FIND A CHRISTIAN
essential study tips
for effective time management
Financing your college education practical tips to ensure you are covered
COLLEGE 2012 Steps to finding the
RIGHT COLLEGE
Empower your local church! Discover how you can set up a Vision Bible College in your own church with a Vision Resource Centre • • •
A Vision Resource Centre is a “Local Church Bible College” or “Ministry Training Centre”, run by your local church and its ministry team using the resources of Vision Christian College. Our purpose is to assist in the task of “Equipping the saints for the work of the ministry, for building up the Body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12). When you become a Resource Centre students in your program also become distance education students of Vision. They study under your local supervision, using the dynamic curriculum developed by Vision.
For details on how to set up a Vision Resource Centre in your church contact: Phone: 02 9603 2077 Fax: 02 9603 3277 Email: contact@visioncolleges.net Web: www.visioncolleges.net
Vision International College Ph 02 9603 2077 Fx 96033277 E. Contact@visioncolleges.net W: www.visioncolleges.net Distance Education Bible College Be Prepared: for Ministry with Vision, Study from your place at your pace Enrol Today: in an accredited bible college and ministry training program Vision International College PO Box 84, Macquarie Fields, NSW, 2564. Christian Ministry and Theology
30771QLD Certificate III in Christian Ministry and Theology 30772QLD Certificate IV in Christian Ministry and Theology 30773QLD Diploma of Christian Ministry and Theology 30774QLD Advanced Diploma of Christian Ministry and Theology 30775QLD Graduate Certificate in Christian Ministry and Theology 30776QLD Graduate Diploma of Christian Ministry and Theology
Vision International College NTIS ID: 90862
Transform your world by degrees
Discover a dynamic partnership between your future profession and your Christian faith. Life is about flexibility, find out how CHC can help you integrate life and study to get you where you want to go.
Business
Education & Humanities
Social Sciences
Ministries
Study Theology – Explore Faith You can explore both Christian vocation and ministry whilst studying in an ecumenical and engaging environment, at Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) School of Theology. CSU accredited courses are recognised nationally and internationally. You can study full-time or part-time by distance education or on campus in Sydney or Canberra. Undergraduate, postgraduate and research higher degree courses are available in the areas of: • Ageing and Pastoral Studies • Ministry • Pastoral Counselling • Religious and Values Education • Theology Formation for ordination (Anglican or Uniting Church)
Contact us on 1800 334 733 or visit: www.csu.edu.au/courses/theology
F1986A
Editors Letter Welcome to the 2012 edition of Find a Christian College. Studying bible college is an amazing endeavour, yet sometimes all of the options out there when trying to find the right college can be overwhelming. In Australia and New Zealand, we are spoilt for choice. there are so many great places to study, and the colleges appearing within these pages are the perfect place to start. For others, it’s not bible college you’re looking for, but rather Christian educational faculties. From graphic design, to performing arts, thorugh to business administration, there are Christian colleges that do far more than just theology. So if you’re feeling the call to learn more about the bible - either for ministry purposes, or just to deepen your walk with God - or looking for a Christian college to do further study, i encourage you to read the editorial inside, and also click on the fantastic colleges listed. You’re only one click away from discovering more about what each college has to offer. Each organisation featured is not only reputable, but also long-standing. Collectively, they have the runs on the board in helping students, and literaslly tens of thousands
WHAT’S INSIDE 6 Christ at Tertiary level 8 Steps to finding the right college 10 10 Essential time management skills 14 Financing your college education 18 New Zealand teachers –
a new generation
22 Theology and Religious Studies 26 Grounded in the Word of God 29 Changeovers in life 30 An invitation to explore Christianity
of students have been through these organisations, so you can approcah them with confidence that God has the right option - just for you. I pray yopu enjoy uncovering God’s great plan for you in 2012. And don’t forget to enjoy the journey, knowing that God not only has the right place for you to study, but also a great future for you in Him. Lynn Goldsmith | Editor
Find a Christian College Guide 2012 | 5
Influence
Christ at Tertiary level Your lecturers are committed to your becoming the best person you can be. PROFESSOR GERARD MOORE explains...
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here is a bounty of riches when choosing to study at tertiary level in Australia. Universities and colleges abound, with a wide breadth of courses and a common regimen of academic standards. Fellow students are a diverse and interesting lot, too. It is an exciting time, including opportunities to enrich your faith and develop into mature adult Christians. But where to study? Don’t overlook the possibility of studying at a
Christian university or college; there are many of them. Academically they are held to the same standards of rigour and intellectual integrity as all Australian campuses. They also offer opportunities for fellowship and friendship with others on the same faith journey: faith and fun in one place! They often explicitly engage you as a learner and as a believer, bringing your professional training and faith development together. As well, worship, praise and prayer
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are able to be part of your tertiary experience. And don’t forget the faculty. Your lecturers are committed to your becoming the best person you can be. They will encourage your Christian living, engage you with the Scriptures, open to you the workings of God, and seek that you serve the poor and the needy. Assoc. Professor Gerard Moore School of Theology Charles Sturt University
Tabor College NSW
Dare to be different !
Talk to us about studying Theology, Ministry, Counselling
www.tabornsw.edu.au EMMAUS BIBLEÂ COLLEGE
Ignite your passion... study @ emmaus www.emmaus.edu.au
Find a Christian College Guide 2012 | 7
Choices
Steps to finding the RIGHT college
8 | Find a Christian College Guide 2012
Where to study for higher education is one of the most important decisions you will have to make. Here is some practical advice in choosing the right institution...
