Professional Development

All people recognised as ministry agents, such as Ministers of the Word, Deacons and Pastors, are required to engage in regular continuing education. Ordained Ministers take up to ten days a year, and Pastors 50 hours a year for continuing education.

Continuing Education for Ministry Agents

Professional supervision is mandatory for all ministry agents.

Phase Three

The first three years after ordination is called Phase Three and provides a range of support as the new minister consolidates their ministerial identity and develops new skills. This includes Professional supervision, a Presbytery-appointed mentor, and other meetings and retreats in their ongoing development.

Mentors are Uniting Church ministers with a minimum of three to five years of experience working in the type of context which parallels that of the new minister.

Phase Four

Formation in ministry is a lifelong journey. All ministers and ministry agents are encouraged to continue their discipleship with continuing education. To this end, we advertise various events via our e-magazine SEEDS . Every ministry agent is required to complete training in Safe Church and Ethical Ministry, and undertake regular pastoral supervision.

Post-Graduate Theological Education Endowment Fund

The Post-Graduate Theological Education Endowment Fund is available for Ordained Ministers who have been, or currently are, in active ministry in the Uniting Church Presbytery or Synod of Western Australia. This Fund is made available due to generous bequests left to the Church for this purpose.

Applications will be assessed according to the following criteria:

• Application form is complete and relevant documents attached.
• Applicant is an ordained minister who has recently or is currently in active ministry within the Presbytery or Synod of Western Australia.
• Applicant’s ability to continue offering active ministry to the Church in the future.
• Proposed study is at a post-graduate level through a reputable higher education provider.
• Other financial support received from other sources.
• Extent to which the study will add value to the applicant’s ministry.
• Extent to which the study will benefit the church and its mission and ministry.
• Applicant expresses clear goals and relevance of the study to their ministry context.

You can download the application form here:

For questions please contact Rev Dr Cathie Lambert – cathie.lambert@wa.uca.org.au

Supervision

Supervision is a safe, confidential relationship which provides regular opportunities to reflect on one’s ministry and relationships. It seeks to enhance the quality of ministry by supporting, challenging, encouraging learning and self-knowledge, good use of resources and respect for boundaries. Supervision includes theological reflection as part of the ministry reflection process. It seeks to continue our formation process for hearing and responding to God’s call in ministry in a covenantal relationship with the supervisor.

Ethical Ministry Workshops

Ministers are required to live and work within the discipline of the Uniting Church for continuing status as a minister in good standing. These workshops and reflections are offered up to twice a year by the Uniting Centre for Education and Formation team. Contact – pa.education@wa.uca.org.au.