Leadership Development

Our leadership development programs focus on two areas – lay and continuing education.

Lay leadership

We recognise the need for all of our leaders – ordained and lay – to practise healthy, responsible and ethical leadership.

Courses and programs encourage our lay leaders to grow, develop and explore life-giving ways to lead. These opportunities are Gospel-centred, recognising where individual leaders are in their personal development and building on that experience.

We work collaboratively and consultatively with Presbyteries and Congregations across the Synod, as well as working closely with the Synod’s Lay Preacher Association.

Visit our Lay Leadership Resources page to find out information about resources and courses to support your ministry, as well as finding information on the Otira Bookclub and the Period of Discernment.

For more information, contact our Lay Leadership Development Coordinator, Mel Perkins, on 03 9340 8843 or [email protected]

Continuing education

This is a program for ordained ministers, encouraging excellence in ministry practice through reflection, theological study, growth in knowledge, and nurturing of the spirit.

Courses assist in understanding change in the life of congregations, developing skills for navigating transitions, and helping you implement this knowledge in ministry practice.

These are part of a range of training opportunities, such as Peer Learning Groups. You can download the Continuing Education Planning Form here.

Each semester, Pilgrim Theological College provides units aimed at anyone engaged in ministry who may wish to form a Peer Learning Group to reflect on what they’ve learned.

One of the units for Semester One is Secular and Sacred, which offers an overview of Australian history and its implications for the future in the life of communities of faith. To find out more, click here.

Another Semester One unit that may be of interest is The Living People of God: Local Global and Mission. To find out more, click here.

Peer learning groups

These provide a supportive environment for ministers to learn about sharing knowledge and reflective practice. Ministers come together from their context of ministry (congregations, chaplaincy) to explore a shared learning goal and develop collegiality.

The benefits of peer learning include:

• It is grounded in your ministry practice so it addresses issues relevant to you.
• A collegial community of support and accountability.
• There is flexibility about when and how you meet.
• A group can include participants from interstate and other denominations.

The Peer Learning Groups information booklet describes the form, benefits and practices of Peer Learning Groups and how they can be established. You can download a Peer Learning Group Plan here.

For more information, contact our Continuing Education and Leadership Development Coordinator, Fran Barber, on 03 9340 8839 or [email protected]

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