Avondale’s theology program balances biblical and pastoral studies with practical field ministry under the guidance of senior pastors. Each student is assigned to a local church for a minimum of fifty hours per semester, developing a variety of skills in pastoral and evangelistic ministry. In addition, students undertake a continuous ministry practicum of at least ten days of in-depth ministry experience. Students are required to reflect theologically on their ministry, engage in peer review, and participate in review and assessment by their supervising pastor.
In 2008 a visiting audit team from the International Board of Ministerial and Theological Education of the General Conference declared Avondale’s practical ministry training best practice in the denomination. Avondale’s Ministry Practicum Handbook was peer reviewed by leaders in the field at the 2009 international conference of the Australian and New Zealand Association of Theological Field Educators in Atlanta, Georgia. Those who examined Avondale’s manual said it sets a benchmark for the integration of theory and practice in ministerial training. In recognition of Avondale’s strength in practical ministry training, Dr Doug Robertson and Dr Murray House, co-directors of Avondale’s ministry practicum program, were invited to organise the 2009 Sydney conference of the Australian and New Zealand Association.
Impressive results
The practical components of Avondale’s ministerial courses give students opportunity to develop ministry projects aligned with their own giftedness, often with impressive results.
Justin Bone, a 2009 ministerial graduate, coordinated a youth evangelism program resulting in sixteen decisions for baptism. “Avondale’s theology course,” he said, “has given me a more intelligent and compassionate understanding of scripture, and has strongly affirmed my Adventist faith.” Justin is now a ministerial intern in the Victorian Conference.
Michael Chapman, a 2009 ministerial graduate, conducted youth ministry in the Toronto (NSW) church, leading two people to baptism. Before coming to Avondale he served for eighteen months as a youth volunteer in his local church, coordinating an evangelistic series, giving Bible studies and preparing a person for baptism. He also ministered to the indigenous community in his local region. Michael now serves as a ministerial intern at Kempsey, NSW.
Stephen Ward, a final-year theology student, has undertaken practical ministry experience at the Wahroonga and Lakeside churches (NSW). At Lakeside he led one of the church’s two senior Sabbath School programs, building its regular attendance from nine to forty people. Stephen has been studying the Bible with a couple from the community who now attend the church regularly. To anyone who feels a call to ministry, Stephen’s advice is “Don’t hold back. There is no limit to what God will do if he has called you.”
Love for ministry
Love for ministry motivates some students far beyond the minimum requirements of the course. While studying at Avondale, Josh Woods serves as a volunteer youth pastor at the Epping (NSW) church, where he has assisted in preparing seven young people for baptism.
Talai Mohr conducted by telephone from Cooranbong a series of thirty-four Bible studies with a couple he contacted in his home town of Griffith, NSW. The two were baptised in July 2009. Talai also gave thirty-five telephone studies to a family of five in Griffith, who are preparing for baptism. While at Avondale, Talai telephones religious radio programs that are broadcast every Sunday evening and some Thursday evenings on Griffith local radio. “I love sharing Bible studies and devotions via telephone ministry,” Talai said. “It is effective in leading people to the Lord.”
In 2009 William Moala conducted a 3-week evangelistic series in the main Adventist Church in Nuku’alofa, the capital of Tonga, resulting in sixteen baptisms. The baptismal service was broadcast on Tongan national television.
Baptism in the Philippines. The baptism included 16 people from Adam Cinzio’s evangelistic meetings. Credit: Adam Cinzio.
In 2009 Adam Cinzio conducted a 15-night evangelistic program in the Philippines, resulting in sixteen baptisms. The program was part of a major youth evangelistic thrust in twenty locations on the island of Palawan, resulting altogether in 650 baptisms. The programs were jointly sponsored by Europe 4 Jesus and the Mission College of Evangelism (USA). Adam now serves as a ministerial intern at Woy Woy, NSW.
In 2009 Billy Otto and Joel Slade ran a series of evangelistic meetings in another location in the Philippines, resulting in eight baptisms and a revival among the Adventist young people of the area. This was part of an evangelistic series sponsored by Europe 4 Jesus in eight locations, resulting altogether in 107 baptisms.
In 2008 Billy Otto conducted two evangelistic series of seven nights each in Kenya, resulting in twenty decisions for baptism. He also conducts motivational and inspirational meetings in schools, sharing his story as a Christian witness. He uses music extensively as a means of witness, and also witnesses via a website, “Eternal Heart.”
Billy Otto and two other ministerial students, Daniel Kewley and Joel Slade, serve as volunteers in the “My House” church plant in Newcastle, NSW.
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