W
hen choosing a college, it can become quite overwhelming and at times, a little daunting. So, guidance is needed as you start your journey towards higher education. One of the first steps is to know who you are and where you would fit in. You need the right college to suit your personality and to ask some pertinent questions. You should decide whether you want to be in a small or large city, or close to home. Also consider whether you are happy with a large student body, and what extra-curricular subjects are available. Firstly, it is important to ask the question – why a Christian college? You need to determine that you want to pursue faith filled higher education. Consider how your faith suits the particular Christian colleges you are interested in. Do you want to choose a college that is affiliated with a particular denomination? But most importantly you need to ask God where He wants you to be and what college would be the best suited to the destiny He has for you. Make sure you seek good and right information when researching this important decision. There are so many colleges to choose from, and many decisions to be made. Search online for a list of the different Christian colleges that are available. You may find a college that offers the subjects you want to study but the college is in another state or far away from where you live. In this case you need to ‘shop around’ and be careful to be fully informed when thinking about moving away. If possible, go and visit the colleges you are interested in and talk to the Principal and student representatives. Many colleges can look good on paper but may not be suitable for you. Ask a lot of questions and don’t be worried about doing this. Try to see as much of the campus as you can. It would be good if you could sit in on a class and visit the chapel. Maybe you could interact with current students on Facebook and Twitter and view YouTube videos. There are student loans you can apply for if necessary. Do your homework on what is available and remember to keep to the deadlines the institutions have set. Try and apply as early as you can so you have enough time if you need to answer a lot of questions. There may be some colleges that you don’t think you would be admitted to. Don’t give up, apply anyway.
GREAT PLACE, GREAT PEOPLE,
GREAT HEARTS MINDS
www.bti.ac.nz Discover a career in Teaching, CounsellingFindor Social Work* today a Christian College Guide 2012 | 9 *Programme under development. Subject to approval processes late 2011.
Skill building
essential STUDY TIME management skills So you’ve decided to embark upon College life! Tom Mochal from ZDNet. com.au outlines the top 10 skills to get the most from your study...
H
ave you ever started the day with great ambitions and then realised at the end that you didn’t get anything done? It happens to everyone, but it happens to some people more often than others. Time management allows you to have a higher degree of control over what you do in a day, week, or month. Time management skills can help you spend the hours you have on what is most important to you. Organisational skills are easier for some people than others. For instance, all time management advice includes some form of writing down what you want to accomplish. For many people, this is easy and natural. Other people have difficulty creating lists and following through on them. It’s a left-brain/right-brain thing and has to do with whether your brain favors logic and structure or creative and unstructured thinking. Time management requires discipline. If you’re not prepared to be disciplined, you’re not going to be a very good manager of your own time. Here’s a top-10 list of time management techniques that I’ve employed myself. Notice that I didn’t call them ‘best practices’. However, they do work for me and can work for you as well.
1. Create a list of things to do each morning If you don’t keep track of what you want to accomplish, you’re not going to have a chance for effective time management. Create a to-do list at the beginning of each day or at the end of the prior day. The list can include business and personal items and can be put on paper, your workstation, PDA, etc. Refer to the list several times during the day. For example, if you have 10 minutes before a meeting, glance at your list. There might be an e-mail you wanted to send that would only take 10 minutes. When you complete each item, check it off. If you’re like me, you derive satisfaction from being able to check off an item as complete. 2. Write down all follow-up items on your list To keep track of new things that come up during the day, place them on your daily list. If your list is full and the activity can be completed tomorrow (or the next day), place it on your list for a day or two out. Have you ever wondered why people tell you they’ll do something and then don’t follow through? It’s because they don’t write it down. When I was a manager, I would often talk to people about work we needed to complete. I
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never trusted their memory. If they didn’t bring a pencil and paper, I gave them some so they could write down what needed to be done and the due date. 3. Carry forward unfinished work and follow up Now you have a list of work for the day, and you’ve added new items for follow-up during the day. What do you do with the things you haven’t completed at the end of the day? You carry them forward and add them to your list for tomorrow. But don’t be a procrastinator. You don’t want to carry an expanding list of activities from day to day to day. If the activity is important, get it done. If it’s not important, follow up with the person who’s expecting something from you and explain that the work hasn’t been completed. 4. Keep track of due dates Use your list to keep track of due dates. This includes commitments to work colleagues and friends. My experience is that people miss due dates more often than they hit them. If you’re not clear, ask when an activity needs to be completed, write it down, and then use time management skills to make sure the work is done on time. If you can’t meet the commitment, communicate that in a timely manner. 5. Create a list of priorities for this month and next I know many people make lists for today. How many make high-level lists of the things they need to do this month and next? Unless you have a transactional job where your time frames are always short-term, you need to stop at the beginning of each month and determine what you want to accomplish. These lists are obviously at a high level, but, again, they keep you focused on what you want to accomplish. As the month progresses, start adding items to your list for the next month. 6. Keep track of longer-term reminders Your things-to-do list isn’t going to help you for follow-ups you’ll need to remember in the distant future. For instance, you may tell a Find a Christian College Guide 2012 | 11
Skill building
colleague that you’ll follow up with him to check progress in two months. You need to have a way to keep track of this follow-up and to remind yourself two months in the future. I’ve always just used a calendar. Most online calendars have features for reminders. In fact, I place multiple reminders over multiple days, so that if I miss one, I’ll catch the reminder the next day. 7. Keep a clean desk I never knew of a good time manager who worked in a pigsty. In fact, it usually follows that people who have cluttered offices or cubicles aren’t very good time organisers. I don’t think you can be a good time manager when you spend a lot of time looking for stuff in a cluttered work environment.
