MIN Subjects

In this introductory subject, students will explore a broad variety of topics that form the very basis of pastoral ministry. Primarily, students will consider contemporary pastoral models that connect academic reflection with the real world. Topics discussed will range from defining ministry, calling and ordination to conflict resolution, and being effective in caring for others. Students will also be provided with ample opportunity to engage creatively with these topics to make connections with their own contexts.

Unit Content

Curriculum Objective

This unit is an introduction to the practice of ministry. It is also an opportunity to overview the biblical and theological foundations of ministry. Common aspects of ministry will be considered.

Outcomes

1. Outline a biblical basis for pastoral ministry;
2. Identify the breadth of issues relevant to pastoral ministry;
3. Describe the convergence of life journey, spiritual experiences and ministry opportunities in developing pastoral ministry
4. Differentiate between various facets of pastoral ministry;
5. Describe pastoral care in line with various relevant models and theories
6. Identify and distinguish pastoral issues as they relate to the well-being of the congregant, pastor, congregation and community

Subject Content

1. Pastoral Care
2. Pastoral Counselling
3. Conflict Resolution
4. Pastoring in Postmodernism
5. Spiritual Health of the Minister
6. Human Sexuality and the Minister
7. Building Effective Structures
8. Calling, Ordination, and Women

Ever wondered if there were other ways to express faith, apart from lifting your hands during worship? Would you like to deepen the spirituality of your local Christian community, but find yourself hesitating, uncertain of the appropriate boundaries? Students with these questions and more will find themselves challenged as they partake in this foundational unit, designed specifically to introduce charismatic and Pentecostal Christians to the broader history of Christian spiritual approaches. In doing so, students will have a chance to connect with their heritage and participate in a broad range of spiritual exercises practiced by the wider body of Christ throughout history.

Unit Content

Curriculum Objective

This unit introduces students to traditional and contemporary Christian approaches to Spirituality. It focuses particularly on the way in which pentecostal/charismatic movements have experienced God.

Outcomes

1. Describe and experience a range of spiritual disciplines for the purpose of developing individual and corporate spirituality;
2. Indicate an ability to extend approaches to the experience of God beyond those dominant in Pentecostal and charismatic movements;
3. Describe an understanding of traditional and contemporary expressions of spirituality, including indigenous spirituality;
4. Acquire a theological, biblical and historical knowledge of the nature and practice of Christian spirituality;
5. Describe the richness and diversity of historic, Christian spirituality and prayer from different denominational backgrounds;

Subject Content

1. What is spirituality
2. What is prayer
3. Scripture and prayer
4. What is spiritual direction
5. Work and rest
6. What is Pentecostal and charismatic spirituality
7. What are spiritual disciplines
8. What is Australian indigenous spirituality

This course unit offers the student an introduction to the philosophy of church health and management.

Unit Content

Outcomes

1. Demonstrate a knowledge of the needs of different ministry contexts, e.g. preaching, worship, youth, etc.;
2. Explain and compare various models and structures of church management;
3. Identify compliance issues needing to be considered in regard to children’s work, insurances, staff, WHS, etc.;
4. Illustrate how pastoral skills developed can assist the local church to relate to the broader community;
5. Demonstrate an awareness of the roots—cultural, biblical, denominational —of the church growth and health phenomenon. This includes consideration of other Christian perspectives and understandings;
6. Demonstrate the ability to prepare strategies to enhance church growth and health within specific contexts;
7. Identify, develop and demonstrate personal skill sets required for pastoral ministry.

Subject Content

1. Introduction – different ministry contexts
2. Different models and structures of church management
3. Compliance issues
4. Engaging with the community
5. Cultural, biblical, denominational foundations of the church growth
6. Church growth strategies
7. Personal skills for ministry

The ‘E’ word: Evangelism – is a concept that can equally incite ‘excitement’ and ‘excruciation’. In this unit, extroverts and introverts alike will find themselves engaging with the historical, biblical and theological roots for communicating the Gospel and gaining the skills (along with the empowering of the Spirit) to communicate effectively. In doing so, students will explore ways to engage with a world where the acceptance of the Christian story is counter-cultural, as well as ways to connect the good news of the kingdom to contemporary social concerns.

