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School of Pastoral Theology [SPT]
Students accepted into the School of Pastoral Theology of the ALC aspire to ordination as pastors in the Lutheran Church of Australia upon completion of their studies.
AdmissionThe authority to admit students to the School of Pastoral Theology [SPT] at Australian Lutheran College [ALC] is vested in the teaching staff and exercised through the Admissions Committee, which consists of the head of school, teaching staff members, and lay people of the LCA.
The academic requirement for admission to the SPT is normally the successful completion of the secondary schooling certificate to a standard required for admission to tertiary studies in the State in which Year 12 studies were completed.
Normally applicants must be at least 18 years of age when commencing theological studies. However, exceptions may be made on application to the head of school.
Applicants should be aware that ordination in the LCA is for male candidates.
Formation requirements
In addition to completing requirements for the Bachelor of Theology and Bachelor of Ministry degrees, pastoral ministry students undertake a number of vocational units each year which pertain specifically to the development of insights, understandings and skills related to pastoral ministry. Students are also involved in field education under the guidance of an experienced pastor of the LCA and in this way are able to participate in a wide variety of practical activities in preparation for their chosen vocation.
In the second and fourth years of their pastoral studies, students are required to attend faith/life interviews with members of the teaching staff, head of school and selected peers. These interviews provide opportunities for students to reflect on their learning experiences and also serve to monitor the vocational and theological formation of intending pastoral ministry candidates. In first and third year, students meet with their field education support group in order to evaluate their vocational involvement and development.
Pastoral ministry students undertake a full time vicarage program in one of the parishes of the LCA.
Application procedures
Since the application process involves several steps, it is preferable that application for admission be made as early as possible in the year prior to the year of intended entry, and no later than 30 November. Beyond that date applications will be received at the discretion of the head of school.
Applications are to be returned to:
SPT Administrator
Australian Lutheran College
104 Jeffcott Street
North Adelaide South Australia 5006
or sent electronically to: spt@alc.edu.au
Once your application has been received and processed we will advise you of the outcome. If your application is successful you are invited to join the program for preparation for ordination which includes periodic review. Those who are denied admission may appeal to the Board of Directors of Australian Lutheran College.
General information
Ordination
Ordination to the pastoral ministry of the LCA is dependent upon the offer of a call to service from the church. The church cannot guarantee that all students completing the vocational program for pastoral ministry will thereby automatically receive a call to service and be ordained for ministry, although every effort is made to open up opportunities for service for all pastoral ministry graduates.
Aboriginal Ministry Stream
ALC is also developing an Aboriginal Ministry Stream in co-operation with the LCA and especially with the Finke River Mission in Central Australia.
Contact information
The Head of the School of Pastoral Theology welcomes opportunities to discuss the vocational program with intending applicants. Further information may be obtained by writing to:
Dr Andrew Pfeiffer
Head of School of Pastoral Theology
Australian Lutheran College
104 Jeffcott Street
North Adelaide SA 5006
Australia
Email spt@alc.edu.au
Telephone (08) 8267 7400 and ask for the SPT Administrator
Updated: 25/10/2007 [1.01]
ALC | RTO/state code: 90032 | National code: 2287 | CRICOS No: 00707J | ACN: 108 602 151
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