formation for ministry

Study for an MCD award can lead to further study and formation for endorsed ministry within of Churches of Christ. This can occur as students further explore their faith and call to Christian ministry in a journey with others. The process usually requires a minimum commitment of four years. Under normal circumstances undergraduate students will complete an MCD Bachelor of Theology and a Graduate Diploma in Ministry or Theology. Graduate students will complete a Master of Divinity and a Graduate Diploma in Theology.

Students can choose their elective units to focus on the kind of ministry they desire to undertake - in a local church, cross-cultural mission, youth ministry, chaplaincy or an emerging form of ministry.

The Ministry Formation process is complete when the student:

1. Is recommended for endorsement by a Ministerial Assessment Panel operating under the auspices of Churches of Christ in Victoria and Tasmania,
2. Successfully completes a minimum of two years of student ministry experience that includes at least one year of Supervised Field Education and,
3. Completes a course of study approved by the Mission and Ministry Board of Churches of Christ in Victoria and Tasmania.

Application for admission to the Ministry Formation stream occurs during the first year of study.

Persons who are seek endorsement as ministers within Churches of Christ will engage in a precise program of ministry formation. This program involves four primary stages or phases,

1. A year of discernment (during which a formal application is made);
2. A year of theological reflection on ministry (which involves a 16 hour per week placement);
3. An SFE (Supervised Field Education) year (which involves a 16 hour per week placement);
4. A Year of consolidation (which involves a supervised ministry placement).

The list below gives an overall map of key events that will mark the steps towards endorsement. The chart is designed simply to provide significant staging points in the overall process.