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Continuing Education
An invitation to life long learning…
Or: Why do continuing education?
People in specified ministries are encouraged to do continuing education to:
- deepen your devotion to Christ;
- explore creative new scholarship
- enhance your passion for ministry;
- be encouraged by colleagues;
- enrich the practice of ministry
- help overcome the isolation of ministry and explore new directions for the church and ministry in a changed context.
Continuing education should not be a burden but a source of delight, inspiration, passion and new insights.
Money and time.
The terms of placement mandate 14 days study leave each year for full time placements. You are encouraged to make full use of that leave. The term of settlement now includes a $1850 professional development grant, some of which is designed to help with your continuing education needs. The CTM offers grants to help ministers in placement in Victoria and Tasmania attend conferences in Australia and overseas or to help them undertake postgraduate study. Contact the CTM or see our website for more information about grants.
Many CTM programs are available to travel to your Presbytery for a seminar in your setting. Coolamon college resources are also available for distance study alone or with colleagues. Contact us for further information at: info@ctm.uca.edu.au
Learning agreements
To help give shape to your continuing education the Assembly guidelines Seeking a heart of wisdom recommend that core areas of study to include in continuing education are spiritual growth; biblical studies; theology and church history; skills for the practice of ministry and reflecting on society and culture. Ordinarily you should try to devote half your time over the course of your five-year learning agreement across all the core areas. You should devote the other half in ways that you think will best help you in your current placement and will sustain you for ministry. Seeking a heart of wisdom including a learning agreement outline can be downloaded from this page. Your learning agreement should be submitted to your Presbytery. The aim of the learning agreement is to help you get the most out of your continuing education through planning ahead.
Hopes and expectations
Before you finalise your learning agreement it might be good to think about what you hope for in your continuing education. Reflect for a time on what you want to be different about you and your ministry after a specified period of time.
- What do hope you will know or understand as a result of this period of study?
- How do you hope you will feel about an aspect of your ministry or your life ?
- What competence or skill do you hope to acquire or increase?
- What decision do you hope you will be ready to make?
Discuss your hopes and goals as well as your actual learning agreement with your supervisor, church council or trusted friend or colleague.
You can also discuss your learning agreement or your continuing education needs with Sharon Hollis - the Continuing Education Coordinator at the CTM on 9340 8800 or info@ctm.uca.edu.au
All black and white Pictures (c)JLPInternational/Paulist Press Christian Clipart, Volume 2
Used with permission.