Unit Content

Curriculum Objective

This unit is a practical examination of the history, theology, and practice of evangelism. It stresses the empowering role of the Holy Spirit in evangelism.

Outcomes

1. Analyze knowledge of the biblical, historical and theological foundations of communicating the Christian faith. This includes consideration of other Christian perspectives and understandings;
2. Demonstrate developing skills necessary to extend an evangelistic invitation, both in church and in personal interaction;
3. Verify the role and place of outreach and evangelism in the mission of the church;
4. Show an understanding of contextual frameworks that shape evangelistic communication, such as postmodernism, multiculturalism, etc.;
5. Develop an effective evangelistic ministry for specific demographic and philosophical contexts;
6. Identify a variety of resources to communicate faith, and enhance discipleship.

Subject Content

1. Biblical Patterns of Communicating the Gospel
2. Communication Theory
3. Power Evangelism in Context
4. Conversion Continuum
5. Cultural Relevance & The Post-Modern Condition
6. Becoming an Effective Communicator
7. The Australian Context – Diversity in Unity
8. Outreach Programs
9. Community Strategies
10. Obstacles to Communicating the Gospel
11. Cross-Cultural Communication of the Gospel
12. Social Issues and Communicating the Gospel

Have you ever wished that you could bottle the persuasiveness and power of your favorite preacher in order to supercharge your own sermons and see your congregation transformed? When it comes to sermons, the bridge between the first-century text and twenty-first-century context can often seem longer than 2000-odd years. If you want to discover what turns effective preaching into life-changing preaching and bring revelation to postmodern people that struggle with the Christian story, then look no further. Get ready to be equipped with the rhetorical tools in this unit to craft a message so powerful that it will be impossible for your audience to leave the pews unchanged.

Unit Content

Curriculum Objective

This course unit gives an opportunity to develop an understanding and practical application of communicating that has been learned in the foundational theological and biblical units of the first year. The unit addresses the relationship between exegesis and application, and contemporary communication theory and practice.

Outcomes

1. Demonstrate an ability to produce messages based on biblical and cultural exegesis
2. Develop and demonstrate advanced knowledge of contemporary tools and skills related to preaching, in order to deconstruct, modify and strengthen personal preaching skills;
3. Demonstrate an ability to provide in-depth constructive feedback to peer sermon presentations;
4. Demonstrate an understanding both of the contours of the biblical text and how to apply these to the needs of congregations in sermon delivery;
5. Discuss the significance of the place of preaching both within the Pentecostal and wider church traditions;
6. Exhibit an ability to analyze the integration of sermon construction and communication, including the consideration of other Christian perspectives and understandings.

Why don’t people always get healed when we pray for them? What is our responsibility in partnering with God for healing? What does it even mean to be well? What does it mean to be sick? Students undertaking this unit will have the opportunity to investigate the various perspectives on healing throughout the life of the church. Some of the big questions surrounding the ‘why’ of sickness, suffering, and death will also be grappled with. Further, practical skills will be discussed to care for people at these inevitable times of sickness, grief, and death.

Unit Content

Curriculum Objective

This unit addresses the phenomena and significance of healing in the life and ministry of the Christian church.

Outcomes

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the biblical, historical and theological foundations for the ministry of healing;
2. Develop an understanding of various denominational views regarding health, illness, and healing;
3. Demonstrate a broad knowledge of key people who have been associated with various areas of healing ministry;
4. Display an ability to critically analyze the integrated relationship between Christian ministries of healing, Christian chaplaincy and other care services provided to the sick and dying;
5. Demonstrate an understanding of alternate theodicies and their implications for an understanding of sickness and healing practices.

