The Bishop's Certificate of Ministry
Equipping the Saints for Ministry
About the Certificate: The Bishop’s Certificate of Ministry operates under the authority of the Bunbury Diocesan Bishop-in-Council: but is managed by the Bunbury Diocesan Education Council. The Diocesan Policy on Ministry recognizes that there are three essentials in the formation / equipping / training of persons called to ministry as a part of the Body of Christ
·Discipleship
·Theological Understanding
·The Spiritual Life
The Certificate of Ministry initially equips students for ministry within the Body of Christ and the life of the Diocese. Those with specific Ministries (Pastoral Assistants) are also encouraged to develop their ministry through the Theological, Biblical and Pastoral Training offered in the Certificate.
In order to be licensed to Preach or Teach within Parishes of this Diocese, one must have passed, or be studying the Bishop’s Certificate of Ministry, at least.
It is understood that through their studies / ministry: some students may come to identify a call to ordination. The Bishop’s Certificate of Ministry is highly recommended for those seeking to discern such a call, but it should not be regarded as an academic standard for ordination.
The Ordination Council will advise ordination candidates as to the best course of study.
The Prime Objectives:
--> To equip the saints for the ministry of the Body of Christ.
--> To provide both practical and academic skills to enable students to take their place in Team
--> Ministry in the life of the Diocese.
--> To bond students into the ethos of the Anglican Church.
--> To encourage personal and spiritual maturity.
Entry Requirements:
Prospective students must provide evidence that:
--> They have a definite commitment to Christ and his Church
--> They have a settled and active congregational life for at least the last twelve months
--> They have a desire to serve Christ within the life of the Anglican Church
--> Their application has the support of their Parish Priest or the Priest who has pastoral oversight of the Parish at the time
There are no academic requirements for entry. Students may wish to purchase “The Essay” A guide to writing essays and reports from Curtin University.
Method of Study
Those who feel called to engage in ministry are encouraged to study the Bishop’s Certificate of Ministry: which can be studied at one of these three levels.
The Certificate of Encouragement:
Assessment is as follows: Students may “audit” (attendance and class participation only) 8 of 16 units offered in BCM.
The Bishop’s Certificate of Ministry
Students must complete all 16 units listed below.
Assessment: Students will be required to answer a series of questions requiring a short (one sentence) answer, and write a brief essay as required by the tutor of the unit. Details will be given in the unit notes or by the lecturer.
FEES: So as to encourage members of our Diocesan Family to equip themselves academically for ministry we are only charging $25.00 per unit for those attending the teachings centres: and $30.00 per unit for those studying externally. Purchasing the set books (or Block Readings) is the responsibility of the student and the cost of these is not included in the above. This fee simply covers the course material and tuition.
Accreditation: Students may apply for accreditation for other certificate courses. Accreditation is at the discretion of the Education Council. Those seeking accreditation should apply in writing to:
The Bunbury Diocesan Education Council
Fr. Joe Hopkins (Archdeacon/MDO)
13 Cross Street
BUNBURY WA 6230
Teaching Centres for BCM: The Bishop’s Certificate of Ministry is being taught on a regular basis in each of the following Centres. For details of when and where, please phone the contact person as listed:
We are currently looking to establish another teaching centre in a Parish along the Albany Highway, through the centre of the Diocese.
For those not able to attend these centres, we provide other methods of study: read on:
Units that comprise the Bishop’s Certificate of Ministry
The following sixteen units are those authorised for the Bishop’s Certificate of Ministry. However as the course has evolved to this stage over the past ten years: those units that were once authorised, but are no longer taught, will still be honoured and attract a credit. The aim is for students to study one unit per term, and therefore complete the course in four years. The course details are:
There is no specific order in which these units must be studied, however OT1 and NT1 should precede OT2 and NT2 for obvious reasons.
BCM Diploma:
Having completed the sixteen (16) units of the Bishop’s Certificate of Ministry: participants can then continue their studies by completing a further eight (8) units, to qualify for the BCM Diploma. These units are as follows.
Students will submit two essays for each unit so as their progress can be assessed.
External Studies:
Those who are unable to travel to one of the Centres that teach units of the Bishop’s Certificate of Ministry on a regular basis, can study each of the units at home, as an external student.
Through the Bunbury Diocesan Education Council, application can be made to study externally. All sixteen units will be available. Upon application, those interested in taking up this option will be sent a set of lecture notes which will include the questions or essay topic for assessment. The cost of each unit by external study is $30 (only $15 if notes are supplied via email). In several parishes two or three members are studying externally, but working together as a group. By doing this you can reduce the costs a little.
BCM Accreditation:
As the Perth College of Divinity is no longer offering Accreditation for courses studied, we are no longer an accredited course. However, when all units for the BCM Diploma are completed we will investigate this further
Remember our Diocesan Mission Statement.
We are a Diocesan family,
Growing into the likeness of Jesus,
All owning the Ministry of Christ.
Download registration form here.
Proposed program 2012
--> To equip the saints for the ministry of the Body of Christ.
--> To provide both practical and academic skills to enable students to take their place in Team
--> Ministry in the life of the Diocese.
--> To bond students into the ethos of the Anglican Church.
--> To encourage personal and spiritual maturity.
Entry Requirements:
Prospective students must provide evidence that:
--> They have a definite commitment to Christ and his Church
--> They have a settled and active congregational life for at least the last twelve months
--> They have a desire to serve Christ within the life of the Anglican Church
--> Their application has the support of their Parish Priest or the Priest who has pastoral oversight of the Parish at the time
There are no academic requirements for entry. Students may wish to purchase “The Essay” A guide to writing essays and reports from Curtin University.
