ACOM / Study / Units / P8105C Issues and Ethics in Professional Practice

P8105C Issues and Ethics in Professional Practice

This unit will examine the critical ethical, legal and professional issues faced by ministry professionals in a wide variety of contexts.
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Unit Overview

Qualification

Graduate

Unit Availability

Trimester 2 2025

Study Mode

No Facilitation, Online Facilitation

Placement

30 hours of vocational placement

Tuition

Graduate BTM Fee

Prerequisite

Cannot complete with C9229C

Corequisite

N/A

Notes

N/A

Schedule
Availability Facilitation Type Time Dates Facilitator
Trimester 2 2025 Online Facilitation 9am – 4pm
(AEST)		 Wednesday 11 June
Wednesday 18 June
Wednesday 2 July		 Marissa Priaulx

Unit Details

This unit will examine the critical ethical, legal and professional issues faced by ministry professionals in a wide variety of contexts. It explores how the study and application of ethics grounds effective and safe ministry practice by inviting us to become the kind of person who naturally and consistently does the right thing. As we develop a coherent approach to ethical reasoning, it provides us with a toolkit to use in effective pastoral ministry.

 

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

  1. Articulate a critical understanding of the principles involved in ethical ministry practice.
  2. Contend with ethical dilemmas present in a variety of ministry and community settings, including the local church, diocese, mission field, aged care centres, schools, defence force, police force, counselling practice, welfare ministry, and/or emergency services.
  3. Analyse how an ethical and legal understanding (particularly as it relates to privacy, confidentiality, reporting, boundaries, and advocacy) enhances effective professional and pastoral practice.
  4. Construct a personal approach to professional boundaries that: (1) meets community expectations; (2) complies with all national and state legislation; and (3) reflects ministry best practice.
  5. Competently appropriate the 10 Child Safe Standards in response to a given context, whether real or imagined.

 

  1. Ministry as an Ethical Vocation
  2. Foundations of Ethical Reasoning
  3. The Virtue of Character
  4. Tools for Ethical Decision-Making
  5. Boundaries and the Use of Power
  6. Sexual Misconduct: An Example of Abuse of Power
  7. Community Concerns
  8. Relationships and Self-Care
  9. Ethical Discernment in Governance
  10. Codes of Ethics
  1. Minor Essay 1 (20%)
    Word Limit: 1200
    Due: Week 3
  2. Minor Essay 2 (15%)
    Word Limit: 900
    Due: Week 5
  3. Minor Essay 3 (15%)
    Word Limit: 900
    Due: Week 7
  4. Minor Essay 4 (25%)
    Word Limit: 1500
    Due: Week 9
  5. Minor Essay 5 (25%)
    Word Limit: 1500
    Due: Week 12
  • Gula, Richard M. Just Ministry: Professional Ethics for Pastoral Ministers. New Jersey: Paulist Press, 2010.
  • Trull, Joe, E., and R. Robert Creech. Ethics for Christian Ministry: Moral Formation for 21st Century Leaders. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2017.

Unit Details

Key Dates

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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.
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