Subject Content

1. Personal Experiences of Healing
2. Developing a Biblical Basis for Healing Ministry
3. Issues of Healing in Spirit World Aware (animistic) Societies
4. The Case Against Christian Healing
5. Involvement in a Healing Service
6. Theological Considerations
7. Healing of the Whole Person
8. Ministry to the Sick and Dying

Why do we act the way we act? Why do we gather in certain social groups and not others? Have you ever wondered how our faith connects with society? Sociologists are those who study human social behavior and propose these questions. Students undertaking this unit will be introduced to the field of sociology with the aim to explore the trends and megatrends that have formed the Christian community and its practice.

Unit Content

Curriculum Objective

This course introduces students to a range of sociological thoughts and techniques and applies this to their own identity formation, societal frameworks and the church.

Outcomes

1. Demonstrate an ability to analyze one’s own identity formation within a social context;
2. Interpret the historical development of modernity in societies influenced by the enlightenment and its relationship to religion;
3. Appraise the role and value of the place of church within contemporary societies
4. Demonstrate a growing proficiency in the technical language and research skills required to analyze, problematize and investigate religious issues as mediated in public opinion;
5. Illustrate a relationship between societal frameworks and communal Christian structures, systems of belief and behaviors;
6. Demonstrate an ability to apply the theory of classical theorists in the sociology of religion within a Christian communal setting.

Subject Content

1. Sociology and Sociology of Religion
2. Sociology of Self
3. Sociology of Spirituality and Religious Commitment
4. Sociology of Christian Community and Church Membership
5. From Micro-to-Macro-Sociology
6. The Great Narratives I: Modernisation and Globalisation
7. The Great Narratives II: Secularisation
8. Social Research Methods
9. Foucault, Power, and Behaviour
10. Christ and Culture I: Fundamentalisms and the Religious Response to Modernity
11. Christ and Culture II: Religion and Mass Media
12. Society and Religion in Australia

Generation Y? Why? An effective ministry must always be grounded in love and understanding. The objective of this unit is to explore ways to build a deep and compassionate understanding of young people; their needs, pressures, and concerns. To do so, we must understand the context in which they grow up and the social norms that surround and form them. If you have a heart to minister more effectively to the next generation, this unique course will empower you to engage and make a dramatic difference with Gen Y and beyond.

Unit Content

Curriculum Objective

This course unit provides an introduction to the problems and prospects facing youth ministry in Australasia, including adolescent needs, pressures of sexuality, identity and community, para-church organizations and the basic skills of establishing youth-oriented programs in the local church.

Outcomes

1. Demonstrate a knowledge  of the biblical, historical and theological foundations for youth ministry including consideration of other Christian perspectives and understandings;
2. Explain the importance of understanding the themes and influences of contemporary pop culture;
3. Demonstrate ability to assess shifts in youth culture and youth ministry in Australia;
4. Based on personal involvement, analyze practical aspects of youth ministry;
5. Contrast the various sub-cultures which provide the context of youth ministry.

Subject Content

1. Theological and social foundations
2. History of youth ministry
3. Generation ministry within the vision of the church/strategic planning
4. Adolescent development
5. Adolescent world
6. Youth leadership and culture
7. Working with schools
8. Generation discipleship and missions
9. Adventure and camps/university campus ministry
10. Working with parents
11. Empowering young people
12. Youth Communications and evangelism

The Introduction to Children Ministry unit will encourage you to be like Horton. Our purpose is to protect, train and release our little people. We will be looking at the why the what and the how for children’s ministry.

Unit Content

Curriculum Objective

This unit introduces many of the key rationales, skills, principles, and considerations of children’s ministry.

Outcomes

1. Demonstrate a knowledge of the biblical and historical background for children’s ministry. This includes consideration of other Christian perspectives and understandings;
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the breadth of children’s ministry and discuss a variety of approaches to children’s ministry;
3. Demonstrate a variety of skills necessary for effective ministry to children;
4. Exhibit an understanding of the importance and methods of ensuring ministry is child-safe and child-friendly;
5. Demonstrate an ability to use administration, resourcing, and logistics necessary to facilitate an effective children’s event.