Method of Study
Those who feel called to engage in ministry are encouraged to study the Bishop’s Certificate of Ministry: which can be studied at one of these three levels.
The Certificate of Encouragement:
Assessment is as follows: Students may “audit” (attendance and class participation only) 8 of 16 units offered in BCM.
The Bishop’s Certificate of Ministry
Students must complete all 16 units listed below.
Assessment: Students will be required to answer a series of questions requiring a short (one sentence) answer, and write a brief essay as required by the tutor of the unit. Details will be given in the unit notes or by the lecturer.
FEES: So as to encourage members of our Diocesan Family to equip themselves academically for ministry we are only charging $25.00 per unit for those attending the teachings centres: and $30.00 per unit for those studying externally. Purchasing the set books (or Block Readings) is the responsibility of the student and the cost of these is not included in the above. This fee simply covers the course material and tuition.
Accreditation: Students may apply for accreditation for other certificate courses. Accreditation is at the discretion of the Education Council. Those seeking accreditation should apply in writing to:
The Bunbury Diocesan Education Council
Fr. Joe Hopkins (Archdeacon/MDO)
13 Cross Street
BUNBURY WA 6230
Teaching Centres for BCM: The Bishop’s Certificate of Ministry is being taught on a regular basis in each of the following Centres. For details of when and where, please phone the contact person as listed:
| Albany | Mrs. Margaret Stone | 9842 3726 |
| Bunbury | Rev'd. Betty Jones | 9721 2234 |
| Dunsborough | Rev'd Desiree Snyman | 9759 1637 |
| Mandurah | Mrs. Hilary Kan | 9582 1532 |
We are currently looking to establish another teaching centre in a Parish along the Albany Highway, through the centre of the Diocese.
For those not able to attend these centres, we provide other methods of study: read on:
Units that comprise the Bishop’s Certificate of Ministry
The following sixteen units are those authorised for the Bishop’s Certificate of Ministry. However as the course has evolved to this stage over the past ten years: those units that were once authorised, but are no longer taught, will still be honoured and attract a credit. The aim is for students to study one unit per term, and therefore complete the course in four years. The course details are:
| Unit No. | Unit Title | Author/Tutor |
| Certificate Level | ||
| 1. | The Message of the Old Testament (OT1) | Fr David Mackay |
| 2. | The Message of the New Testament (NT1) | Rev Desiree Snyman |
| 3. | The Sacraments and Sacramental Rites | |
| 4. | Growing Healthy Churches | Fr. Glen Rebello |
| 5. | Introduction to Preaching (P. 1) | Bp Allan Ewing |
| 6. | Anglican Identity | Bp Allan Ewing |
| 7. | Introduction to Discipleship | Fr. Joe Hopkins |
| 8. | Introduction to Pastoral Care | Mrs Mandy Davies |
| Diploma Level | ||
| 9. | The Prophets (OT2) | Fr David Mackay |
| 10. | The Life and Letters of St Paul | |
| 11. | Anglican Worship and Theology | |
| 12. | The Gospels (NT3) | Bp Allan Ewing |
| 13. | Faith with Understanding | Fr. Geoff Chadwick |
| 14. | Reformation History | Rev M Esslemont |
| 15. | Spiritual Formation | Fr. S. MacPherson |
| 16. | Creeds and Heresies | Rev M Esslemont |
There is no specific order in which these units must be studied, however OT1 and NT1 should precede OT2 and NT2 for obvious reasons.
BCM Diploma:
Having completed the sixteen (16) units of the Bishop’s Certificate of Ministry: participants can then continue their studies by completing a further eight (8) units, to qualify for the BCM Diploma. These units are as follows.
| 17. | Hermeneutics and Homiletics | Fr S. MacPherson |
| 18. | Anglican Ministry and Contemporary Australian Culture | Fr Paul Cannon |
| 19. | Mission in the Australian Context | |
| 20. | Christ and the Body of Christ | |
| 21. | The Good, The True and The Beautiful | Fr Geoff Chadwick |
| 22. | Perspectives of Theology | Rev Desiree Snyman |
| 23. | The Psalms (OT3) | Fr David Mackay |
| 24. | The Apocalyptic Writings | Fr Darryl Cotton |
Students will submit two essays for each unit so as their progress can be assessed.
External Studies:
Those who are unable to travel to one of the Centres that teach units of the Bishop’s Certificate of Ministry on a regular basis, can study each of the units at home, as an external student.
Through the Bunbury Diocesan Education Council, application can be made to study externally. All sixteen units will be available. Upon application, those interested in taking up this option will be sent a set of lecture notes which will include the questions or essay topic for assessment. The cost of each unit by external study is $30 (only $15 if notes are supplied via email). In several parishes two or three members are studying externally, but working together as a group. By doing this you can reduce the costs a little.
BCM Accreditation:
As the Perth College of Divinity is no longer offering Accreditation for courses studied, we are no longer an accredited course. However, when all units for the BCM Diploma are completed we will investigate this further
Remember our Diocesan Mission Statement.
We are a Diocesan family,
Growing into the likeness of Jesus,
All owning the Ministry of Christ.
Download registration form here.
Proposed program 2012
THE BISHOP’S CERTIFICATE OF MINISTRY
Was nominated for the award of
OUTSTANDING ONGOING PROGRAMME
During the
Western Australian
2001 Adult Learners Week
Was nominated for the award of
OUTSTANDING ONGOING PROGRAMME
During the
Western Australian
2001 Adult Learners Week