Continuing Professional Development.

All people recognised as ministry agents such as Ministers of the Word and Deacons, are required to undertake regular professional supervision and to engage in up to ten days a year of continuing education.

SEEDS, our e-newsletter lists the type of continuing education available within the State. nationally and internationally for ministers. To subscribe to SEEDS, please contact us.

Phase Three

In the first three years after ordination, a particular program called Phase Three engages with these ministers to attend two retreat days a year and meet with a Professional Supervisor and Mentor.

Supervisors are trained in WA in the Pohly Method of Supervision.

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

School of Ministry

Annually, we carry out the School for Ministry, which seeks to address major areas of growth and interest in ministry.

The School of Ministry provides a strong basis for each minister’s Continuing Education program for Ministry Agents and those working in leadership in their congregations as pastors or in a voluntary capacity as pastors and active retired clergy.

Lay preachers, lay presiders, church council members, and committee convenors are especially encouraged to attend.

In 2020, we will be focusing on developing wholeness as ministers and is titled “Ministry in the Secular Age” with Rev Dr Andrew Dutney as the keynote speaker.

Ethical Ministry Workshops

All ministry agents and active retired clergy are required to participate in Ethical Ministry workshops each year and to regularly update training in Safe Church.

Ministers are required to live and work within the discipline of the Uniting Church for continuing status as a minister in good standing.

Minister’s Retreat

Ministers in active service are invited to attend a Minister’s retreat annually convened by the Moderator of the Uniting Church Western Australia.

Professional Development for Lay People

Summer Spirit

Summer Spirit, is an annual education event.

In 2020, the theme was “All of This is Us: Church and Culture”. Rev Dr Apwee Ting and Rev Charissa Suli led the event with each day focussing on the intercultural and intergenerational church.

Sacraments Training

We also acknowledge that without the ministry of our lay leaders, there are many places where the church could no longer flourish.

Particularly in rural and remote contexts some will be set aside and trained to administer sacraments (Holy Communion and Baptism) on behalf of their community.

Recognition in this ministry is for three years and ongoing training is required.

Safe Church Training

All lay leaders need to engage in Safe Church training and Code of Ethics for Lay Leaders.

In this way we can strengthen our church in our awareness and care for one another, and most especially to vulnerable people within our midst: whether as children or as older people or with disabilities.

Mission Shaped Ministry

Mission Shaped Ministry is a course which trains both lay and ordained ministers in ways to revitalise their congregation.

We strongly encourage all congregations and faith communities to undertake this course as a priority within the life of our church.

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