Subject Content

1. Biblical and historical background of children’s ministry
2. Children’s ministry in today’s contexts
3. Legal and ethical issues in children’s ministry
4. Skills and creativity in children’s ministry
5. Behavior management
6. Programming, administration, and logistics

Are you brave enough to explore the complex and often moody workings of the teenage psyche? Or the developmental stages of childhood?  If so, this is the unit for you! In this unit, students will engage with the forefront theories of childhood and adolescent development in relation to ministry – perfect for the frazzled parent, youth or children's pastor!

Unit Content

Curriculum Objective

This course unit is an examination of childhood and adolescent development. It considers the major theories of childhood and adolescent development and their implications for children's and youth ministry. 

Outcomes

1. Demonstrate the ability to relate to the biological, cognitive and social changes faced by children and adolescents;
2. Interpret the major developmental and psychosocial issues experienced by children and adolescents, including emotional health, identity formation, peer and family relationships, substance abuse and sexuality;
3. Analyze the forms of media that illustrate the journey of growing up;
4. Analyze problems encountered by children and adolescents in contemporary society and discuss approaches to working with those facing these problems;
5. Demonstrate the importance of childhood and adolescent development for targeted ministry;
6. Demonstrate an understanding of development theories, including Piaget, Erikson, and Kohlberg.

Subject Content

1. Physical, social and cognitive changes during adolescence
2. Identify the formation
3. Cognitive, psychosocial, moral and spiritual development during adolescence
4. Peer and family relationships
5. Dating, sexuality and gender issues
6. School and work during adolescence
7. Social problems of adolescents

Helen Reddy made headlines when her feminist anthem hit #1 on the Billboard Charts in 1972. Do you want to have the same empowering impact on women in your ministry context? This unit seeks to explore the place of women in Australasian society, both past, and present, inside and outside of the church. Particularly it will examine what is the place of women in ministry by drawing on key examples, to provide tools for women (and their supporters) to be released and successful in their ministry today.

Unit Content

Curriculum Objective

This subject examines the place and function of women in ministry, and the nature of ministry to women in Australasian society in general and Pentecostalism in particular from biblical, theological, historical, and cultural perspectives.

Outcomes

1. Critically evaluate the sociological and religious factors affecting gender roles throughout church history;
2. Discuss the role of the bible in the current debate over women in ministry and leadership;
3. Analyze the contexts in which female leaders operate in churches. This includes a particular focus on Pentecostal contexts;
4. Examine the place of women in contemporary church ministries.

Subject Content

1. Biblical foundations of women in ministry
2. The role of women in contemporary society
3. Feminism and the women’s movement’s
4. Theological and charismatic perspectives on women and ministry
5. Women in the formation and growth of Australian Pentecostalism
6. Challenges and possibilities for women ministers

This course unit offers the student an introduction to the philosophy of church health and management.

Unit Content

Outcomes

1. Demonstrate advanced knowledge of the biblical, historical and theological foundations of discipleship;
2. Explain the importance of discipleship in the practice of Christian ministry;
3. Analyze the process of growth in Christian maturity to identify key factors that can assist or impede;
4. Critique models that show the phases involved in the process of growth in  Christian maturity;
5. Explain the spiritual, interpersonal and social dynamics of discipleship within an Australian context;
6. Critique various strategies of discipleship in contemporary congregations.

Subject Content

1. Toward a definition of discipleship
2. Historical view of discipleship
3. Discipleship in the New Testament
4. Spiritual disciplines
5. Discipling new Christians
6. Discipleship of children
7. Towards a theology of discipleship

If you had the opportunity to plant a brand new church, what would it look like? What are the personnel and resources required? How does a new church meet the needs of its community? What characteristics and personal stamina are required? Students undertaking this unit will explore the essential need for new churches. It will assist students to develop a church-planting toolkit, by standing on the shoulders of key church planting practitioners, proven principles in the academic literature on entrepreneurship as well as wider historical-biblical-theological foundations of why we should plant churches.

Unit Content

Curriculum Objective

This course unit provides insight into biblical, historical and contemporary models of church planting, as well as the social and spiritual dynamics of church planting.

Outcomes

1. Demonstrate detailed knowledge of the historical, biblical and theological foundations for church planting;
2. Display an advanced understanding of the concept of needs-based, community-focussed church planting;
3. Critique past, present and potential future developments in church planting focusing on key characters and events
4. Compile and assess data that would indicate the need for new and revitalized churches;
5. Recognize and justify the value of church planting to the wider society.

Subject Content

1. The development and expansion of early Christianity
2. Biblical Models of church planting and growth
3. Various experiences in successful church planting across the world
4. Pentecostal church planting in Australasia
5. The complexities and differences between rural and urban church planting
6. Discussions with recent church planters
7. Planting and growing successful churches

How do I develop strong relationships, whether friendships, marriage or family? Should I get married or remain single? How do I deal with the changing dynamics of family and relationships through the life stages? If ever a unit was needed to clarify the confusion found in the ‘relationships’ section of the local Christian bookstore, this is it. Whether young, old, single, betrothed, married or unspecified, all are invited to come and explore the inner workings of relationships, marriage, and the family, as it has unfolded throughout history and wider society. Specifically, this unit aims to develop skills to strengthen your relationships and assist those you minister to in everyday life.

Unit Content

Curriculum Objective

This course unit explores the issues of marriage and family within society and more specifically within a church/Christian context. Biblical foundations and understandings are examined. The unit also considers the related areas of singleness and divorce.

Outcomes

1. Demonstrate an advanced ability to integrate appropriate communication skills and courses of action within a range of relational settings, including personal and ministry contexts;
2. Summarise and critique the characteristics and processes of various relationship models;
3. Develop and support a theological and biblical foundation for family ministry.  This includes consideration of other Christian perspectives and understandings;
4. Critique a range of family ministries implemented by churches and church agencies, including education, prevention, and strength-enhancing programs, crisis intervention, therapy, and family advocacy;
5. Critically evaluate the importance of healthy relationships as a criterion for church and church agency ministries, as well as assessing such ministries and programs from this perspective.

Subject Content

1. A Theological Foundation for Family Relationships
2. The Family as a Developing System.
3. Romance and Reality
4. Establishing a Strong Marriage
5. Christian Marriage
6. Parenting
7. Family Spirituality
8. Changing Gender Roles
9. Becoming an Authentic Sexual Self
10. Expressing love: Achieving Intimacy. Expressing anger: Negotiating Conflicts
11. Becoming Powerful through Empowerment
12. Through the Stress and Strain of Family Life
13. Complex Families in Contemporary Society

 Do you want to expand your toolbox in ministering to children and youth? Well, you’re in good stead! This unit will deepen your knowledge and skill base to specifically explore issues related to building viable communities of young people, which acknowledges and addresses relevant developmental stages. Further, it seeks to affirm the role and contribution of young people, plus children and youth workers within the local church and beyond.

Unit Content

Curriculum Objective

This advanced course builds on the earlier courses ‘Youth Ministry' or 'Children's Ministry' and considers the skills and knowledge for ongoing children and youth programs in the local church and beyond.

Outcomes

1. Assess the interplay of history and culture in the formation of children’s and youth ministry charismatic-Pentecostal context;
2. Appraise their own ministry and that of others;
3. Select and critique a range of academic sources reflecting upon the theories and practice of children’s and youth ministry;
4. Analyze the theological and historical foundations of children’s and youth ministry; this includes consideration of other Christian perspectives and understandings;
5. Formulate a research question or hypothesis related to a specific area of ministry;
6. Integrate ministry practice and academic reflection in the planning and production of a seminar paper

Subject Content

1. History of children’s and youth ministry
2. Culture in children’s and youth ministry
3. Theories and practice of children’s and youth ministry
4. Theological foundations of children’s and youth ministry
5. Practical contexts