Studying for Accreditation as a Lay Preacher

Leading worship and preaching is both a privilege and a blessing. Worship is at the heart of Christian discipleship and Christian community. Many local church leaders have read the Scriptures, led prayers, shared their faith stories and conducted other aspects of congregational worship. 

Lay Preacher Studies allow you to go a step further, grounding your worship leadership in deeper understanding of the Bible and Christian teachings, and increasing your understandings and skills in worship leadership and preaching. As a church we value the ministry of lay preachers. We are also committed to equipping them in the best possible way and resourcing them in their service to the church.

The ministry of Lay Preacher is a specified lay ministry within the Uniting Church. In order to become a lay preacher, a person becomes a candidate for this ministry, undertakes prescribed studies and gains supervised practical experience. Talk to your minister if you are interested in pursuing this ministry.

From 2012, the Adelaide College of Divinity will offer the following topics at Certificate IV level towards accreditation as a Uniting Church Lay Preacher. These subjects are part of a new qualification - Certificate IV in Christian Life and Ministry. There will no longer be a separate Certificate II in Lay Preacher Studies. Hours indicated are learning times, including any class time (usually about 1/3 of the total hours). This replaces the former system of unit points. (please contact the ACD regarding availability of these units)

Engaging in the Gospels (60 hours)
Engaging in the Christian Scriptures (60 hours)
Engaging in the Christian Faith (60 hours)
Special Theology Elective A - Christology (60 hours)
Special Ministry Elective A - Worship in the Uniting Church (60 hours)
Make a Presentation: Preaching in the Uniting Church (60 hours) 

Those wishing to complete a Certificate IV will need to complete additional units, as the above units do not comprise a complete Certificate IV. The required units are: 

Engaging in the Christian Life (60 hours)
Engaging in Culturally Appropriate Mission (60 hours)
Develop Healthy Groups (20 hours)
Write complex documents (30 hours) 

In addition, the following unit will be available as a Diploma level elective, Special Theology Elective B - Sacraments in the Uniting Church 

Those who wish to become accredited Lay Preachers but do not wish to complete a Certificate IV will receive an ACD transcript indicating units completed and a letter from Uniting College indicating whether UCA Lay Preacher study requirements have been met.

For further information on how to apply to become an accredited Lay Preacher in SA, please contact Max Howland. 

Credit can be given for previous studies completed, and Recognition of Prior Learning is also possible. Please note that a fee will be charged for RPL assessment. 

The above units will be available for study in class distance mode in 2012. Some subjects will be available in online distance mode from the beginning of 2012, with the remaining subject online from Semester 2, 2012.

Information about fees and enrolment, see the ACD Handbook  http://www.acd.edu.au/courses/timetables.php

For more information, contact Nichola Shaw.