Theology Short Courses for 2021
We offer Short Courses, Block Courses and Night Classes across a range of topics. Take the opportunity to learn, grow, and gain further skills to serve your community. You can do any of these courses for credit towards a qualification or for interest only. Take the time to nurture your faith.
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Semester Two
INTRODUCTION TO SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY
201.515
Dr Myk Habets, Dr Greg Liston, Taryn Dryfhout
Thursday mornings, 9:30am-12:30pm
Henderson, Manukau, Christchurch & via Distance Learning
Be introduced to systematic theology and learn to think theologically. Examine God’s self-revelation, discover how we can understand that revelation, and why it is foundational for our faith. Explore the arrangement of this revelation into a set of core beliefs and their application to everyday living.
THEOLOGY: CHURCH AND THE MISSION OF GOD
205.615/715
Dr Greg Liston, Taryn Dryfhout
Tuesday afternoons, 1:30pm-4:30pm
Henderson, Manukau, Christchurch & via Distance Learning
Learn to think theologically about the church. Explore how our theological thinking affects our pragmatic decisions about what the church does. Discover together how to make wise ecclesial decisions based on solid theology.
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Semester Two
YOUTH MINISTRY: DISCIPLESHIP
540.615
Phil Trotter
16-20 Aug 2021, 9:30 am - 4:30 pm
Henderson Only
Are you seeking to become a better instrument of God in not just bringing good news but being good news among young people? Be equipped to connect with and nurture wellbeing among today’s youth. Take a research backed deep dive into discipleship practices that make disciples who last. So much of the discipleship that happens in churches doesn’t go the distance - with a high percentage of young Christians drifting or falling away during their 20’s. Learn what leads to sticky faith – faith that is here to stay! Building on the foundation of relationships, discover the whys and ways of teaching, worship and prayer, community, mentoring and involving young people in ministry and mission, that forms disciples of Christ for life. (Invite your whole church leadership team to this one - discipleship is a whole-of-church enterprise!) Bring your experiences, and bring your questions to this creative, interactive and inspiring learning environment.
TIKANGA-A-TANGATA
652.615/715
Lorraine Taogaga
17-21 Aug 2021, 9:30 am - 4:30 pm
Henderson only
This course studies how cultural patterns shape all areas of our lives and experience. It explores how traditional Māori cultural systems of meaning and belief engage with Christian systems of meaning and belief and how each informs and challenges the other toward transformation in Aotearoa.
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Semester Two
INTRODUCTION TO PREACHING
561.615
Reuben Munn
Tuesday Evenings, 6:30-9:30pm
Henderson & via Distance Learning
Preaching is a central ministry in the life of a healthy church. We worship a speaking God who uses words to create, heal, redeem and judge. He now gives us the privilege of speaking his Word in the power of his Spirit so that through our proclamation, God may continue to work powerfully in our day. The same Spirit who anointed Jesus now empowers us to proclaim the good news so that blind eyes may be opened, the oppressed may be set free and the favour of the Lord may be bestowed. Whenever and wherever the gospel is preached, the living God speaks and something always happens. This course aims to raise up more women and men who can boldly, clearly and faithfully expound Scripture, and contribute to a renewal of biblical, home-grown preaching in Aotearoa.
INTERCULTURAL STUDIES: INTRODUCTION
611.515
Rebecca de Jong
Tuesday Evenings, 6:30-9:30pm
Henderson, Manukau, Christchurch & via Distance Learning
New Zealand is increasingly ethnically diverse. In Auckland 51% of the population is multi-lingual. As a church how are we responding to these culturally and linguistically diverse Christians? With the mission field on our doorstep how can we better communicate the gospel? Intercultural Studies examines how culture, context, and theological understanding influences cross-cultural ministry. Students are invited into another culture and given the skills to reflect on the experience. This course considers mission as part of a whole narrative of the Bible, preparing learners to listen and communicate with others who are culturally different, as we serve God cross-culturally both here in Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond.