Pathway to Pastoral Ministry

We believe that pastoral care is vital for the flourishing of God’s people.

Pastoral care springs from God’s compassionate care and his call to care for one another in ways that express his love. Pastoral care stands at the intersection of opportunities both for sharing the gospel, and for facilitating maturing growth of the body of Christ. The effective outworking of pastoral care is grounded in a knowledge of God’s word and the shaping of pastoral skills that reflect Christ-like character and love.

MAC has developed two suggested Pathways to Pastoral Ministry 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.

The Pathways are available in a specific cycle of units regularly offered on specific days in the College timetable. This will maximise the learning opportunity and develop a community of like-minded students who can continue to encourage and support one another beyond their College days.

1. Diploma-level Pathway

This pathway is through the Australian College of Theology’s Diploma of Christian Studies, using units that focus on a biblical framework and practical skills for pastoral care. The course has been designed to be completed over three years part-time, however this can be extended up to six years for those who need a more flexible option. These units will be offered on Mondays and Fridays.

Year 1

Bible Overview (BB001-512)
Pastoral Care (PC013-508)
Christian Worldview (PE010-512)
Practical Pastoral Care (PC014-508)

Year 2

Psalms (OT053-508)
Pastoral Evangelism (EM066-508)
God and the Person and Work of Christ (TH020-508)
Understanding Grief (PC104-508)

Year 3 – choose only three of the following:

Pastoral Care for Those with Mental Illness (PC016-508)
Disability and God’s People (DM034-508)
Ministry with Seniors (PC017-508)
Practical Discipleship and Mentoring (PC112-508)

For further details about these units and courses click here.

2. Certificate-level Pathway

This pathway is through the Australian College of Theology’s Certificate in Theology. 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. Certificate level units will be offered on Thursdays.

Units of Study

Old Testament (OT)
New Testament (NT)
Christian Belief (CB)
Pastoral Care (IPC)
Practical Pastoral Care (IAPC)
Pastoral Evangelism (PE)

Introductory Pathway

Want to try out studying before committing to a Certificate in Theology? We offer an introductory pathway that could be the right fit for you, with just two units of study:

Pastoral Care (IPC)
Practical Pastoral Care (IAPC)

On successful completion of these two units students receive a MAC Pastoral Care Course award. If you choose to continue your study these two units will count towards the Australian College of Theology’s Certificate in Theology.

For further details about these units and courses click here.

How to apply

To apply to enrol in any of the above courses, click here.

For further information about how to apply to become a community chaplain once you have completed the course requirements, see the following page of the Sydney Anglican Evangelism and New Churches (ENC) website: