Holroyd Ministry Development College
Holroyd Ministry Development College
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Further College and Course Details The basic philosophy: The Body of Christ is meant to be a functioning “charismatic community” in which every believer develops into their God-ordained place of anointed ministry. In this way the corporate Body fulfils the Great Commission —becoming a more effective witness of the gospel of Christ to a watching, needy community . The method: It's one thing to study in a classroom / notes / interactive discussion environment; it's another thing to have vision / understanding / wisdom / anointing rub off onto students! Jesus mixed the two. He instructed, dialogued, and then took them out and they ministered together. The structure: class time is in six week units. Each subject is separate; and independent of the others. This is so students can pick them up continuously or non-continuously. Some subjects are repeated at a later date, depending on the level of requests for further instruction. Group meeting time are on Thursday nights, starting promptly at 6.30pm with a briefing / review time over a light meal. Session regularly include periods of teaching, student-led devotion, prayer, an open critique session, chaired by a student (this has proved very popular and helpful!), and prayer together. MDC occasionally runs parallel courses where appropriate, which break after the introduction and mealtime, then come back together at the conclusion of the three hour session. The main session for each topic is solidly Word-based. Then there is a lot of interaction over this material. Student’s work responsibilities include weekly assignments (where appropriate), preparation of presented material, serving in practical areas (clean up, etc), Course marking includes assignments (where applicable), delivery in public sessions, as well as grades for punctuality, servant spirit, and other elements that can make or break the effectiveness of our grace gifting, but are not related to academic ability. An audit level of participation is available in appropriate Units, where students may sit in on the course without the assignments. However, no assessment is made of them at the end of the Unit. The outworking: each student is required to function in an ongoing position of service in their own church. Other opportunities to develop will arise from time to time—missions’ trips, serving in area ministry (like schools SRE), etc. The Cost: There is no set fee structure. We fund it by faith. An offering box is left out to cover the essential costs of the course. Students will be expected, at the least, to cover the cost of their meals. The pieces of paper: If you are primarily concerned about graduating with an appropriate piece of paper, this College is not for you. We encourage students to pursue their academic and systematic biblical education through their own local church and Tertiary colleges such as Tabor. This College’s purpose is to work alongside that. It is primarily about lifting the level of competence in ministry for every ordinary believer. A certificate of recognition will be issued to candidates upon completion of 12 six-week units where an overall pass grade is attained. Excellence in application will be formally honoured. We recently honoured our first student (John Doolan) who has achieved 24 completed Units! And grown greatly in the process (including a ministry trip to Zimbabwe in 2005)..... The real graduation: The aim of Holroyd MDC is to return students to their own local churches better equipped to minister with the servant spirit of Philippians 2, and from there to step out into fields of further function with a sound understanding of what ministry is really all about, and how to minister more effectively the full range of the gospel by the empowering of the Holy Spirit. |
E mail mdc@hnlc.org.au with any questions, applications, or comments. We value feedback, constructive criticism even! Last modified: April 13, 2009 |