8. Keep all of your current work in one area Over time, you may work on many separate activities and initiatives. Keep your things organised. I always keep all of my current work papers in one area where I can get at them easily. When I’m finished with a project or initiative, I move the folder elsewhere (see tip 9). 9. Purge files and documents you no longer need Here’s one that might startle you. For the past 10 years, I’ve had one file drawer where I keep all my papers from completed work initiatives. I keep adding new work folders to the front of the drawer, and when the drawer gets full, I throw out files from the back end. In other words, I never keep more files than can fit in one drawer.
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Contrast that to your system of keeping endless years of paperwork that no one cares about anymore and no one will ever care for again. Of course, I’m not talking about users’ manuals or reference material that you need. I’m talking about the work files you accumulate. And yes, once a year, I wish I could go back and find something I threw out. But I usually have the original documents online. 10. Back up online files and purge I have a similar philosophy about online documents. I would guess that 95 percent of what you have online in your work files probably has a shelf life of three months or less. I periodically back up my files to CD (or disk) and then go through and quickly delete all the older junk I don’t need anymore.
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Finances
Funding your
college education
14 | Find a Christian College Guide 2012
Gavin Martin offers some helpful advice on financing your college education...
C
ollege is a wonderful season in life. It’s an exciting time of knowledge acquisition and personal growth. Not to mention the opportunity to interact with interesting people from a range of backgrounds who often end up being life long friends and even spouses. Oh the good old days! Increasingly, the ‘good old days’ of college life are turning into the bad old days of poor spending habits, living for the now and debt accumulation that burdens graduates well after their college years. My challenge to you is to ‘be weird’: don’t follow the norm, stay debt free during your college years. Learn money management skills now while you are young and it will change your destiny. For many of us our first major debt is student loans — either in the form of Commonwealth HELP debt or bank loans. The trouble is, the debt accrues without us really thinking about it, and then, with the HELP debt in particular, we don’t have to think about repayments until we’re earning about $38,000 and the taxation department takes care of them. The fact is, by going down this route students are missing out on significant opportunities to get ahead. Yes, that’s right, get ahead during your college years. This is even more important for those pursuing Christian ministry, as these vocations are not renowned for paying well. If you pay your HECS fees upfront you save a massive 20% of the fee. Now that is worth writing home to mum about. If you have already incurred a HECS or HELP debt you can pay off lump sums of $500 or more and get a 10% discount. It may be not worth writing home to mum about but certainly well worth while anyway. So what can be done to avoid debt to fund your tertiary education? There are four major strategies: • Start saving now • Scholarships • Other income sources • Funding options Start saving for college now I don’t know how many kids get part time jobs as
Finances
soon as they are eligible but with the unemployment rate at the lowest it’s been in years there should be ample opportunity for diligent students to get a job at 14 years and 9 months. That’s what I did. I worked as a check out chap at a local supermarket before I turned 15 years old. It taught me so much about the ‘real’ world and enabled me to buy my first parcel of shares. There are many benefits to having a part time job. I was able to fund a 12 day voyage on the Young Endeavour tall sailing ship, spend a year in Sweden as a Rotary Youth Exchange Student and buy the toys that all teenage boys love. Years later while recruiting university graduates for a global consulting firm I quickly learned that graduates who worked through college are more attractive to employers. They have learnt responsibility in the work place and can balance work, family, sporting and social activities. A part time job will enable you to achieve these things and help you save for college education. If parents have the ability to fund a child’s college education, I’m all for it on two conditions - as long the parents don’t go into debt, and as long as the young person is taught financial responsibility. Failing to teach financial responsibility by completely supporting children through college may result in character flaws in the child. If a student is entirely supported by parents he is sheltered from the ramifications of his actions, and may not care how many subjects he fails, how many times he changes course or how much money is wasted on extended time at college. Why should he when Mum and Dad are paying? The best place to invest savings set aside for education depends on the time frame. I recommend a high
Learn money management skills now while you are young and it will change your destiny interest paying, low frills, and no fees, at call, internet or phone banking account with a bank or quality financial institution. If you have four to seven years to invest I would invest at least some of the savings into a Listed Investment Company such as Australian Foundation Investment Company, an Exchange Traded Fund or an index fund with international diversification. Scholarships Scholarships are a great way to fund tertiary education. The Commonwealth Learning Scholarships (CLS) program provides financial support to eligible undergraduates to assist with higher education costs. There are two scholarships – one for general education costs and one for accommodation costs. The scholarships are administered on behalf of the Australian Government by individual higher education providers. The providers are responsible for conducting their own application and selection procedures in line with Government guidelines. Contact your college to see if you are eligible for a scholarship. There are also a plethora of
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scholarships provided by various corporations, universities, church groups and foundations. Investigate the opportunities. Sometimes they are not available until the second or third year of the course. Your college student services office is a good place to start. Other income sources Centrelink is a potential source of funds for living expenses during college. Payments including the Youth Allowance (16-24 years olds) and AUSTUDY (25 years and over) have eligibility criteria including an income and asset test. Students can earn up to $6,000 p.a. without it affecting their allowance. There is no reason why you shouldn’t work during term or at least during the long summer break. Awards can be another source of funds for the diligent college student. I managed to receive two prizes at university. One was a book prize that was nice but didn’t help the hip pocket. The other was a cash prize, which certainly came in handy. Another opportunity I jumped at during university was an industry based learning year. This involved taking a year out from study to work within two corporations. Sometimes called sandwich years, they are a great opportunity to earn income and gain experience. The income generated enabled me to pay off my HECS debt (and receive a 15% discount for doing so) and fund a five month trip around the world before commencing full time employment. Funding options Commonwealth loans There are three types of loans available to fund your tertiary education provided by the Commonwealth under the Higher Education Loan Program (HELP): • HECS-HELP is a loan available to
eligible Commonwealth supported students to cover all or part of their student contribution amount. • FEE-HELP loan is available to eligible fee-paying students to cover all or part of their tuition fees. Limit is $80,000 or $100,000 depending on the course. • OS-HELP is available to assist eligible undergraduate Commonwealth supported students to undertake some of
their course of study overseas. Limit of $5,196 that can be accessed twice over your lifetime. I would not even consider the FEE-HELP or OS-HELP as there is a loan fee of 20% of the amount borrowed. Other options I would avoid are bank loans and credit cards. Work and study part time, seek out a cheaper institution. If you are suffering genuine hardship let it
be known in your local church. We supported an international student who experienced financial difficulty six months before completing her degree when funding from her home country ceased after the death of a family member. So go ahead be weird, swim against the tide, stay out of debt and reap the rewards.
Gavin Martin | Managing Director and Financial Adviser Cornerstone Wealth Pty Ltd www.cornerstonewealth.com.au
r4 u www.christianwoman.com.a www.christianwoman.co.nz Australia/ New Zealand FREE
SPRING 2011 Volume 58 Numbe
Embracing a Healthy Lifestyle
whole in God wants women ry area eve
ROLE MODELLING STARTS AT HOME So how do we do it effectively?
Communicating D WITH GO
the lost art of journaling
Plus
• Deal or no deal? r given • The best advice eve nd • To silence and beyo
Find a Christian College Guide 2012 | 17
Teaching
New Zealand Teachers...
A New Generation BTI write about the effect of godly teachers and lecturers on students... Wendy Payne
D
o you remember your favourite schoolteachers? The commonality of childhood experience is such that we can all attest to the influence that our teachers had to either enrich or deflate our learning experiences. We may remember a good teacher who drew potential from us that we didn’t even know existed; conversely, a lesser teacher may have snuffed out the flame of inquiry and creativity before it had barely begun to burn. What remains clear is that passionate, inspiring teachers who love what they do and love the students in their care are remembered fondly for a lifetime. Connection, it would seem, is the seedbed of education. Dr Beverley Norsworthy, Dean of Teacher Education at Bethlehem Tertiary Institute (BTI) in Tauranga, New Zealand believes that the bond between teacher and student is of utmost importance, and that it is the quality of this connection that will determine how well a student will learn and develop. Dr Norsworthy explains, “There is almost something mysterious about this process… there is something in the relationship where the student actually has to
give permission to the teacher to let them influence. Good teachers have the capacity to make connections with their students”. It is one thing to intuitively recognise a good teacher, but the million-dollar question is, what does it take to actually produce a teacher like that? Given that teachers spend one to three years in pre-service preparation before they enter the classroom or early childhood centre, the importance of effective initial teacher education cannot be underestimated. BTI has a distinctive and innovative approach to teacher education that is built on a meaningful Christian worldview and is formed out of a deep belief that if teachers are to develop good connections with students, they must first deepen their knowledge of themselves. While a typical teacher education programme will focus primarily on curriculum and methodology, the ‘what’ and the ‘how’ of teaching, BTI has a passionately developed approach, which also considers the person who is the teacher as a foundational concept. Dr Norsworthy noted “Rarely
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do questions about ‘why’ do the teaching are asked, and almost never is the question ‘who’ is the teacher that teaches asked. At BTI one of our distinctive commitments is to the person who is the teacher. It’s not just about the projects the teacher gives the student, but everything about the teacher actually ends up being influential. This means it would make really good sense to focus on who the person is who does the teaching, and that’s what we’ve done at BTI.” The way that elements of BTI’s unique character have been shaped is in itself unusual, in that BTI student teachers and graduates have had a significant role in shaping the programs. Dr Norsworthy says, “Research around teacher education is often about what theorists think, what should happen or might happen, but this program is developed by student voices. It came out of the early stages of my doctoral work when I was asking student teachers about what made a difference for them in terms of their learning; what really influenced them.” The research made it apparent that secondary school environments
“...the bond between teacher and student is of utmost importance, and that it is the quality of this connection that will determine how well a student will learn and develop.�
Teaching
“... if teachers are to develop good connections with students, they must first deepen their knowledge of themselves”
had produced students who had a consumer approach to education. Many of them didn’t want to learn how to think; they wanted to be told how to think. “This made us alert to the fact that we really had to re-establish the student as learner in the first instance if we really wanted them to
be inquirers,” says Dr Norsworthy. “Students come to us thinking that education is the completion of tasks rather than a developmental journey. Our first year is basically focusing on undoing that view of education and seeing that every part of the journey is a learning part.” Previous research with BTI graduates had shown the power of engaging with the biblical worldview and asking the big questions like, ‘what’s the meaning of life, who am I, what is my significance, what is my purpose’? Dr Norsworthy says, “Those big questions were the really powerful instigators for change.” Opportunities to engage with these big questions were then woven through many of the considerations
of the program, and form an important part of what has come to be affectionately known as BTI’s PIPI strand. “What we’ve come to call the PIPI approach has been a commitment to making sure we focus on the teacher living the learning,” explains Dr Norsworthy. “PIPI stands for Personal Integration and Professional Inquiry and this is another way we outwork the fact that the learning that is going to make a difference is the learning that is integrated into the person. We want people who are learners, who will always inquire into what they are doing and why.” Another core value within BTI’s teacher education programs is the notion of teachers becoming
Study Theology at The University of Auckland Explore the biblical texts, traditions and history of Christianity and its relevance within Aotearoa New Zealand and the world. For more information Visit the School of Theology’s website at www.arts.auckland.ac.nz/departments/theology
For undergraduate information contact Dr. Caroline Blyth Email: c.blyth@auckland.ac.nz
Phone: 0800 61 62 63 or +64 9 373 7599 ext 86676 Email: studentinfo@auckland.ac.nz
For postgraduate information contact Dr Nicholas Thompson Email: nj.thompson@auckland.ac.nz
www.arts.auckland.ac.nz | 0800 61 62 63 | txt 5533
20 | Find a Christian College Guide 2012
wise, as opposed to being simply knowledgeable. In keeping with a transformative model of education, wisdom is viewed as transactional, living, breathing, knowledge which is connected to the realities of life and dynamically expressed within the context of relationship. In traditional models of education, the teacher’s focus is on the acquisition of knowledge, which is then dispensed to their students, often from their lofty positions in the ivory towers of academia. BTI lecturers are deliberately mentoring a new generation of teachers who think differently. BTI lecturer Cathryn Bell remarks, “I think what we are really fighting is a historic transmission mode of education, where I am
