Church, Ministry and Sacraments (CT9742Z)

Postgraduate, 18.0 points

Content

This unit considers the theology of the Christian Church, Christian ministries (lay and ordained), and key Christian sacraments from their origins in the New Testament and early church, across history to the present day, ecumenically and specifically in the understanding of the Uniting Church in Australia.

Unit code: CT9742Z

Unit status: Approved (Major revision)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Elective

Unit discipline: Systematic Theology

Proposing College: Uniting College for Leadership and Theology

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Learning outcomes

1.

Critically analyse key understandings in ecclesiology, ministry and sacraments from the early church to the present day
2.

Critically review historical influences on contemporary doctrinal positions
3.

Evaluate contemporary application of theology regarding church, ministry and/or sacraments

Unit sequence

A Level 9 unit in postgraduate theology and ministry awards.

Prerequisite Units: CT8742Z Essentials of Christian Faith or CT9746Z Jesus Christ: Identity, Salvation and Context or equivalent

Pedagogy

Lectures, readings, online exercises, case studies, discussions, creative interaction and/or field trips

Indicative Bibliography

  • Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry, Geneva: World Council of Churches, 1982.
  • Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. Life Together. Trans. Daniel Bloesch & James Burtness. Minneapolis, WI: Fortress Press, 2005.
  • Burns, Stephen. Worship and Ministry – Shaped towards God. Preston, Vic: Mosaic Press, 2012.
  • Cahalan, Kathleen A. Introducing the Practice of Ministry. Collegeville, Liturgical Press, 2010.
  • Douglas, Sally. The Church [Triumphant] As Salt: Becoming the Community Jesus Speaks About. Bayswater, Vic: Coventry Press, 2021.
  • Johnson, Elizabeth. Ecclesiology in the New Testament. Nashville, Tennessee: Abington Press, 2020.
  • Jones, L. Gregory & Armstrong, Kevin R. Resurrecting Excellence: Shaping Faithful Christian Ministry. Grand Rapids, Eerdmans, 2006.
  • Renton, Robert W. ed. A Pilgrim People: Forty Years On. The Proceedings of the Inaugural Uniting Church National History Society Conference, June 9–12 2017. Uniting Church National History Society, 2018.
  • Ross, Susan A. Extravagant Affections: A Feminist Sacramental Theology. New York, NY: Continuum Publishing, 1998.
  • Smith, James K.A. Imagining the Kingdom: How Worship Works. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2013.
  • Thompson, Geoff. Disturbing Much Disturbing Many: Theology Provoked by the ‘Basis of Union.’ Northcote, Vic: Uniting Academic Press, 2016.
  • Thompson, Geoff. A Genuinely Theological Church: Ministry, Theology and the Uniting Church. Uniting Academic Press, 2018.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Portfolio 6000 100.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 15 Apr, 2026

Unit record last updated: 2026-04-15 09:36:54 +1000