The Master of Ministry (MMin) is a professional graduate program designed for those who have a degree in another discipline and who have felt the call of God to be ministers of the Gospel. The Master of Ministry is designed to prepare students to serve as ministers in the church and wider community.
The MMin 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 an externship.
The MMin 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).
To qualify for admission, an applicant must have achieved:
In exceptional circumstances an applicant may be admitted based on qualifications deemed equivalent as assessed by the Course Convenor in consultation with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic).
This course has additional entry requirements which are listed below.
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:
^Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom, or the United States of America.
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 maximum time to complete the course is eight years.
The 16 units required to complete the course are:
Unit Code | Unit Name | Semester offered |
---|---|---|
BBNT46110 | Greek | 1 |
BBNT56130 | Gospels of Matthew & John | 2 |
BBOT46110 | Pentateuch in Context | 1 |
BBBI56110 | Daniel & the Apocalypses | 2 - Odd years |
BBNT56120 | New Testament Epistles | 2 |
THEO46110 | Theology & Belief | 1 |
THEO56140 | Eschatology & Salvation | 2 - Even years |
THEO56120 | Adventist Heritage | 1 - Odd years |
THEO56150 | Ecclesiology & Doctrine of the Sabbath | 1 - Even years |
THEO46230 | Church History | 2 |
CHMN56150 | World Mission & Evangelism | 1 - Even years |
CHMN46160 | Family Systems in Ministry | 2 - Even years |
CHMN46110 | Church & Ministry | 1 |
CHMN56140 | Biblical Preaching | 2 |
CHMN46130 | Personal Evangelism & Discipleship | 1 - Odd years |
CHMN56180 | Pastoral Leadership & Church Management | 2 - Odd years |
The recommended program for full-time students commencing in even years is shown below.
Starting Even Year | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Semester | Unit 1 | Unit 2 | Unit 3 | Unit 4 |
1 | BBNT46110 Greek | THEO46110 Theology & Belief | CHMN56150 World Mission & Evangelism CHURCH PLACEMENT | THEO56150 Ecclesiology & Sabbath |
2 | BBNT56130 Gospels of Matthew & John | THEO56140 Eschatology & Salvation | CHMN46160 Family Systems in Ministry CHURCH PLACEMENT | THEO46230 Church History |
3 | BBOT46110 Pentateuch in Context | THEO56120 Adventist Heritage | CHMN46110 Church & Ministry CHURCH PLACEMENT | CHMN46130 Personal Evangelism & Discipleship EXTERNSHIP |
4 | BBBI56110 Daniel & the Apocalypses | BBNT56120 New Testament Epistles | CHMN56140 Biblical Preaching CHURCH PLACEMENT | CHMN56180 Pastoral Leadership & Church Management CHURCH PLACEMENT |
The recommended program for full-time students commencing in odd years is shown below.
Starting Odd Year | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Semester | Unit 1 | Unit 2 | Unit 3 | Unit 4 |
1 | BBNT46110 Greek | THEO46110 Theology & Belief | THEO56120 Adventist Heritage | CHMN46130 Personal Evangelism & Discipleship EXTERNSHIP |
2 | BBNT56130 Gospels of Matthew & John | BBBI56110 Daniel & the Apocalypses | CHMN56180 Pastoral Leadership & Church Management CHURCH PLACEMENT | THEO46230 Church History |
3 | BBOT46110 Pentateuch in Context | THEO56150 Ecclesiology & Sabbath | CHMN56150 World Mission & Evangelism EXTERNSHIP | CHMN46110 Church & Ministry CHURCH PLACEMENT |
4 | BBNT56120 New Testament Epistles | THEO56140 Eschatology & Salvation | CHMN46160 Family Systems in Ministry CHURCH PLACEMENT | CHMN56140 Biblical Preaching CHURCH PLACEMENT |
To find out more about any of the units listed here, copy the unit code and then search for that unit here.
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:
1. Placements: Students are on placement for 4 hours/week for 10 consecutive weeks in a local church or school under the supervision of a pastoral mentor.
2. Externships: Students are immersed in an evangelistic context for 10 consecutive days, inclusive of two weekends.
Students are supported throughout their field education experience.
Field Education Units | ||
---|---|---|
Unit Code | Unit Name | Placement type |
CHMN46110 | Church & Ministry | Placement |
CHMN46130 | Personal Evangelism & Discipleship | Placement |
CHMN46160 | Family Systems in Ministry | Placement |
CHMN56140 | Biblical Preaching | Placement |
CHMN56150 | World Mission & Evangelism | Externship |
CHMN56180 | Pastoral Leadership & Church Management | Placement |
An AdSafe Certificate of Completion for Safe Churches must be obtained prior to Church Placement. Students will complete the training for this certificate online. Additional in-person AdSafe training is provided as part of the course.
Seventh-day Adventist graduates of the MMin 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 MMin should liaise with officers of their own denomination to determine the ministry requirements that apply to them.
The Master of Ministry (MMin) allows students to meet the changing needs of churches in our society today. Men and women with a Master of Ministry will be equipped to serve as a:
The MMin fulfills the Master’s level pre-requisite required for those wishing to complete a Doctorate in Ministry.