ACOM / Study / Units / P7292C Understanding Vocation and Purpose

P7292C Understanding Vocation and Purpose

This unit will enable students to articulate a theology of vocation as they engage with a range of biblical, theological and contextual resources.
Unit Overview

Qualification

Bachelor

Unit Availability

Trimester 2

Study Mode

Online Facilitation

Placement

30 hours of vocational placement

Prerequisite

N/A

Corequisite

N/A

Notes

N/A

Schedule
Availability Facilitation Type Time Dates Facilitator
Trimester 2 2025 Online Facilitation 6pm – 8pm
(AEST)
Tuesday 27 May
Tuesday 3 June
Tuesday 10 June
Tuesday 17 June
Tuesday 24 June
Tuesday 1 July
Tuesday 8 July
Tuesday 15 July
Tuesday 22 July
Tuesday 29 July
Dr Penny Martin

Unit Details

This unit will enable students to articulate a theology of vocation as they engage with a range of biblical, theological and contextual resources. This unit will also encourage students to develop the skills of reflective practice (theologically reflecting on experiences) as a way to listen deeply to their life, reflect on gifts and talents, exercise spiritual discipline and discernment, experiment with various ideas and opportunities to begin to shape a clearer sense of purposeful calling. Students will reflect upon experience in contexts to facilitate experimentation and discernment regarding future purposeful vocation.

At the end of this unit students will be able to:

  1. Identify the major elements of challenge involved in Understanding Vocation and Purpose.
  2. Account for the intellectual and/or cultural factors that have given rise to the issue of Understanding Vocation and Purpose.
  3. Incorporate a range of relevant primary and secondary scholarship into a study of Understanding Vocation and Purpose.
  4. Analyse the likely impact of Understanding Vocation and Purpose in its immediate context.
  5. Produce a recommendation for a theologically appropriate response to the challenges presented within Understanding Vocation and Purpose.

 

  1. Reflective practice
  2. Teamwork and implications
  3. Identity and character
  4. Integration
  5. Discipline
  6. Discernment
  7. Challenges and nuances in vocation and purpose
  1. Reader Response (20%)
    Word Limit: 1000
    Due: Week 6
  2. Journal Summary (30%)
    Word Limit: 1500
    Due: Week 9
  3. Integrative Essay (50%)
    Word Limit: 2500
    Due: Week 12

Not required.

Student Stories

A lot of theology training focuses on helping you know what to do, formation helped me go deeper and learn about who I wanted to become. As someone who learns a lot by doing, the highly practical nature of the ACOM model helped me put theory into practice immediately. The online learning helped me do that in the context I’d grown up in.
Ben Dainton – Graduate Diploma of Arts

Student Stories

My studies at ACOM equipped me to be job-ready by providing the ability to complete my student ministry placement in local churches, allowing me to apply what I was learning directly to real-world situations. The practical elements of the coursework gave me the hands-on experience and confidence needed to step into ministry roles, fully prepared to make a meaningful impact.
Lachie Ashworth – Bachelor of Ministry

Student Stories

Admittedly, at first I was nervous about the prospect of Spiritual Formation and what might be involved. But after my first Spiritual Formation retreat, Spiritual Formation very quickly became one of my favourite subjects, and created some of my fondest memories throughout my years studying with ACOM. The relationships I built and the journey I went on with my formation companions, has left a profound impact on my faith, the shaping of who I am, how I lead and my continued involvement in ministry today. I couldn’t recommend Spiritual Formation highly enough as a valuable part of your studies.
Lachie Ashworth – Bachelor of Ministry

Student Stories

As a relatively young person in an employed ministry position, I have greatly benefited from my degree of Bachelor of Ministry and have observed my growth through undergoing studies. While studying and working full time in ministry, I have found that each unit, in some way or another, is relevant to my job whether that be learning to preach or growing my Biblical literacy skills. Through working full-time in ministry, I have found that the online content and structures of my studies allows me to be flexible in structuring my learning around my busy ministry schedule. Each week I am able to accommodate my studies to fit my needs based on my schedule demands.
Libby Hall – Bachelor of Ministry

Student Stories

ACOM's online study options have allowed me to study a theological degree without having to leave my current church setting. The experience of journeying with my formation group has been a huge part of my growth this year.
Simon Cauchi – Bachelor of Theology

Student Stories

Studying with ACOM provided me with a unique and incredible academic experience! ACOM worked with me to deliver a course that benefited and enriched my role in ministry, and that was of great benefit as it meant that I was actively able to apply the material that I had been studying. What stood out for me though while studying with ACOM was how seamlessly spiritual formation was integrated with academic learning. Instead of studying material and writing assessments that had little to do with the complexities of life in ministry, many of the units that I studied were tailored in such a way that I was engaging with God, my heart, and others which led to a deep transformation in my own character and relationship with God. I would highly recommend ACOM to anyone who desires more in their life with God!
Alec Van Bockel – Bachelor of Ministry

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