the expert and I’m in a sense downloading my knowledge to you. But knowledge is all in my iPhone now! We are about transformative education, but the only way you can teach transformatively is if you are continually being transformed.” Some would say that education is currently in a time of transition with the baton of leadership being passed from one generation to the next. Cathryn Bell keeps in contact with many BTI graduates, and from the feedback she has received observes, “I think BTI is beginning to have quite an influence throughout our nation, one classroom at a time. We are beginning to get feedback from principals who say that our students know what they believe
and are very gracious in fitting into a school culture but very clear on what are their non-negotiable values and approaches and understandings. Therefore, because they have engaged with this in such a way that they can articulate it to someone else, they are beginning to influence discussion. We are also beginning to see a number of our graduates in lead roles. I think that we are grooming our graduates for a longer-term passion for education. I would aspire to the fact that we are releasing the leaders of our next generation of teachers.” Wendy Payne Head of Operational Services BTI NZ
Find a Christian College Guide 2012 | 21
Spirituality
Theology & Religious Studies
22 | Find a Christian College Guide 2012
What University of Otago can offer in Christian higher education‌ Annette Hyland The Department of Theology and Religion at Otago offers a wide selection of courses in Christian Theology and in a variety of religions of global significance. The Theology section of the Department offers courses in Biblical Studies, Christian Thought and History and Pastoral Theology. The Religion section offers courses on the world’s religions, with particular strengths in religions of South and East Asia. It also offers courses which examine themes across a number of religions, for example, religion and the body and religion and the media. Drawing on a rich heritage of more than seventy years, the Department is well regarded both nationally and internationally. The University offers a specialised degree in Theology, the Bachelor of Theology degree, and students seeking to follow a vocation in Christian ministry usually enrol for this degree. Papers in Theology are also taken by a range of students in Arts, Science, Commerce, Education and Law. Biblical Studies and Christian Thought and History can be taken as major subjects in the Bachelor of Arts degree. Many students undertake theological study simply to inquire further into their own faith. They find that the study of Theology can enrich their understanding of the Gospel and open new horizons, even as it follows ancient paths. There is always more to learn about such essential matters as the nature of God, the place of the Bible, the story of Christianity across two millennia, the practice of contemporary ministry and the responsibility to live ethically
in a complex world. The Department assumes no particular denominational or theological perspective in this inquiry. The learning process includes a detailed exploration of the ways in which complex questions have been addressed by others, pointing out what are sometimes provocative possibilities. Students are equipped to think these questions through for themselves, informed by the community of thinkers – past and present – and alert to the realities of contemporary society. Theology is about more than just vocational training. It is about life, meaning, belief and identity at the deepest level. We carry these with us wherever we go, whatever we do. There is, then, no end to the value gained from studying Theology. There are over five hundred students enrolled for Theology
papers. However, individual classes are small enough to encourage informality and friendliness. Because of the nature of the subject staff and students get to know one another well, and students get good support from staff. A significant number of our students are postgraduate students, studying for the Master of Ministry, Master of Theology or PhD degrees. Distance papers A number of papers for the Bachelor of Theology degree are concurrently taught on campus in Dunedin and on the Distance Learning Network. Distance Learning provides an opportunity for students to study papers in Biblical Studies, Christian Thought and History, and Pastoral Theology without moving to Dunedin. These papers may also be taken by people who live in Dunedin but whose work commitments prevent
them from attending lectures during the day. Papers are taught in weeklong intensives, teaching days, by audioconferences or via the internet, or using a combination of these methods. Subject Areas The following key areas are covered in the Theology and Religion programs: Biblical Studies (BIBS or BIBX course codes) is devoted to the study of the Christian Scriptures, looking at the origins of the biblical writings and the history of their interpretation. Biblical Studies papers are divided into papers in Old Testament (the Hebrew Bible) and New Testament. Students can also study the biblical languages, namely classical Hebrew and New Testament Greek, to an advanced level. Some study of the languages is required for those who
Find a Christian College Guide 2012 | 23
Spirituality
“They find that the study of Theology can enrich their understanding of the Gospel and open new horizons, even as it follows ancient paths”
are accepted for the Bachelor of Theology (Hons) degree. In a new venture from Semester 1, 2012, the Department is offering 100 to 300-level papers in Biblical Hebrew and Biblical Greek language both on-campus and via videoconferencing. 100-level papers will be jointly taught by staff from the University of Otago and the University of Auckland, with students in both Universities linked via videoconferencing. University of Otago distance students will be able to join the class live via video- or audioconferencing. Alternatively, they will be able to watch or listen to podcasts at a later time (although students will need to link up in real time for some sessions). Students will need to have good internet access. The 100-level papers are: HEBR/X 131 Introductory Hebrew Language 1 (Sem 1) HEBR/X 132 Introductory Hebrew Language and Exegesis 2 (Sem 2) BIBS/X 131 Introductory Greek New Testament
Language 1 (Sem 1) BIBS/X 132 Introductory Greek New Testament Language and Exegesis 2 (Sem 2) Christian Thought and History (CHTH or CHTX course codes) is devoted to the study of Church History, Systematic Theology, Christian Ethics and Public Theology: • Church History is concerned with the growth and development of the Christian faith from the first century to today. • Systematic Theology offers a critical exposition and analysis of the content of Christian thought, both historical and contemporary. • Christian Ethics links the history and nature of Christian ethical thought with engagement in some current ethical issues. • Public Theology explores how the resources available within Theology might contribute to public debate on contemporary issues. Ministry (MINX) papers combine reflection on issues emerging from ministry practice with discussion and research relevant to the practice of ministry.
MU COM O GT NIN R A LE
GUAGE ’S LAN E N O ANY TE IN A C I N
Equip yourself with language and culture learning skills for cross-cultural ministry Summer and yearlong accredited courses
www.equip.edu.au info_equip@sil.org LANGUAGE TRAINING INSTITUTE OF WYCLIFFE AUSTRALIA
24 | Find a Christian College Guide 2012
Pastoral Theology (PASX) is particularly designed for students entering some form of church ministry. Papers in Pastoral Theology offer a multi-disciplinary study of church life, offering students the opportunity to reflect on the practice of Christian ministry. Religion (RELS or RELX) papers are part of an Arts degree, but they may also be credited to a Theology degree. While Theology concentrates on the study of the Christian faith, Religion is interested in all the religions of the world, including Christianity. Bachelor of Theology students are required to include at least one Religion paper in their degree. Postgraduate Study The Department also offers a number of postgraduate degrees: The PGDipTheol, Master of Theology, PhD, and the Postgraduate Diploma in Ministry, and Master of Ministry. For those who may not wish to complete a full degree, the same papers may be taken towards a Diploma for Graduates. This is available to those who already have a three-year equivalent qualification in another subject. Annette Hyland
Spring reading
from Ark House
An Australian mother’s journey from heartbreak to hope.
CECILY PATERSON
Into The
An inspiring, true story of one man’s battle with brain cancer
Clint’s story is one which should bring hope to those who are given no hope. He has been through fire and come forth as gold. May this story encourage you that you , too, can have the victory. Dr Robyn Cosford MBBS(Hons)FACNEM
CLINT BEATTIE
JO-ANNE BERTHELSEN
Nur wer die Sehnsucht kennt, weiß, was ich leide! Allein und abgetrennt von aller Freude Nur wer die Sehnsucht kennt, weiß, was ich leide! Allein und abgetrennt von aller Freude Nur wer die Sehnsucht kennt, weiß, was ich leide! Allein und abgetrennt von aller Freude Nur wer
Heléna’s
Love, Tears and Autism CECILY PATERSON Fiction RRP $16.95 Cecily’s three year old son was diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), and Cecily and her husband started out on a journey which would be physically hard, emotionally draining, intellectually challenging and spiritually exhausting. And yet the road would lead to love – real, honest, true, gritty love.
Into the Light CLINT BEATTIE Biography RRP $19.95 Into the Light tells of Clint Beattie and his remarkable recovery from terminal brain cancer, temporary paralysis and near blindness. Read as Clint testifies to the healing and redemptive work of Jesus in his life and how Clint lives out his passion to see people won for the Kingdom of God. Heléna’s Legacy JO-ANNE BERTHELSEN Fiction $17.95 Doctor Susan Curtis faces the birth of her first child alone. Bitter at being rejected by her fiancé and family, she begins her own reluctant journey towards God, but it is not until she comes to know Heléna Hajek and to trust her that she is able even to consider forgiving those who let her down.
ARK
house
Justice at Baragula MARY HAWKINS Fiction RRP $19.95 Justice at Baragula concludes the 3 book “Baragula” series and tells of Bradley Hunter, who has now fufilled his ambition to be the policeman stationed at Baragula. Can two young people with scars from their past discover a way Justice at back to love, not only for each other but for God whose ways may sometimes be hard to understand, but does exercise His justice, truth and love when and how He wills? MARY HAWKINS book
3
While seeking truth and justice, two people scarred by the past need to find forgiveness and real love to have any hope of a future together.
Baragula
hope journey of
A REMARK ABL TRUE STO E RY
“I commend Journey of Hope to you for all its rawness, emotion and importantly, awakening.” Jeffery G. Kennett AC. Director, Beyond Blue
Dr J. Michael Davey
Journey of Hope DR J.MICHAEL DAVEY Biography RRP $22.95
At the hands of his deranged mother Michael was beaten mercilessly. To escape her violence and neglect, Michael left home when he was just 15 years old. As a child, everyday was a struggle, but Michael fought against the overwhelming odds. Showing extraordinary determination and raw courage, he managed to survive the horrors of his early years.
