Diploma of Christian Ministry and Theology (30773QLD)

How long? Two years (incl. 1 year to complete prerequisite Certificate IV in Christian Ministry and Theology)

How much?

Tuition

$2,700

(Note: The six weeks of Mission placement at the start of term 3 is NOT included)

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Course Details:

Module 1: GROWING WITH GOD

SPIRITUAL PERSPECTIVES including ‘Search For Intimacy’

There is nothing more important than a healthy personal relationship with God. In ‘Spiritual Perspectives’ students will be encouraged to develop personal disciplines that are characteristic of true disciples of Jesus Christ. Topics include: Prayer, Biblical Meditation, Issues of the Heart and Personal Devotions. Included in this subject is the program ‘Search For Intimacy’. Sex is a part of life. Managed rightly, it is a profound gift. Managed poorly, it is a source of pain and distress. People need more than rules about sex; they need a Theology of Sex that empowers them to live successfully in a highly sexualised world. This course is directed at the needs of young singles. Session Topics include: Welcome to the War Zone, The Origin of Sex, The Power of Sex, Six Empowering Principles, Deadly Dating.

PASTORAL CARE – HELPING PEOPLE

‘Pastoral Care’ will equip students to offer help with practical skills to supplement the guidance and enlightenment of the Holy Spirit and the truth of the Word of God. As well as learning about the specific skills and qualities needed to be an effective helper, the students will consider various counselling models and find one, or a combination of several, which they are comfortable to use. The second part of the course looks more specifically at targeted topics. Students will be required to implement what they learn and record actual helping sessions as part of this course. Opportunity will be given for debriefing on practical sessions. Students will be taught to recognise their limitations as lay counsellors. Topics covered in this subject are - Discipleship Counselling, The Qualities of a Christian Helper, The Communication Process, The Skills of a People Helper, Conflict Resolution, Counselling Models, Cautionary Issues and Specialist Areas of Counselling Relevant to Youth Today, such as: Anger, Grief, Loneliness, Trauma, Depression and Suicide, Eating Disorders, Self Harm and Abuse.

Module 2: STUDYING THE BIBLE

BIBLICAL STUDIES: B including ‘Old Testament Survey’

This subject builds upon the skills and knowledge gained in ‘Biblical Studies: A’. Students will use their hermeneutic and exegetical skills by focusing on the Book of Romans. The Biblical Studies subject includes an Old Testament Survey which focuses on each book of the Old Testament with an emphasis of understanding the books background, structure and key theological teachings.

Module 3: UNDERSTANDING THE CHURCH

CHURCH IN FOCUS: B incl. Christian Doctrine: B

This subject builds upon the teachings of ‘Church In Focus: A’ and goes deeper and looks in more detail at the Beliefs, Structures, Practices and Purposes of the Christian Church. Students will explore various Christian denominations and traditions which will enable students to understand the place of the church Biblically, Historically and Functionally. Included are studies of Basic Christian Theology including.

CHURCH HISTORY

This subject covers the history of the Christian Church, from the times of Christ and the Apostles through to the current era. The course will look at both the positive and negative aspects of how the church has grown, with an emphasis on how the church has fulfilled the Great Commission of Jesus. The purpose of this course is to give the student a solid grasp of the history of the church along with a strong focus on the lessons we learn about Christian World Missions and ‘life applications’.

Module 4: COMMUNICATING THE GOSPEL

CREATIVE COMMUNICATION: B including ‘Christianity Explained’

As part of this subject students are taken through two popular resources; ‘Christianity Explained’ and ‘Christianity Explored’ to examine and develop practical tools for discipleship and evangelism. We examine in depth the nature of evangelism and how this relates to Christian social responsibility. Students are challenged to develop resources for effective, contemporary and Biblically based gospel presentations.

Module 5: DEFENDING THE FAITH

REASONS & ANSWERS: B

This subject builds upon ‘Reasons & Answers: A’. This subject will enable students to defend the Christian Faith by equipping them with evidence and arguments that may be articulated to a variety of audiences and cultural situations. For two thousand years Christianity has been attacked by a variety of opponents – from outside the Church and from inside the Church. ‘Reasons & Answers: B’ will expose students to a large variety of Apologetic specialists and field experts who present their evidences and arguments for defending the Christian Faith from non-Christian attacks and objections. This subject covers the major objections to Christian Theism.

Module 6: REACHING THE WORLD

IMPACTING PROGRAMS

As ministers of the Gospel, whether in our local communities, or abroad, many of our students are in positions of leadership. They may have the correct motivation and passion for what they are doing, but often their program choices and relational decisions are based upon their own past experiences, which may be good, or not so good. The ‘Impacting Programs’ subject is designed to equip our students to be outstandingly effective workers and leaders, both here in Australia and overseas, because all that they do is under-girded, not only with prayer, but also with knowledge of what is most appropriate for the age and stage of the people they are delivering their programs to. In the past, students have designed programs for children, teens, slum dwellers and women in India.

MISSION PLACEMENT

This component of the course is designed to give students the opportunity to get first hand mission/ministry experience through six weeks of active mission service with an approved organisation. Students will develop an understanding of the importance of overseas and local missions, which will encourage participants to either become a missionary, or to develop a love and passion for mission as a future financial supporter on into the future. This component will involve: community research in conjunction with the agency/provider, interviewing skills, procedures and protocols to liaise with communities and stakeholders and will culminate with a post-mission debrief.

Module 7: LEARNING PRACTICAL SKILLS

NUTS & BOLTS: B

This subject builds upon the knowledge and skills learnt in ‘Nuts & Bolts: A’. Many practical skills and abilities will be taught and developed in this subject, including: Communication skills, Presentation skills, Business protocols and Administrative skills & techniques.