Master of Church Planting

About this course

The Master of Church Planting focuses on building capacity for people leading the development of new churches. Students may be seeking skills in church planting to enhance their professional work or to engage in effective ministry as a volunteer. 

The Master of Church Planting is designed for those who hold an AQF 8 Graduate Certificate in Church Planting, who wish to pursue a further qualification in Church Planting, and acquire transferable knowledge and skills in Church Planting as part of their continuing professional development for employment and further learning. 

This award is not approved for CRICOS study.

  • Study Mode: Full Time, Part Time,

  • Credit Points: 72 credit points (8 units)

  • Award Level: AQF Level 9

Handbook
Quick Links

Delivered at

Australian College of Ministries
  • NSW
  • Domestic

Course Details

Admission to the Master of Church Planting requires:

  • Satisfactorily completed an AQF Level 8 Graduate Certificate in Church Planting from an institution recognised by the Academic Board; OR
  • Hold, from a university or other tertiary institution, qualifications approved by the AUCD Director of Student Services as equivalent to such an award;

 

English Proficiency

Applicants whose entry qualifications were obtained in an institution where English is not the language of instruction normally require a minimum IELTS (or equivalent) score of 7.0 in all bands of the test, and may be required to attend such English language courses as prescribed by the Australian University College of Divinity.

The Master of Church Planting requires the completion of 72 credit points (8 units) which shall include:

  • One Compulsory Unit (9 credit points): from T8140 Theology of Mission; AND
  • at least 18 credit points of Specified Electives chosen from Schedule 1; AND
  • at least 18 credit points of Specified Electives chosen from Schedule 2; AND
  • at least 9 credit points of Specified Electives from B8100 or T8100 units; in addition to T8140 Biblical Theology of Mission; AND
  • one (9 or 18 cps) elective research unit (capstone, independent guided study, research project, or action research project) focused on church planting in a specific field (location or modality).
  • a further 9 credit point Elective from the accredited units of the AUCD at levels 8 or 9 to compete the award if required

 

The course must include: 2.2.1 at least two 9200-series units.

  • at least a Specialisation in the sub-Discipline of Mission with 54 credit points, which may include units in the Graduate Certificate of entry
  • A specialisation comprises 6 units (54 cps) and a sub-specialisation comprises 4 units (36 cps).

 

Units from the entry Graduate Certificate, if equivalent to units required for the award, will be included in the forming of a specialisation or sub-specialisation within the Master of Church Planting.

 

Units coded “A” are not counted towards a concentration or specialisation in any discipline or subdiscipline.

 

SCHEDULES

 

SCHEDULE 1

  • M8132 Framework for Church Planting (to be approved)
  • M8134 Developing a Church Plant in Teams (to be approved)
  • M8193 or M9292 Seminar in Church Planting
  • M9235 Characteristics of Effective Church Planters (to be approved)
  • M9293 Minor Independent Guided Study in Mission
  • P9233 Church Planting Through Neighbourhood Engagement

 

SCHEDULE 2

  • M8101 Missiological Hermeneutics and Contextualisation
  • M8109 Framework for Discipleship
  • M8110 Evangelising Mission Today
  • M8160 Gospel, Culture & Communication in Australia & New Zealand
  • M8190 Research Methodology in Mission
  • P8104 Foundations of Theological Study
  • P8105 Foundations of Ethical Professional Practice
  • P8139 Community Development: Principles and Practice
  • P8145 Dynamics of Church and Ministry
  • P8158 Working in a Ministry Team Setting
  • P8159 Denominational Distinctives
  • P8163 Spiritual Leadership
  • P8171 Theory and Practice of Ministry I
  • P9232 Exegeting the Culture
  • P9288 Ministry Identity and Practice
  • P9272 Theory and Practice of Ministry II
  • S8101 Formation in Christian Leadership
  • S8103 Personal Transformation
  • S8105 Transformation in Community
Knowledge

Graduates will have:

  • an integrated understanding of an advanced body of knowledge related to the practice of Christian mission particular to the development of new churches
  • an expert understanding of the principles of inquiry and methods applicable to church planting theory and their application to real-world ministry practice

 

Skills

Graduates will demonstrate advanced specialised cognitive and technical skills in leadership within a church planting-related body of knowledge, so that they are able independently to:

  • analyse critically, reflect on, and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories associated with mission and leadership in the context of a new church initiative
  • critically and appropriately draw upon established church planting theories to provide solutions for complex problems in the development of a new church
  • interpret and transmit transferable church planting-related knowledge, skills and ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

 

Applications of Knowledge and Skills

Graduates will have the ability to:

  • apply transferable knowledge and skills in a way that demonstrates initiative, autonomy, well-developed judgment, adaptability, and responsibility as leaders in the development of new churches
  • plan and execute a substantial research or field-based project in an area of church planting

 

The Unit Learning Outcomes of any units taken into the award contribute to the attainment of the Discipline Learning Outcomes and the Generic Learning Outcomes of the AQF level, as well as the Graduate Attributes of the Award.

 

Exit Points

Students enrolled in the Master of Church Planting may exit with a Graduate Diploma of Church Planting or another AUCD award provided they have met the requirements of the award.

A candidate may seek credit up to a maximum of 36 credit points in the Master of Church Planting.

 

Credit will be granted in accordance with the University College Credit Policy

This award is not approved for CRICOS study.

The Master of Church Planting is offered through the individual colleges and an application for enrolment must be made to the Registrar of the teaching institution. The registrar will be able to help you with any information regarding your study, including fees, units, mode of delivery and timetable.

 

A domestic student at the Australian University College of Divinity is designated as full-time if enrolled in three units (27 credit points) or more in a semester or part-time if enrolled in less than three units (27 credit points) per semester. AUCD offers a wide range of units and students have the option to study one or more units across the colleges delivering AUCD awards, whilst enrolled with one college.

 

International students

International students are subject to the conditions of their Australian student visa and are required to maintain a full-time enrolment of four units (36 credit points) per semester. If you are planning to enrol as an international student, you have the responsibility to ensure that you comply with your visa conditions at all times. Learn more about your responsibilities, rights, and what studying in Australia can offer you. Not all our teaching institutions offer study programs for international students.

 

Check out the locations and courses offered to international students, and for more information email us at aucd@aucd.edu.au