Potential Pastors at Malyon

A range of accredited, relevant and well-designed degree and masters qualifications for men and women preparing for various vocational ministries in churches.

The Malyon courses are particularly designed for the development of pastors. There are a number of components of all the pastoral training awards that support effective ministerial development. These include:

• The excellent biblical and theological teaching by experienced and qualified pastors.
• An effective balance of biblical and practical units.
• The placement of all pastoral students with a pastoral mentor.
• The strong emphasis on the field education program.
• Leadership development training by excellent Christian leaders.
• The fact that Malyon is effectively developing Christian leaders throughout Queensland through its Centre for Christian Leadership.
• Most full-time students at Malyon are looking towards pastoral ministry so there is plenty of support.
• All the lecturers have been pastors and the principal himself pastored large, growing churches for 23 years.

The two main pastoral training awards are:

1.      Bachelor of Ministry - a 24 unit, three year (if studied full-time) degree that builds biblical foundations, theological expertise, historical and cultural awareness, and practical ministry skills. Most pastoral students are studying for a BMin.

2.      Master of Divinity - a 24 unit, three year (if studied full-time) masters degree for tertiary graduates, that mostly parallels the BMin. MDiv students will sit in many classes with BMin students. The main differences are a higher level of assessment and a slightly more academic selection of units (including two years of Greek language and Greek exegesis).

Malyon trains pastors from a number of denominations as well as chaplains for the armed forces.

Further helpful information:

• About Malyon College - a useful summary of Malyon and what it offers.
• Course Summary - a summary of all the awards we offer.
• Malyon Units - a summary of the units we are offering over the next 10 years.

Training to become a Baptist minister

Almost all Queensland Baptist ministers train at Malyon.

However, a Malyon qualification doesn’t guarantee placement as a Baptist pastor. A student still has to be registered as a pastor (see below) and receive a call to a church.

A. Levels of Accreditation as a Pastor

Queensland Baptists have two levels of ministerial accreditation.

1. Registration - being recognised as a Baptist pastor in a specific church
   This requires a lengthy process that includes at least 12 months theological study (see below), 12 months supervision in a Baptist church, a psychological report, statements concerning your theological position, references and reports (including one from Malyon), a number of interviews, and the production of a personal development plan.
   Both male and female pastors can be registered.

   Registration only becomes valid when a pastor is called to a Baptist church and only is applicable to the pastor’s ministry in that church. It ceases when the pastor leaves.
   Many Malyon pastoral students apply for registration in their third year of study, but some apply earlier.

2. Ordination - being recognised as a well-equipped and proven pastor by Qld Baptists
   This follows registration and requires further interviews, the completion of four years of theological study (usually a BMin or MDiv and a year of postgraduate study), and at least three years of successful pastoral ministry in a church. 
   Normally the postgraduate study is completed part-time while pastoring in a church.
   Only male pastors can be ordained.

    

B. Study Requirements for Registration

Applicants for Queensland Baptist registration need to have completed a course of theological study.  The length of the course depends on where the applicant has studied.

1. For those who have studied at a Queensland Baptist College - the equivalent of 12 months full-time study.
2. For those who have studied at another Baptist College - the equivalent of 12 months full-time study including at least 6 months at a Queensland Baptist College.
3. For those who have studied at another College or studied theology at a University - 18 months of study including at least 6 months at a Queensland Baptist College.

The applicant’s course of theological study would normally include some Bible units, a unit (or seminar) in Baptist Principles and some field education units.
Normally the study requirements would be completed before being accepted as a Registered Minister. If an exemption is granted, the required study must be completed within two years of Registration and be included in the Registered Pastor’s Personal Ministry Development Plan.
Any exception to these study requirements can only be granted by the Ministerial Committee or its representative.

C. Why do we regard theological study as important?

1. As Queensland Baptists we have a strong commitment to the Bible as the ultimate authority in all we do. We believe that every registered pastor needs to have a strong grasp of Scripture that is built through solid, informed study.
2. All pastoral team members are called to be “ministers of the Word.” This does not necessarily mean preaching responsibility, but it does require an understanding and use of Scripture within our ministries.
3. Pastoral ministry involves a range of skills. While some of these skills can be developed through work-force experience and secular study, there is a theological dimension to all we do that needs to be grasped and developed if our leadership is to be more than what the world offers.
4. All professions require study and preparation. While theological study is only one dimension of the preparation for vocational ministry, Queensland Baptists believe that it remains an important component.
5. We need pastors who can help others reflect theologically on situations and experiences. This requires an understanding of God and his word.

D. Why do we require you to study at a Queensland Baptist College?

1. While we as Queensland Baptists recognise that there is good theological training outside Baptist colleges, we believe that our training is excellent in its combination of robust theological development and effective ministry development.
2. We are strongly committed to theological education and invest significant resources in colleges to train our pastors in the areas our churches believe are important. Queensland Baptist churches want to know, encourage and help grow their future vocational ministers. Studying at a Baptist college provides opportunity for this to happen. While our colleges train a wide range of people, our ministry courses are tailor-made to prepare you for ministry in Queensland Baptist churches.
3. Studying at a Baptist college not only introduces (at times) a Baptist perspective into your study, but it helps you understand and relate to Queensland Baptist culture. It will help you process your call to pastor a Baptist church and will provide access to Baptist networks and resources.
4. We want to get to know you. We want to see you in a range of situations. A Queensland Baptist College reference plays an important part in the registration process.
5. By studying at a Queensland Baptist college you grow relationships and networks with students and lecturers who will be your colleagues and may well be your lifelong friends in ministry.

E. Further helpful information:

• Queensland Baptist Website
• Further Information about Registration and Ordination