Avondale’s practical ministry education interests world church

The international Ministry journal of the Seventh-day Adventist Church commissioned an article for its July 2010 issue showcasing to the world church Avondale’s program of practical ministry education. The article was written by senior lecturers Dr Doug Robertson and Dr Murray House, co-directors of Avondale’s practical ministry program.

Avondale’s theology students apply what they have learned in the classroom by engaging in actual ministry experience. Students are assigned to local churches where, under the supervision of seasoned pastors, they develop skills in various ministry roles. They are then helped to reflect on their ministry activities and apply the resulting insights in ongoing ministry activities.

In their first year students are assigned to the Avondale College Church, and thereafter to churches in the Newcastle, Central Coast and Sydney regions. The third year of the course incorporates an externship of at least two weeks, where the student engages in continuous intensive ministry with an experienced pastor.

‘I’ve been able to see what pastors do and how they work,’ said 2010 graduate Kelly Fry. ‘A church placement is really getting a feel for what full-time ministry is all about. Being with a church has kept my sense of calling relevant.’

The education in practical ministry covers six key focus areas: (1) personal development for ministry; (2) relationships with people in family, church and community; (3) proclamation of the gospel through teaching and preaching; (4) pastoral care; (5) evangelism and discipleship; and (6) leadership.

During 2010 Avondale’s student ministers gave 880 Bible studies, took 86 evangelistic meetings, preached 549 sermons, and were involved in preparing 114 people for baptism.

The School of Theology has developed an evangelistic partnership with the Avondale Memorial Church in a population growth area on the Central Coast. Pastor Loren Pratt contributed to this initiative, training students in door-to-door Signs ministry in the area. The Lake Macquarie campus chaplain, Dr Wayne French, also guides theology students in mentoring teenagers at the Avondale High School. ‘It gives the students experience in building relationships with teenagers, which is a vital part of their future ministry,’ says Dr French. Students are also involved in ministry for fellow students, James London and Daniel Roberts, for example, initiating an early-morning prayer meeting on the Lake Macquarie campus.

Third-year theology student Brock Goodall has been learning church planting with Pastor Wayne Krause at the Central Coast Community Church. Brock runs a program for previously unchurched teenagers in the Wyong community. In 2010 the South Australian Conference invited him to be the main speaker at a junior summer camp. He would love to get into church planting.

Commitment to ministry motivates some students far beyond the requirements of their course. In the past two and a half years William Moala has conducted three evangelistic campaigns — two in Tonga and one in Auckland, with a total of thirty-three baptisms.

In January 2011 Bekezela Sibanda ran a two-week evangelistic program in the south of India, resulting in fifteen baptisms. In 2010 he ran an evangelistic program in his home country of Zimbabwe with 78 baptisms. 2009 graduate Fred Chileshe commenced ministry while waiting for an internship, conducting a prophecy seminar at the Ryde Church, Sydney that produced four baptisms. He has subsequently received a one-year ministerial contract at Erina Church on the central coast of New South Wales.

2010 ministerial graduate James Moncrieff was assigned for his externship to the Gateway church, Melbourne, and was excited by Gateway’s vibrant ministry for university students. Gateway meets in a lecture theatre at the University of Melbourne, has established a church plant at Swinburne University, and has a presence at Victoria and Monash Universities. Gateway also runs a training centre in central Melbourne with many people engaged in Bible studies. A high proportion of the church members are actively engaged in outreach.