Postgraduate Diploma in Theology

Purpose

The purpose of the Postgraduate Diploma in Theology is to provide theological training for the subset of untrained pastors. The religious leader's influence over their congregations is usually exerted for good, contributing positively to the ethical foundations of society and providing emotional and spiritual support for those in need (e.g. during times of grief and trauma). In some cases, well-intentioned spiritual leaders use their influence in damaging ways because they are uneducated. Well-educated clergy are of great value to the nation through the service they render to their people and communities.

Further, this qualification aims to serve second-career pastors in laying the theological foundations and cultivating the ministry skills that will make them wise, responsible, and ethical ministers of the gospel in their churches and communities. The typical learner has significant experience of ministry and leadership in their church with no formal theological training.

The qualification will focus on both laying theological foundations and cultivating ministry skills. The two courses on the Bible and Theology provide broad, essential knowledge and skills for handling Scripture and doing theology, whereas the two elective courses on Ministry help the learners improve their ministry skills.

Upon completion of the qualification, qualifying learners will be able to

• Utilise the offerings of the digital world effectively in life and ministry settings, thereby creating a conducive environment for spiritual, social, and human development.
• Analyse and evaluate information critically and apply key concepts of analytical thinking.
• Demonstrate essential knowledge of Old and New Testament literature.
• Apply sound hermeneutical skills to comprehend and communicate the message and meaning of the Bible in both African and global contexts.
• Develop and display advanced theological understanding, which serves as a foundation for Christian faith and ministry on the African continent.

Rationale

The Association of Christian Religious Practitioners (ACRP), the South African professional body for Christian religious practitioners, states the need for its existence in these words, the establishment of the organisation was mainly in response to challenges related to ministry standards and ministry training, as experienced by many Christian churches and ministries in South and sub-Saharan Africa. The needs experienced by churches and ministries in the "independent" or "informal" church environment received special attention.

The reality is that a very low percentage, even less than 10%, of Christian ministry leaders in South and sub-Saharan Africa have access to formal ministry training. There are currently more than an estimated 200,000 pastors in South Africa, and more than a million in sub-Saharan Africa, who do not have access to formal training for the work they do. Less than 10 per cent of the pastors in South Africa have formal theological training and the estimated percentage is similar throughout the Global South.

The global trend of mid-life career change is reflected in the large number of professionals who enter vocational ministry as a second career. They hold degrees in other fields, but they need theological and ministerial training to equip them for their new roles. This is the primary group that this qualification intends to serve and is perfectly suited to meet their need.

Second-career pastors constitute a sizeable and growing subset of all pastors. These are people who have diplomas and degrees in non-theological fields, who transition into vocational ministry roles as a second career. They have usually demonstrated an aptitude for the practical aspects of ministry life, but their theological and theoretical foundations are unformed.

This qualification attracts second-career pastors and will therefore meet the needs of potential learners with NQF level 7 qualifications.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL for admission applies, but not RPL for advanced standing.

The policy framework follows the national guideline that up to 10 per cent of the learners registered for a programme may be admitted on the basis of RPL.

Process

The process is that the applicant must submit a portfolio of evidence to support the application for RPL-based admission. The programme coordinator evaluates the portfolio and, in most cases, schedules an interview to assess whether the applicant merits admission and has good prospects of success.

Probation

In all such cases, the applicant will be required to complete one or more courses on NQF level 8 prior to registration. This is to ensure that they have the ability to operate at the required level. RPL for exemption. At the postgraduate level, the institution does not award RPL for advanced standing based on informal or non-formal learning.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Cognate bachelor's degree, NQF level 7

The level 7 qualification may be in any academic discipline.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 8, totalling 72 Credits

• Advanced Theological Studies, 24 Credits.
• Interpreting Biblical Texts, 24 Credits.
• Christian Theology in African Context, 24 Credits.

