The Centre for Children’s and Youth Ministry training program connects trainee, church, and Ridley in order to establish sustainable children and youth ministries in local churches.
The program is ideal for children’s and youth ministry leaders taking the first step in formal theological education, and for church workers and team leaders developing their theological reflection for ministry with children and young people. Below are two CYM Training Program outlines for the Undergraduate Certificate of Ministry and Diploma/Graduate Diploma courses. Students will develop key skills in four main areas: college, church, community and coaching.
College
Students complete an Undergraduate Certificate of Ministry, Diploma of Ministry, or Graduate Diploma of Divinity, over two years (see below for recommended study pathways).
Study one to three units per semester in a combination of intensive mode, weekly classes on campus, and through Ridley online. *FEE-HELP loans available.
Full-time students (enrolled in a minimum of 36 credit points per semester) may be eligible for Centrelink allowances such as AUSTUDY, ABSTUDY, New Start and Youth Allowance.
Church
Work in a children’s or youth ministry placement in a local church for one to four days per week.
Ministry placements, including role-descriptions, supervision, and remuneration are arranged in consultation with and approved by Ridley.
Church leaders receive support from Ridley to provide a rich and effective training environment.
Community
Connect with fellow trainees in weekly Children’s and Youth Ministry Vocational Mentoring Group
Trainees become part of the Co-oP, the Ridley Children’s and Youth Ministry Community of Practice, connecting with children’s and youth ministry practitioners
Coaching
Trainees receive individual coaching for the duration of the program from a trained children’s/youth ministry coach connected with Ridley
Undergraduate Certificate of Ministry contains a total of four units. Duration: Two years, one unit per semester. This equates to approximately one day per week of study; up to five days per week of ministry.
Year 1
Semester One DM037 – Foundations for Children’s and Youth Ministry (extensive)
Semester Two DM032 – Personal Formation for Children’s and Youth Ministry (intensive)
Year 2
Semester One DM011 Youth in the Churches (Intensive) or DM031 Skills for Children’s and Family Ministry (Online)
Semester Two (Biblical studies) Introduction to Biblical Interpretation (BB002) or Old Testament Foundations (OT001) or Old Testament Prophets and Writings (OT002) or Jesus and the Gospels (NT001) or Early New Testament Church (NT002) or New Testament Overview (NT003)
Diploma of Ministry/Graduate Diploma of Divinity Duration: Two years. First-year: three days per week of study; up to three days per week of ministry. Second-year: one day per week of study; up to five days per week of ministry. *Centrelink benefits available in the first year (provided they’re enrolled in a minimum 36 credit points each semester) for eligible candidates.*
Combined units in children’s and youth ministry
DE037: Foundations for Children’s and Youth Ministry
DE032: Personal Formation for Children’s and Youth Ministry
Specialised units in either Children’s Ministry OR Youth Ministry
DE031 Skills for Children’s and Family Ministry or DM011 Youth in the Churches
Children’s and Youth Ministry Field Education
DE016/DE017 Children’s or Youth Ministry Field Education
Theology
TH005: Foundational Christian Beliefs for CYM (Online with weekly tutorial)
Biblical studies (any three of the following)
BB002: Intro to Biblical Interpretation (on-campus only)
OT001, OT002: Old Testament Foundations, Old Testament Prophets and Writings
NT001, NT002, NT003: New Testament Overview, Jesus and the Gospels, Early New Testament Church
Scholarships are available to help establish new student placement positions for up to ten hours a week over two or three year period. For more information, please contact Graham Stanton on g.stanton@ridley.edu.au.
Application Process For students wanting to undertake the program
Complete the Ridley College online application process.
If you have a ministry placement in mind, please direct the church to complete the application process for Ministry Placements. Alternatively, we will work with you to find a suitable ministry placement once you are accepted into the program. Note that acceptance into the program does not guarantee placement in a paid-position in an approved training centre.
Ministry placement providers
Contact Centre for Children’s and Youth Ministry Director (g.stanton@ridley.edu.au) to apply to become an approved ministry training centre.
Provide a proposed role-description (including details of supervision and remuneration arrangements), and Insurance Certificate of Currency.
If you have a prospective trainee in mind, please direct them to complete the Ridley College online application process. Alternatively, once you are approved as a ministry training centre we will work with you to find a suitable ministry trainee. Note that acceptance as an approved training centre does not guarantee finding a suitable ministry trainee.
