Community Chaplaincy
Pastoral care is shaped by God’s compassionate care and his call to care for one another as we help others towards wholeness and well-being. Pastoral care stands at the intersection of opportunities both for sharing the gospel and for facilitating the maturing growth of the body of Christ. Effective pastoral care is grounded in a knowledge of God’s word that shapes Christ-like character and conviction.
To become a community chaplain, you need to do some theological study, at either diploma or certificate level. Mary Andrews College has two pathways to community chaplaincy that will equip students to have well-rounded, biblically-based training in pastoral care. Graduates are enabled to minister in a broad range of pastoral situations in churches, aged care facilities, hospitals, and in the community.
Students enrolled in the certificate and diploma level pathways can apply for authorisation as a Community Chaplain in the Sydney Anglican Diocese.
To find out more about this partnership with Evangelism and New Churches (ENC) and the process for applying to be a Community Chaplain, take a look at their website: https://encministries.org.au/ministry/community-chaplains/
We believe that pastoral care is vital for the flourishing of God’s people.
“Mary Andrews College has really helped me in pastoral care: in helping people who are facing really difficult times in their life, or who might be experiencing conflict - to understand how to listen well and how to help them in that time.”
– Bec, MAC student
Certificate Level Pathway
This pathway is through the Mary Andrews College Certificate in Pastoral Care. It provides an essential grounding in the Bible, and highly practical pastoral care training. This course has been designed to be completed in one year, however this can be extended for those who need a more flexible option.
5 core units
Introduction to the Old Testament
Introduction to the New Testament
Knowing God: Christian Theology
Pastoral Care Skills I
Pastoral Care Skills II
Choice of 1 elective unit from the following 2023 electives
Disability Ministry
Early Church History
Pastoral Care for Mental Health
Christian Spirituality
For all Mary Andrews College Certificates, 2 additional elective units can be undertaken to complete an Advanced Certificate.
Diploma Level Pathway
This pathway is through the Australian College of Theology’s Diploma of Ministry, using units that focus on a biblical framework and practical skills for pastoral care. This course can be completed over three years taking 2 units per semester, or over up to five years by enrolling in one unit per a semester. This pathway has a combination of Bible, Theology, and Practical Ministry units.
Bible units
Old Testament Overview (OT003-512)
New Testament Overview (NT003-512)
Theology & Church History units
Theology Overview (TH040-512), or
Rise of Christianity: From Acts to the Reformation (CH040-512)
Primary Course Discipline units
Foundations of Pastoral Care (PC013-508) *
Applied Pastoral Care (PC014-512) *
Electives
40 credit points of electives from the Diploma units.
*These are the minimum units required for authorisation as a Community Chaplain by the diocese.
Mary Andrews College is an affiliated college of the Australian College of Theology
www.actheology.edu.au
