ministry Training Centre p. 16 September 2011
the rest of the study community in Choir, Sunday School preparation, Gardening, Sport, and outside work. Three weekends per term they join their husbands on Field Education. What classes are taken by students in the Women s Program? Students in the Women s Program take a wide variety of courses designed to enhance their understanding of the Bible and capacity to preach, to increase their ability to support their husbands in parish ministry, to help them in their roles as wives and mothers, to improve their understanding of health and nutrition and to develop their craft skills Who teaches in the Women s Program? Mama Namlegi Rakau is the co-ordinator of the Women s Program and teaches many of the subjects. In addition, other classes are taken by Talua lecturers and occasionally by visiting helpers. Can wives of students participate in the other programs at Talua? If women have sufficient educational background and if they wish, they are encouraged to study in the Diplomas, Foundation Year, or Bachelor of Ministry programs. They may prefer to take just one or two subjects each term alongside their Women s Program, in which case they will graduate with the Women s Program Certificate. Alternatively, they may undertake the full Diploma in Missiology, Diploma in Theology, Foundation Year, or Bachelor of Ministry program. What are the program fees? The fee structure proposed to the 2011 General Assembly is as follows. The total yearly fees for the Diploma of Theology and the Diploma of Missiology range from 102,900 vatu for a single student, to 177,980 vatu for a married student with a wife and three children. The difference is due to the costs of food allowance, the women s program, and accommodation. Notice, for married people this includes the cost of the women s program. The total yearly fees for the Foundation Year and Bachelor of Ministry range from 278,250 vatu for a single student to 349,400 for a married student with three children. These fees include the cost of the women s program for the spouse. They also include the cost of a low energy computer for each student, a book allowance, internet costs, and other administrative costs such as flying in guest lecturers or repairing computers. These costs drop 35,000 after the Foundation Year since students already have their computer. Thanks to Rosemary Williamson and Roger Stonehouse for their work on the 2011 Talua Prospectus! Editor, Dr Andrew Williamson, Dean of Studies Prospectus Talua Ministry Training Centre p. 17 September 2011