Postgraduate Coursework Units
Please see below the Doctor of Ministry/Master of Theological Studies units for 2020. Unless specified, each unit can be taken at level 8 or 9.
TH017: Preaching the Atonement and the Doctrine of God
Peter Adam
virtual delivery | 20-23 April
This unit, undertaken as part of the Annual Ridley Preachers’ Conference, will explore the biblical understanding of the atonement and how this crucial doctrine can best be communicated in the contemporary context. Present-day questions and points of debate relating to the atonement will be evaluated, as well as how a deeper understanding of its significance is vital for life and ministry in the 21st century.
PC023: Professional Supervision for Ministry Workers
Geoff Broughton and Len Firth
28/29 Feb and virtual delivery: 14-15 May
PC024: Advanced Professional Supervision for Ministry Workers
Geoff Broughton and Len Firth
virtual delivery | 31 Jul/1 Aug and 18/19 Sep
These two units will equip pastors and church leaders to promote ministry development in others. The units will present a range of theories and models in professional supervision in pastoral contexts and will provide practical training in the skills of professional supervision. Students enter the program as postgraduate professionals, and whilst engaged in their own supervision and supervising of one or two supervisees in the context, integrate the skills and knowledge they will learn in the unit. Professional Supervision for Ministry Workers is a prerequisite for Advanced Professional Supervision for Ministry Workers.
DM035: Practice Framework for Children’s and Youth Ministry
Graham Stanton
virtual delivery | 22-26 Jun
This unit equips students to develop a framework for professional practice in children’s and youth ministry that integrates theological commitments and contextual understanding with ministry practice. Grounded in methodologies for contextual and applied theology, the unit explores the implications of major topics in theology for how we engage contemporary issues in gospel mission among children and young people.
NT204: New Testament Seminar (Interpreting and Preaching Philippians and Philemon)
Mike Bird
virtual delivery | 24-28 Aug
This unit presents a study of Paul’s Letters to the Philippians and to Philemon with a view to unpacking their background, main themes, exegeting the text, mining for homiletical tips, relevance for theology, and contemporary application. Students will gain a good grasp of these two epistles as well as Paul’s biography and theology, and will be better equipped to preach and apply these two letters in their own ministry context.
PE016: Contemporary Issues in Apologetics
Scott Harrower and John Dickson
virtual delivery | 24-28 Aug
This unit equips students to develop a framework for engaging theologically and pastorally with the problems of horrendous evils and their traumatic aftereffects. Grounded in trinitarian theology, the unit responds to major contemporary critiques of God’s existence given suffering and evils in the world. Students will be encouraged to become living evidence of God’s existence and loving care for survivors of trauma in their own contexts.
EM030: Gospel, Church and Australian Culture
Tim Foster
online | semester two
What ‘vision for life’ does the gospel offer each of the sub-cultures in Australian society? How do we discern the values of the cultures we serve and engage them in the light of the coming kingdom? This unit will provide the tools to help us engage in the process of contextualisation, with a special focus on the Australian context. Assessment is practical, allowing students to develop a framework and gospel vision for the culture of their choice. Students will explore the nature of culture, its influence and how to discern a cultural narrative, the nature of the gospel, and the principles, process and limitations of contextualisation.
AS001: Introduction to Research Methods
designed by Mike Bird, Diane Hockridge and Richard Trist
online | semester 1, 2 or 3
MTS students wishing to continue into a research degree may choose to enrol in Introduction to Research Methods to learn the skills of academic research in a theological context. Doctor of Ministry candidates are required to complete a unit of Research Methods which introduces the ministry research candidate or practical theologian to the basic options that are available and used in human or social research today. During this unit, the researcher is introduced to the most commonly used qualitative methodologies as well as a range of ways to source and process the data upon which a compelling thesis may later be built. While no prior knowledge is presumed, by the end of this unit the committed candidate will be able to make their contribution as an authentic researcher of human experiences related to Christian ministry or mission.
Sin and Evil: Ridley Mega-Intensive – Roy Ciampa and Ridley Faculty (2021)
A week-long intensive that dives deep into the theme of sin and evil, allowing you to look at the questions from multiple perspectives (bible, theology, ethics, history). You will consider the implications for your ministry, developing points of application with your peers. Featuring an international speaker, Ridley faculty and a rich and varied program.
Mega-Intensive announcement
Due to the COVID-19 Health Crisis, we have decided to postpone the Mega-Intensive until 2021.
Instead, we will be offering students and members of the community the opportunity to participate in two accredited virtual intensive units.
We’re excited to announce that Scott Harrower will run the first unit on Public Christianity with talks featuring John Dickson. Mike Bird will run the second unit on Philippians and Philemon. These two accredited units will run in place of the original date for the Mega-Intensive from the 20-24 August 2020. These intensive units are a flexible and accessible study mode for students near and far, as well as auditors seeking to undertake the unit for professional or personal development.
For those wanting to explore these topics but not enrol in the unit, we will also be hosting a one-day conference called Ridley+. The Conference will explore these topics through a series of talks and discussions featuring Scott Harrower, Mike Bird and John Dickson.
You can find further information about the content of the units and how to enrol here. Please keep an eye on our website and Facebook page for more details about our Ridley+ conference.
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