ACOM
The essential nature of Christ's Church and therefore of individual churches from a Biblical perspective is that it is missional - it is "sent"; it exists to reach those who do not know Christ, in whom there is eternal life. The Church was instituted through the mission of Jesus and commissioned by Him to "make disciples". Jesus called his disciples to be "fishers of men". The Church is thus intentionally and essentially a community of people who have a mission beyond themselves, beginning at home - and reaching to the ends of the earth.
That the churches in Western society, including Australia, have become inward-looking is widely acknowledged. We have been preoccupied with "doing church" (often as consumers), while our calling is to be the church and incarnate the gospel wherever we are. The transformation of local churches to being "other centred" is crucial and urgent, requiring an intentional focus and effort.
The paradigm change to missional church requires visionary, courageous, loving leaders to facilitate the transformation of local churches to engage with their geographical communities. These missional leaders are passionately committed to pouring their lives into Christians who are enthusiastic to share the good news with those who are not yet "in Christ". The new breed of leaders includes those called to ministry as a vocation and those who are in lay leadership (often in the role of elders).
Churches of Christ in New South Wales is strongly committed to the calling and equipping of missional leaders. The Australian College of Ministries is a Distance Education college, helping to re-paradigm and re-equip churches through the power of God's Spirit, by enabling you to remain at home and in your own church while you study, instead of travelling to a campus.
ACOM has reoriented its training curriculum to the development of missional leaders and shaped itself to train both vocational and lay leaders. Their creative curriculum is not a traditional one; subjects [in Bible, Theology, Missiology, Ministry and Leadership Practice, and Spiritual Formation] are offered on the basis of the outcomes desired in missional leaders. ACOM offers a unique blend of academic integrity, practical ministry and personal formation as part of their awards. You can also study specialist ministry areas like Youth, Church-planting etc. Their accredited training includes Vocational Education Certificates and Diplomas, as well as Bachelor and Masters Degrees (authorised by Sydney college of Divinity), and a Doctor of Ministry program through Fuller Seminary in California. ACOM also partners with Churches of Christ NSW in providing ongoing professional development for ministers and leaders who want to stay in touch with our constantly changing context.
Churches of Christ in New South Wales, through the recalibration of its present churches and through a vital and innovative church planting priority, are seeking to be a frontier missional movement for God in our local communities. We highly regard and recommend ACOM as an excellent, contemporary ministry and leadership training college.
That the churches in Western society, including Australia, have become inward-looking is widely acknowledged. We have been preoccupied with "doing church" (often as consumers), while our calling is to be the church and incarnate the gospel wherever we are. The transformation of local churches to being "other centred" is crucial and urgent, requiring an intentional focus and effort.
The paradigm change to missional church requires visionary, courageous, loving leaders to facilitate the transformation of local churches to engage with their geographical communities. These missional leaders are passionately committed to pouring their lives into Christians who are enthusiastic to share the good news with those who are not yet "in Christ". The new breed of leaders includes those called to ministry as a vocation and those who are in lay leadership (often in the role of elders).
Churches of Christ in New South Wales is strongly committed to the calling and equipping of missional leaders. The Australian College of Ministries is a Distance Education college, helping to re-paradigm and re-equip churches through the power of God's Spirit, by enabling you to remain at home and in your own church while you study, instead of travelling to a campus.
ACOM has reoriented its training curriculum to the development of missional leaders and shaped itself to train both vocational and lay leaders. Their creative curriculum is not a traditional one; subjects [in Bible, Theology, Missiology, Ministry and Leadership Practice, and Spiritual Formation] are offered on the basis of the outcomes desired in missional leaders. ACOM offers a unique blend of academic integrity, practical ministry and personal formation as part of their awards. You can also study specialist ministry areas like Youth, Church-planting etc. Their accredited training includes Vocational Education Certificates and Diplomas, as well as Bachelor and Masters Degrees (authorised by Sydney college of Divinity), and a Doctor of Ministry program through Fuller Seminary in California. ACOM also partners with Churches of Christ NSW in providing ongoing professional development for ministers and leaders who want to stay in touch with our constantly changing context.
Churches of Christ in New South Wales, through the recalibration of its present churches and through a vital and innovative church planting priority, are seeking to be a frontier missional movement for God in our local communities. We highly regard and recommend ACOM as an excellent, contemporary ministry and leadership training college.
ACOM is a revolution in ministry training. We have been training Christian leaders for Churches of Christ since 1942. But the needs of the emerging global culture, and the radical changes occurring in the church required a transformation. So in 1999, we joined forces with Kenmore College in Queensland, and redefined and renamed ourselves for the new century. Our aim now is to produce influencers and shapers - we call them missional leaders. Using fully accredited, bible-based, mission-centred, culturally relevant training, acom is gearing up to equip the next generation of leaders who will revive mission and turn churches back into launching pads.
ACOM is a Distance Education college, so you stay in charge of your training - where, when and what. There is no need to travel to a campus - stay connected with your local church. Include your mission and ministry experience in your course. Train at your pace in your place. Be challenged and supported in your character development. Become a pracademic, not an academic.
ACOM provides three ways to grow, at different levels of study:
ACOM provides three ways to grow, at different levels of study:
LocalNet is the name of our Vocational Education program. It provides training to Certificate IV level in your local church, by your local church, with all the advantages of accreditation - including national recognition and credit towards higher education studies. Students can even get Austudy and Fee-Help while you train and serve in your local church.
Our Undergraduate Studies program equips missional leaders of both genders in the church, community and workplace. For a Diploma and/or Degree, students learn in the your own context, while connected regularly with a group of fellow students led by a Formation Director. The contemporary curriculum develops your application of the Bible, your practical skills and your personal character formation.
Our Postgraduate Studies program offers on-the-job professional development for people wanting to update or upgrade their leadership capacity, missional orientation or ability to relate to postmodern culture. Study for a Graduate Certificate or Diploma, a Master of Arts in Church Leadership, or a Doctor of Ministry in association with Fuller Seminary, California.
Visit the ACOM website for more information: www.acom.edu.au
