Programme Description
The Diploma in Christian Studies (Christian Leadership—Mission) is a 120-credit one-year full-time (or part-time equivalent) programme consisting of six courses at level 5.
The Christian Leadership track of this diploma has half the credits in the programme, which involves significant engagement in a practical placement. A full-time student will spend 15 hours per week in a supervised ministry placement, including oversight by their supervisor and time with a mentor. Placements can be in many varied settings, and may sometimes involve a ‘block’ component during the year. The timing of any ‘block’ placement may be flexible, within course requirements, and every placement is individually negotiated.
Past students have worked in specific church-based ministries, music ministry, Christian camps, outreach settings, and chaplaincy, among other settings. Specific arrangements exist for developing leadership through the practice of visual art and music and can also be arranged for an overseas mission focus.
LOCATION
Students are able to study and undertake their placement away from Bishopdale’s campus in Nelson, engaging with most or all classes via a video conference platform (normally Zoom).
STUDY FORMAT
The placement hours connect directly into two courses that make up half the diploma:
· Leadership Internship I (first semester, 30 credits)
· Leadership Internship II (second semester, 30 credits)
These courses include classroom work and a variety of assignments. They focus on learning appropriate theory and engaging that theory in practice, with significant emphasis on learning through intentional reflection.
The remaining three courses focus on gaining important theological skills in theology and biblical studies. These courses are intended to give learners transferable skills and provide a ‘toolkit’ for ongoing learning and growth in understanding God’s mission and engagement with the world in which we are placed. The final course, Formation, merges classroom teaching with experiential learning by focusing on the spiritual life of Christians in the presence, empowerment, and healing work of God’s Spirit.
Courses
THEOLOGY: INTRODUCTION
Gain an introduction to systematic theology and learn to think theologically. We examine God’s self-revelation, how we can understand that revelation, and why it is foundational for our faith. We then explore the arrangement of this revelation into a set of core beliefs and their application to everyday living.
FORMATION
Reflect on personal and communal spiritual formation, through engagement with Scripture, theological understandings and a variety of Christian spiritual traditions. Your reflection will include (1) evaluation of key aspects of your own formation, (2) evaluation of your experiences of personal and communal strategies intended to facilitate spiritual growth, and (3) the development of spiritual practices which will strengthen your contribution to enhancing human wellbeing within your own social and cultural contexts.
BIBLICAL THEOLOGY
Gain an introduction to the big story of Holy Scripture, learn how this forms the structure of biblical theology and understand the Christian gospel as the centre of biblical theology.
MISSION, CHURCH & COMMUNITY
Explore and evaluate a range of mission, church, and community-based programmes and apply faith-based principles in Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond. Learners will reflect on how personal and communal expressions of faith can enhance the well-being of others in a range of social and cultural contexts.
LEADERSHIP INTERNSHIP I
This course aims to evaluate Christian leadership models within the context of church, mission, and community ministries. Interns will build, lead, and contribute to teams in a way which reflects their sense of call and personal strengths, and through the application of leadership practices that enhance the goals of their chosen ministry. (Half of your semester one work will be on this course.)
LEADERSHIP INTERNSHIP II
This course aims to apply a range of key Christian leadership skills to develop and lead a team. The intern will plan and execute an assigned ministry project which will contribute to the goals of a church, mission, or community ministry. (Half of your semester two work will be on this course.)