Higher Certificate in Ministry

Purpose

The Higher Certificate in Ministry is designed to provide education and training men and women, who have called to a life of Christian service. The qualification is also designed to prepare learners for ministry and leadership in the church with the desired aim to enable them to be community builders and agents of change in their respective context.

Rationale

The qualification is consonant with the institution's mission, forms part of the institutional planning and resource allocation, meets national requirements, the needs of learners and other stakeholders, and is intellectually credible. It is designed coherently and articulates well with other relevant qualifications. The qualification will equip the learner to access employment within the field of Ministry.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

A comprehensive RPL Policy ensures that learners may receive credit for life-long, informal, non-formal learning and work experience demonstrated through a comprehensive written Learning Narrative. Credits may be given for RPL. The institution's Registrar oversees the RPL process for any learner who qualifies.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4, or equivalent.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 5 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, 72 Credits

• Introduction to the Bible, 12 Credits.
• Communications and Study methods, 12 Credits.
• Nazarene History, 12 Credits.
• Personal Growth and Development, 12 Credits.
• Discipleship for all Ages, 12 Credits.
• Theology of Holiness, 12 Credits.

Elective Modules, 48 Credits (Choose any four modules)

• Christianity through the Ages, 12 Credits.
• World Religions, 12 Credits.
• Ministry in an HIV context, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Preaching, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Counselling, 12 Credits.
• Counseling Troubled Youth, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Psychology, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Sociology, 12 Credits.

1. Describe and apply the foundation for understanding and interpreting Scripture, the theology of the Christian faith, and the history and mission of the Church of Jesus Christ.
2. Explain the development of the Canon, text, and transmission of the New Testament with regards to the political, historical, and religious currents of the intertestamental period that form the milieu of the New Testament period.
3. Describe and apply the methods and tools of biblical interpretation and their application to various literary types found in Scripture.
4. Demonstrate competence in the doctrine and lifestyle of Christian holiness as taught in Scripture and developed in Wesleyan theology.
5. Use the life and teachings of Jesus Christ to communicate Christian teachings and morality to transform community groups and or individuals.
6. Describe and apply competencies relating to pastoral skills in communication, administration, leadership, and performance of other pastoral responsibilities.
7. Describe key elements regarding the role of pastoral counselling in the church and community and apply faith to transform communities and individuals.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Give a personal account of own faith experience.
• Participate in a faith community through the teachings of the Bible.
• Develop an understanding of the mission of the Christian church through church planting strategies.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Teach the life, teachings, and ministry of Jesus Christ and sources of knowledge about Him to church and community organisations.
• Outline and articulate key doctrines and histories according to the Bible.
• Describe the purpose, sources, and critical elements of biblical doctrine with contextualised examples that are culturally relevant.
• Describe the concepts of salvation for all humankind and discipleship within a biblical context.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Describe and explain key biblical texts about the relevant environment.
• Articulate central biblical principles in a contextual manner.
• Prepare and deliver contextually relevant sermons following biblical truths.
• Effectively share and communicate personal faith to diverse groups and individuals.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Emulate and teach the biblical foundations for the doctrine, experience, and life of Christian holiness.
• Describe the implication of a Wesleyan commitment to Christian holiness for living an ethical life through sermon deliverance and Bible study teachings.
• Describe and teach Christian holiness within the broad framework of biblical theology and its relevance in postmodernity is described and interpreted.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Show the relevance of Christian life to contemporary living through the teachings of Jesus Christ, by written or oral means.
• Demonstrate and explain the continuing significance and value of the gospels for the faith and life of the church and community to groups and individuals.
• Respond to the holistic needs of individuals and community groups through assessment principles such as surveys or oral reports.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Effectively communicate personal faith to individuals and groups.
• Model and apply Christian leadership and ethical management principles to individuals and groups.
• Record needs within the community and implements a plan to address the concerns.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Convey the Wesleyan-holiness concept of wholeness in Christ as an invaluable counselling paradigm to individuals with cultural relevance.
• Demonstrate the ministry of pastoral presence in grief or crises episodes.
• Apply counselling skills with cultural relevance to faith and community groups or individuals.
• Explain and teach grief counselling skills to individuals and community groups who face multiple losses.
• Articulate the role of the pastor in pre-marital counselling to engaged couples.
• Model the nurturing of one's marriage through a dynamic and growing Christian marital relationship.

Integrated Assessment

All assessment practices at the institution follow the institutional Assessment Policy, which ensures that assessment practices are open, transparent, fair, valid, and reliable and that no learner is disadvantaged in any way. An integrated approach to assessment is incorporated into the qualification.

Bloom's Taxonomy of Educational Objectives is used to assess research papers, class reports, group projects, case studies, etc. Learners must demonstrate competence through a variety of assessment practices:

• Reading of texts and comprehensive reading reports.
• Oral reports on research projects.
• Group assessment through joint research projects.
• Simulated in-class role-plays.
• Practicum preaching workshops.
• Peer group evaluations of preaching practicums.
• Case study reports.
• Comprehensive written assignments.
• Comprehensive written final examination (3 hours).