The Bachelor of Ministry and Theology (BMinTh) is an undergraduate program designed for those who have felt the call of God to be ministers of the Gospel. The BMinTh is designed to prepare students to serve as ministers in the church and wider community. Students study units in church ministry, theology, and biblical studies, with an optional major in chaplaincy, extending career opportunities.
The BMinTh integrates deep Biblical knowledge with practical experience to equip men and women with the knowledge and skills needed to build a strong church and community and strengthen ministry networks and contacts. Practical experience opportunities include church placements and externship experiences.
The BMinTh can be studied on campus or online providing students with the flexibility to balance study with work and family commitments.
Avondale is an institutional member of the Australian and New Zealand Association of Theological Studies Limited (ANZATS) and the Australian and New Zealand Association of Theological Field Educators (ANZATFE).
There are many options for satisfying the entry requirements for our courses. An applicant needs to meet at least one of the following entry requirements to be given an offer to study at Avondale.
*Applicants must not be a current year 12 (or equivalent) student and must be 18 years or older at the time of commencing their course.
If a Senior Secondary Certificate has not been completed, an eligible applicant may sit an admission test (uniTEST and TOWA or the Skills for Tertiary Admission Test).
In exceptional circumstances, an applicant may be admitted based on equivalent qualifications or work and life experience as assessed by the Course Convenor or delegate and/or the DVC Academic
From 2025, all incoming theology students will also be required to undertake psychological testing (at their own expense) as recommended by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. Further information is available from the Course Convenor.
This course is available to international students who meet the Australian government requirements for a student visa to reside in Australia for the duration of the course. It is also available online for international students residing outside Australia. For information regarding visas refer to https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-finder/study.
Applicants whose primary language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency through one of the following:
Applicants who have completed prior study may be eligible for advanced standing (credit recognition). Applicants should discuss their eligibility for advanced standing with the Admissions Team or the Course Convenor.
The Bachelor of Ministry & Theology (BMinTh) consists of 32 units and requires 192 credit points for completion. All units are worth six credit points unless otherwise stated.
The 32 units required to complete the course are:
Core units | 2 units in Biblical Languages 1 unit in Seventh-day Adventist History & Heritage 1 unit in Health and Wellbeing |
Discipline units | 8 units in Biblical Studies 8 -10 units in Church Ministry 8 units in Theology AND 8 units in Chaplaincy ~ Optional (creates a fourth major) |
Elective units | 2 units chosen from any undergraduate course (with due consideration of any pre-requisite requirements) Chaplaincy major students do not choose any electives |
All students complete a major (minimum 8 units) in three areas: Biblical Studies, Theology, and Church Ministry. Students can elect to add a major in Chaplaincy by selecting Pathway 2 below. Course Convenor advice regarding pathways and units is highly recommended.
Core Units | Discipline Units | Elective Units | Total Units | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Three majors | 4 | 26 | 2 | 32 |
Four majors | 4 | 28 | 0 | 32 |
These units are mandatory and should be taken as early as possible in the course:
BBOT16110 | Hebrew 1A |
BBNT26110 | NT Greek 1A |
THEO16120 | Introduction to Adventist Heritage |
WHPE10101 | Foundations of Wellbeing |
BBNT16150 | New Testament Epistles 1 |
BBOT26110 | Hebrew Prophets |
BBOT26120 | Torah |
BBNT36110 | Exegesis of John |
BBNT36120 | Exegesis of Matthew |
BBNT36150 | New Testament Epistles 2 |
BBOT36110 | Daniel |
BBNT36140 | Revelation |
CHMN16110 | Biblical Spirituality & Ministry |
CHMN16140 | Introduction to Psychology for Ministry |
CHMN26110 | Ministry & Church Leadership 1 |
CHMN26130 | Discipleship Evangelism |
CHMN26140 | Preaching |
CHMN26170 | Contemporary Youth Ministry |
CHMN26180 | Digital Ministry |
CHMN36110 | Ministry & Church Leadership 2 |
CHMN36120 | Contemporary Ministry to Families |
CHMN36130 | Evangelism & Church Planting |
THEO16110 | Theology & Faith |
THEO16130 | Survey of Ethics & Philosophy |
THEO26110 | Revelation, Inspiration & Hermeneutics |
THEO26150 | History of Christianity |
THEO26130 | Religion & Belief in Australasia |
THEO36110 | Salvation & Eschatology |
THEO36120 | The Doctrine of God & the Work of Christ |
THEO36130 | Ecclesiology & Sabbath |
CHPL21100 | Principles & Practice of Chaplaincy |
CHPL31100 | Clinical Pastoral Experience I |
CHPL31110 | Clinical Pastoral Experience II |
CNSL11100 | Foundational Counselling Skills |
CNSL21120 | Emotional & Behavioural Responses |
PLUS: | an additional 3 units from the Church Ministry Major |
CHMN16140 | Introduction to Psychology for Ministry |
CHMN26170 | Contemporary Youth Ministry |
CHMN36120 | Contemporary Ministry to Families |
All Church Ministry (CHMN) coded units are associated with a form of work integrated learning, which in theological circles is referred to as supervised field education. Field education is an apprenticeship whereby ministry students are teamed with pastors who supervise, support and mentor the student throughout ministry placements which can occur in various settings. Supervising trainee pastors in real-world settings is central to ministry formation. It allows students to integrate theological content with practical ministry and provides students with the opportunity to experience ministry in various circumstances. Field education also enables students to develop a deeper knowledge of their spiritual gifts, strengths, and weaknesses.
Students experience two types of supervised field education:
Students are supported throughout their field education experience.
Field Education Units | ||
---|---|---|
Unit Code | Unit Name | Placement |
CHMN16110 | Biblical Spirituality & Ministry | Church Placement |
CHMN16140 | Introduction to Psychology for Ministry | School Placement |
CHMN26110 | Ministry & Church Leadership I | Church Placement |
CHMN26130 | Discipleship Evangelism | Externship |
CHMN26140 | Preaching | Church Placement |
CHMN26170 | Contemporary Youth Ministry | Church Placement |
CHMN26180 | Digital Ministry | Church Placement |
CHMN36110 | Ministry & Church Leadership II | Church Placement |
CHMN36120 | Contemporary Ministry to Families | Church Placement |
CHMN36130 | Evangelism & Church Planting | Externship |
Seventh-day Adventist graduates of the BMinTh are eligible to begin a ministry internship in a local conference. After two years of internship, their progress is reviewed to determine if they are ready for a ministerial or commissioned licence. A further three or more years of satisfactory ministry practice is necessary before they can be considered for ordination or commissioning and a full ministerial / commissioned credential is issued.
Other graduates of the BMinTh should liaise with officers of their own denomination to determine the ministry requirements that apply to them.
The Bachelor of Ministry and Theology allows students to meet the changing needs of churches in our society today. Men and women with a Bachelor of Ministry and Theology will be equipped to serve as a:
Church Pastor
Youth Pastor
School or Community Chaplain
Pastoral Educator
Evangelist
Church Planter