Jewels MAL AUSTIN Inspiration $29.95 Australian photographer Mal Austin presents some of his favoured scriptures explaining why, from the heart of a creative believer rather than the mind of a Theologian. This is more than a beautiful gift book; it is a refreshingly different artwork that is sure to delight and encourage Christians in a similiar illuminating exercise.
www.arkhousepress.com
26 | Find a Christian College Guide 2012
Value
Grounded in the
Word of God
Kate Chapman gives insight into value of education at Faith Bible College
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estled in a beautiful rural setting in Tauranga, New Zealand, Faith Bible College has welcomed more than 4000 students over more than 40 years of operation. As a ministry training school, Faith Bible College draws students from all walks of life. Some are newly out of high school and seeking to spend one or two years getting grounded in the Word of God before continuing on to another qualification. Others simply desire to break out of life’s daily grind and become inspired, refreshed, and reinvigorated in the things of the Lord. Those later in life also find themselves drawn back to bible college as they hunger to discover more about the truths of God’s Word. Whatever their reasons, graduates of Faith never leave the school the same as when they arrived! As one recent graduate said, “During my two years at Faith layer by layer God did a transformation on my heart. Through lectures, devotional times, opportunities to preach, sing, and so much more, He taught me about myself and I began to see myself through His eyes. For the first time in years, I could accept who I was created to be.” Faith Bible College was established in Tauranga back in
1969. The College founders, Des and Carley Short, completed three years of training at Elim Bible College in America, and returned to NZ with a vision for an endtime training school that would reach across denominations and countries. This vision continues, with the college’s mission statement to ‘Prepare servant leaders for the endtime global harvest, who manifest the character of Christ and minister in the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit’. Faith Bible College currently offers two full-time courses, both recognised by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority and eligible for student loans and allowances.* The Certificate in Ministry Development (one year, NZQA Level 4) includes a strong emphasis on practical experience with a 10-week ministry placement in the middle of the course and regular weekend ministry opportunities. The subjects covered include Christian Doctrines, Biblical Studies, Evangelism & Ministry, Christian Growth & Discipleship, Prayer, and World Missions. The two-year Diploma in Christian Ministry (NZQA Level 5) includes Theological Studies, Missions Studies, History of Christianity,
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Value
He taught me about myself and I began to see myself through His eyes Spiritual Growth, Counselling, and Pastoral Theology. It also includes a four-week ministry placement and regular weekend ministry opportunities. Purpose-built accommodation blocks house students and families while they are attending Faith Bible College. Ranging from single dorm units to twin-share and larger family units, the on-campus environment is a unique and valuable part of the Faith experience. Facilities include a commercial kitchen and dining room, lecture rooms, student common areas, an extensive reference library, and a campus-wide Wifi network. A Prayer House, erected in 1986, has been set aside for the purpose of prayer and student devotion times. Great emphasis is placed on each student becoming acquainted with the voice of God and developing a consistent prayer life. In addition, there is a nature walkway in a prayer valley, which includes small prayer booths. The college itself is situated on over 20 acres of spacious grounds and boasts many colourful seasonal trees and flowers. Tauranga city centre is only a 15 minute drive from the campus, and the famous Mt Maunganui beach and rapidly expanding Papamoa area are a short 10 minute drive away. Tauranga is a city of 120,000 people and is a popular tourist location because of its beautiful beaches, great sea fishing, and water sports. The nearest international airport is Auckland, which is two and a half hours away by car.
During the formational years of FBC, the Lord spoke to Des and Carley through a Scripture in Isaiah 49:2. Faith Bible College was to be a school where the hand of God would place a sharp sword in the mouths of His people, polish them, and shoot them out as arrows into the four corners of the world. By 2011, there are now thousands of FBC graduates serving as Pastors, Missionaries, or Church workers in many nations around the globe. Bible colleges in Singapore, Papua New Guinea, Ghana, and Nepal have also been founded under the guidance of Des and Carley Short and continue to flourish. Faith has also maintained close relationships with many other mission organisations and churches, meaning that students are regularly blessed and inspired by the visiting speakers who come to the campus from all over the world. There are also many opportunities that develop from these contacts once a student graduates from their course. Devoting one or two years to attending a Bible College is a valuable, life-long investment. While there is a necessary focus on academic requirements, the benefits far outweigh any qualifications gained. Proverbs 25:2 says, “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but to search out a matter is the glory of kings.” By spending time in a training school that has the Bible as the foundation point for its entire curriculum students become adept at searching out its mysteries and discovering the heartbeat of
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its Author. To learn what it means to be a child of God and seek after the things of His Kingdom – these are life- changing lessons! Learning strong Biblical principles, maturing in spiritual disciplines, and being part of a worshipping community are all great reasons to enrol in a course at Bible College. But, above all, it is an opportunity to spend time in the presence of our Heavenly Father. Learn to hear His voice and allow Him to train and equip you for the calling that lies ahead. What better place to be! Kate Chapman Faith Bible College
*Note: While Australian citizens are considered “Domestic Students” for all FBC course fees, they are required to be resident in New Zealand for two years before being eligible for NZ study loans or allowances.