Elective Modules, Level 8, totalling 48 (Select two)

• Interpreting African Contexts for Ministry, 24 Credits.
• Principles and Practice of Preaching in Context, 24 Credits.
• Church Planting in Africa, 24 Credits.
• The Mission of God in Global Perspective, 24 Credits.
• Biblical Social Justice, 24 Credits.

1. Utilise the offerings of the digital world effectively in life and ministry settings, thereby creating a conducive environment for spiritual, social, and human development.
2. Analyse and evaluate information critically and apply key concepts of analytical thinking.
3. Demonstrate essential knowledge of Old and New Testament literature.
4. Apply sound hermeneutical skills to comprehend and communicate the message and meaning of the Bible in both African and global contexts.
5. Develop and display advanced theological understanding, which serves as a foundation for Christian faith and ministry on the African continent.
6. Demonstrate a range of skills appropriate for your ministry context by linking theory with practice.
7. Demonstrate competence in applying theological principles to real-life and situational ministry contexts.
8. Interpret the historical, political, sociological, economic, and cultural influences of the world on the African continent and provide gospel-driven practical responses affecting transformational and redemptive change.
9. Apply hermeneutical, homiletical, and effective public speaking principles to the task of preaching in diverse ministry settings.
10. Demonstrate academic and theological readiness to undertake further studies at a postgraduate level.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 1.

• Create a conducive environment for spiritual, social, and human development by discriminating between high- and poor-quality electronic resources.
• Develop creative responses to problems and issues by critiquing source materials and synthesising insights using a variety of technologies.
• Communicate ideas and texts effectively to a range of audiences, offering creative insights, rigorous interpretations and solutions to problems and issues appropriate to the context.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 2.

• Critically access good quality resources and process them in creative ways.
• Interpret primary and secondary sources responsibly and insightfully.
• Interrogate multiple sources to synthesise well-informed arguments and applications.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 3.

• Illustrate a broad and deep knowledge of the content of the Bible.
• Engage relevant scriptures responsibly and insightfully to communicate the message and meaning of the Bible in both African and global contexts.
• Apply knowledge to show familiarity with scholarly sources and debates about various aspects of the Bible.
• Take full responsibility for the academic quality and integrity of your work.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 4.

• Appy good software and texts to study Bible passages and sound principles of biblical interpretation.
• Discerning the misuse of Scripture in ministry contexts.
• Engage constructively with key passages of Scripture on topics under investigation.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 5.

• Illustrate an accurate understanding of the history, methods, debates, and major schools of thought in Christian theology.
• Employ evangelical methods of theological analysis and synthesis to answer contemporary and contextual questions.
• Contextualise foreign theories in order to apply them in context.
• Identify, analyse, and address contemporary ethical issues in ways that harmonise biblical, scientific, and cultural wisdom.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 6.

• Interpret texts and synthesise multiple sources to create new products or perspectives.
• Illustrate competence and write clearly and convincingly for a variety of audiences.
• Analyse situations and solve problems in real-life settings through the application of theological principles.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 7.

• Draw upon disciplinary knowledge to address real-world ministry problems.
• Apply the five-step systematic approach to problem-solving.
• Evaluate the pros and cons of using a particular theory to address a concrete situation.
• Discerning and navigating the ethical implications of actions and solutions with wisdom.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 8.

• Engage critically and creatively with influential African thinkers.
• Critique the transferability and applicability of Western theological constructs to African situations and contexts.
• Employ selected models of theological reflection the develop gospel-driven approaches to questions, problems, and needs.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 9.

• Interpret the Bible soundly for the purposes of preaching and teaching.
• Prepare the bible-based, Christ-centred expositions of texts or topics.
• Deliver powerful and persuasive messages and behave in an ethical manner from the pulpit.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 10.

• Carefully edit and write papers that are carefully edited, properly referenced, academically rigorous, and theologically informative or persuasive.
• Select and apply sound methods of social and theological inquiry to solve theoretical and practical problems.
• Illustrate awareness of the complexity involved in a rigorous investigation of theological and ministerial problems.