Pre-requisites

BB524.306 Introduction to the Bible TH507.306 Foundations for Faith

Co-requisites

None.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, the student will be able to:

Unit Description

The unit commences with an examination of the nature of ministry from a theological perspective.

A review of ministry in the early Christian communities, unity and diversity in the New Testament experience of ministry and functions of ministry in the New Testament. Comparisons are then made of contemporary ministry settings having identified key theological motifs and principles.

The theological foundations of the church in ministry are assessed including the role of the whole church in ministry.

The practical application of specific ministry areas is analysed on the basis of the call to ministry. This is made in the following traditional areas: towards a theology of ordination; the clergy-lay debate; what professional ministers do and why; and women in ministry.

An important area in the unit is the Australian context for ministry. Understanding Australian culture by developing historical perspectives complements the outworking of ministry foundations. Secularism and nominalism, ethnicity and multiculturalism; denominationalism and ecumenism are assessed and utilised to construct contextual theologies.

Ministry in the local context is explored. The student examines local culture and history in ministry development. Issues including popular religion and ministry response; moral and social-ethical imperatives in ministry and management and financial accountability and integrity are closely examined.

At the conclusion of this unit, the student is expected to determine a theological basis for a given ministry setting and to implement a plan for ministry which demonstrates theological reflection.

Teaching Strategies

Teaching strategies include lectures, tutorials, weekend schools and presentation of instructional material in the form of printed documentation, OHP, DVD, video and audio tape and on-line interaction. Students also learn by class discussion, personal study, preparation of assignments and assessment comments on their work.


Unit offerings

Face to face: (Every 2nd Year (Odd), Semester 2)
Online: (Every 2nd Year (Even), Semester 2)

Please note

The Unit Offerings listed above are a guide only and the timetable for any year is the final authority. The College may vary offerings based on demand, regulatory requirements, continual improvement processes or other conditions.

This unit may be available in different modes of delivery i.e. online and face-to-face as listed above. The unit content will not differ between these modes of delivery. There will possibly be a difference in the schedule and/or the prescribed assessment tasks, however both will cover and assess the same content.