Transition
Changeovers in life Thinking about the transition to College and then beyond is vital for students to feel they can fit in and adjust to new standards
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any students find the transition from high school to higher education quite daunting. High school students are often caught up in technology – such as video games, Facebook (social networking) and chats online. Adjusting to college is not always an easy step - the differences can be quite daunting. When considering what academic work to take part in and where to study you need to decide how valuable a Christian institution would be. How important is it that your transition to higher education can be as stress free as possible. When considering Christian higher education what do you consider the positives to be? Colleges are not as rigid as high schools. You become more an individual and need to be more personally disciplined as you are
no longer a school student. Some lecturers won’t even care if you miss a class and normally they won’t even give you a private lesson if you ask. You will be adjusting to many things – such as academic schedules and other distractions, such as more of Facebook. Studies do show that the more time spent on Facebook the lower the grades can be. Christian institutions are set up to help with the transition and to provide easier access to lecturers and tutors. Those in charge know how important it is to help students ‘aclimatise’ to new surroundings. Student advisory councils and counsellors are ready to help steer a student in the right direction for their goals, dreams and destinies. Social interaction is another important consideration. The friends you make at college are often friends
you will carry through with you for life. Maturity is more defined in college, so you start to choose your friends very carefully. What better place to form these lasting friendships than at a Christian college. To have friends who are able to come alongside you, walk with you and help you in your academic work, personally and in your walk with God. This is something of great value. Higher education prepares you for the world outside of academia. It prepares you for your life’s work. Christian lecturers are equipped and understand how difficult this can be – in fact they are there to assist in the transition times from high school and then from college to the outside world. They are God’s representatives in the education field.
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Searching
What Christian universities can offer in terms of life experiences... Susanne Gomes
An Invitation to Explore
Christianity 30 | Find a Christian College Guide 2012
T
he year 2012 marks a ten year milestone for the School of Theology at the University of Auckland. Since its creation in 2003 by the University and the Auckland Consortium of Theological Education (ACTE), its aim has been to offer students a comprehensive and stimulating program of theological education, while giving special attention to theology in Aotearoa New Zealand, the Pacific and Asia. Over the past ten years, this aim has been fully realised and the staff, both past and present, continue to take great pleasure in the School’s development and achievements. Last year, the School became an official part of the University’s Faculty of Arts, which has allowed our Theology students to incorporate an even wider variety of topics into their studies. Teaching staff at the School of
Theology come from a diversity of cultural and faith backgrounds and bring to the school a rich assortment of teaching interests and experience. Their research pursuits include theology and new media, feminist theology, Church history, Pacific hermeneutics, ecotheology, and the Bible in popular culture. A number of the staff are also affiliated with some of Auckland’s Colleges of Theology, including the Catholic Institute of Theology, the College of St John the Evangelist, and Trinity Methodist College. This gives students at the School of Theology the opportunity to work with teachers with experience in different Christian perspectives. As part of its commitment to the social and practical significance of theology, the School is also an active member of the Global Network of Public Theology, an international organization which promotes
theological contributions to global public issues, especially those relating to poverty, marginalization, and the environment. These issues are also explored within the teaching programs offered to our undergraduate and postgraduate students. Our up and coming ten year anniversary attests to the fact that, here at the University of Auckland, there is a commitment to and recognition of the importance of the School’s presence in the University. This in turn raises the wider question: what can students hope to achieve from studying theology? Well, studying theology provides a gateway to those who are keen to discover more about the religious Scriptures, beliefs, and practices of Christianity, all of which have made a significant and lasting impact upon the lives of billions of people around the world
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Searching
They bring to
and throughout history. Exploring the texts and traditions of the Christian faith can offer fascinating insights into the ways that they have been understood in both the past and the present and also in different cultural and global contexts. You can learn about the origins of this world religion, reliving what life was like for Jesus and his disciples in 1st Century Palestine, before following the amazing journey of the church through subsequent centuries and right up to the present day. You can learn to read the Old and New Testaments in their original languages – Hebrew and Greek – and delve into the worlds and cultures that produced these ancient texts. Finally, the study of theology gives you the chance to ask some of the ‘big’ questions about Christian faith and practices that help to bring theology into dialogue with the world around us: who is God? What is God’s relationship with humanity? What does it mean to be a Christian in today’s complex global environment?
their studies many
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ALPHACRUCIS.edU.AU futurestudents@alphacrucis.edu.au | 02 9645 9000 Sydney
Brisbane
Auckland
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Students at the University of Auckland’s School of Theology have the opportunity to explore these questions, and many more, in the course of their studies. Our undergraduate students range from school leavers to more mature learners and come from a diversity of cultural and faith backgrounds. They bring to their studies many different life experiences and future ambitions. A Bachelor of Theology degree from the University of Auckland provides them with an internationally recognized qualification, which offers excellent opportunities for employment in a diverse range of areas, including teaching, ministry, counselling, youth leadership, chaplaincy, social and community work, and the media. In addition, students can also study theology alongside their Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree. Like all those who have studied with us over our ten years, as a student at the School of Theology you will learn the skills that will allow you to explore the texts, traditions, and history of Christianity, both in terms of their global relevance and within the context of Aotearoa New Zealand and Oceania. Introductory foundation courses, usually taken by students in the first year of their degree program, provides a solid base for further study in our three main subject groups: biblical studies, practical theology, and Christian thought and history. Our undergraduate courses include the following subjects: • Theological ethics • The Gospels and Paul’s letters • Old Testament language and literature • Christian understandings of God and Christ • Church history from its origins to the present day • Pastoral Care and practical theology • Theology and Spirituality in Aotearoa New Zealand and Oceania. As well as the undergraduate degree program, the School of Theology also offers a range of diplomas and degrees for students with an interest in studying theology at postgraduate level, including a oneyear Graduate Diploma in Theology for those who already have a University degree and a number of postgraduate qualifications for those with a degree in Theology. Wherever your particular interests lie in the diverse subject area of theology, we warmly invite you to explore with us the opportunities available to you for further study of this fascinating field of learning. Susanne Gomes Auckland University
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