BIBLE & THEOLOGY, COUNSELLING, CHAPLAINCY & SPIRITUAL CARE

In this unit we’ll be learning about the story of Christianity from the English Reformation to the present. We’ll learn about those who reinvigorated the church with their emphasis on personal devotion, and those who threw themselves into social activism and mission work - people like John Wesley, Catherine Booth and William Wilberforce. We’ll see how different denominations have emerged and influenced the way we practice our Christian faith today. 

The title says it all! We explore the various shapes that Christian mission has taken over the past 2000 years, including:

• the early church,
• the Celtic missions,
• the Catholic missionary orders,
• the Reformation, and
• the various kinds of Protestant mission throughout history.

It’s church history, but just the interesting bits! And we finish up by asking what shape mission should take in our current age.

This course will challenge your worldview and will light a fire in your heart for mission.

The reading material is divided into several highly practical areas such as the biblical basis for mission, the history of mission, and then understanding how culture influences the way in which we go about mission. This material has been used to equip countless missionaries and is a brilliant introduction to understanding our missionary God.

This unit is aimed at giving church planters or those interested in church planting the basic tools for thinking about how to launch a new congregation. It is taught by Michael Frost and Jamie Freeman, the director of church planting for the Baptist Church.

You will learn how understand the context in which you will plant, how to determine what kind of church is needed, and ideas for recruiting a team. Part of the assessment involves creating a church planting plan.

This is the first of two foundational New Testament units. It provides an overview of the four gospels and the portraits that they paint of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus—with a focus on how Jesus inaugurated the Kingdom of God in word and deed. It also offers an introduction to the context in which the gospels were written and in which the events they describe took place, and the core message of the gospels for Christian readers today.

This is the second foundational New Testament unit, following on from Jesus and the Gospels. It provides an overview of the book of Acts, as well as sic epistles and the book of Revelation. It focuses on the way in which the New Testament texts spoke into the lives and social situations of their original audience, guiding us into our understading of how they still speak to us today.

This is a one-semester overview of the New Testament. It looks at the four gospels and the portraits that they paint of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus—with a focus on how Jesus inaugurated the Kingdom of God in word and deed. The unit also tells the story of the early New Testament Church as reflected in the book of Acts, as well as selected epistles and the book of Revelation. 

This unit looks at the themes and contents of the Pentateuch (Genesis to Deuteronomy) and the Former Prophets (Joshua to 2 Kings). We will see God acting in history, through his chosen people, to make himself known, and to bring blessing to all peoples on earth.

This subject helps people both think about the ways Christians see the world, and the ways that others see it too.

Do you have a passion or a gift? Whether it’s music or maths, comedy or construction, you’ll have the opportunity to consider it from a Chrisian perspective. Or maybe you’re interested in how other people view the world – how might a Tibetan Buddhist understand the worlds’ problems? What might a secular French intellectual suggest as the answer? Do Christian Worldview and you’ll find out.

This unit is designed to foster the development of self-awareness and understanding of its role in chaplaincy and spiritual care.  Situated within a Christian worldview this unit assists students to develop the foundational skills of empathy, non-anxious presence, active listening, and being with the client. Students will develop communication skills that are sensitive to cultural differences.  Students are provided an extended opportunity to develop and practice generic chaplaincy and spiritual care skills within an experiential context. This unit facilitates the growth and development of the student in both personal and interpersonal domains.

*pre-requisite study requirements must be met

In this unit students are provided with the opportunity to further a deepening understanding of the nature and path of a chaplaincy or spiritual care encounter, integrating the various models of spiritual assessment within pastoral care and chaplaincy practice. Students are introduced to the theory and methods of pastoral assessment, case planning and intervention within a multidisciplinary chaplaincy and spiritual care context. Opportunity to develop the ability to utilise more advanced techniques within an experiential context is provided. Students’ learning will deeply enhance their own personal and spiritual formation as they learn how to integrate Christian worldviews and spirituality in chaplaincy and spiritual care practice. This unit is offered in a semi-intensive format over the course of the semester.

This unit seeks to explore the biblical and theological dimensions of chaplaincy and spiritual care, in order to understand what sets us apart from chaplains of other faith traditions (or, following an increasing trend, having no faith). While caring is not an exclusively Christian practice, the Christian understanding of the virtue of care, and the practices of caregiving, are shaped and framed by biblical story.  Theological reflection on our lives in the light of that story is explored.  Foundational Christian convictions give a distinct character to the spiritual care the Christian chaplain provides.  The nature of that ministry is itself defined by a theological conviction of participation in the mission of the Triune God. Students will be enabled to not only articulate biblical and theological convictions and motifs that shape their chaplaincy ministry, but engage in theological reflection, considering how these principles will inform their own pastoral identity and practice as they seek to embody the love of God in the world.

The aim of this unit of study is to familiarise students with the legal constraints and requirements of their work as chaplains, to increase cultural awareness and multicultural competency, and to foster the development of moral sensitivity and moral courage. Students completing this course of study will be supported to develop ethical maturity within their own personal and professional lives. Ethical decision-making models and codes of practice will provide a resource to guide chaplaincy and spiritual care practice, as well as the legal precepts governing this work. Additionally, students will explore what it means to practise in a culturally competent manner.

This unit gives an overview of human development within a theological framework. This unit examines the main spiritual, physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development tasks, and milestones in human development alongside the impact of interrupted development. There is an exploration of the place of grief and loss within human development and change.

The unit will prepare the student to engage in the area of mental health. It will critically evaluate the factors involved in mental health and wellness, and mental distress and illness. It will examine the role of chaplaincy and spiritual care practice in the field of mental health, including referrals to others in a multidisciplinary team environment. Additionally, this unit will examine the multidisciplinary approach to the management and treatment of mental health disorders. Further, the student will learn to identify mental health disorders and their presentation and formulate appropriate pastoral responses. This unit will analyse spiritual assessment models and their utilisation in mental health and acute mental health care settings. The student will learn to apply creativity when spiritually caring for others who are managing acute mental distress and illness.

In this unit, students will learn to identify the impact of psychological trauma on individuals, families, and communities and recognise its culturally appropriate expressions. Students will examine the current theories and models for understanding and working with people and groups who have, or are experiencing crisis, psychological trauma, grief, and loss. Students will develop an understanding of the impact of traumatic, disenfranchised, and prolonged (non-finite) grief on individuals, families, and communities. This will include neurobiological, psychosocial, and socio-spiritual-cultural elements of these experiences. Students will learn practical strategies and interventions to aid in chaplaincy work with people who are experiencing grief, crisis, and trauma. In addition, students will explore the impact of working in this context on the chaplain including strategies for self-care.

In this unit students will explore the practice and theology of chaplaincy in the contexts of both state and private, and primary and secondary school systems. This unit examines the various models and settings for school chaplaincy, focusing on the role of school chaplains, as well as introducing students to issues of ethics, confidentiality, and various legal factors. The unit will address the importance of professional development, supervision, and self-care for the chaplain. It will also explore a theology of chaplaincy to young people and examine the various developmental stages of children and young people including appropriate chaplaincy and spiritual care.

*pre-requisite study requirements must be met

This unit explores environmental influences impacting the wellbeing and spiritual development of children and adolescents.  Appropriate chaplaincy and spiritual care responses to these influences will be explored. This unit will consider mental health presentations and indicators of risk of harm and identify when it is appropriate to make referrals. Students will also explore the major issues confronting youth in Australian society, such as social media, e-safety, substance abuse, bullying, suicide, trauma, grief, and loss.