ACOM / Study / Units / T7228C The Church

T7228C The Church

This unit is designed to introduce the student to the function, purpose, and mission of the church and to explore from a theological perspective why engaging in the church is not an optional extra for the Christian life but its very lifeblood.
Unit Overview

Qualification

Bachelor

Unit Availability

Trimester 3 2025, Summer 2025

Study Mode

No Facilitation, Online Facilitation

Placement

N/A

Corequisite

N/A

Notes

N/A

Schedule
Availability Facilitation Type Time Dates Facilitator
Trimester 3 2025 Online Facilitation 9am – 2:30pm
(AEST)
Tuesday 9 September
Wednesday 10 September
Tuesday 16 September
Wednesday 17 September
Dr Simon Russell-Brown
Summer 2025 No Facilitation

Unit Details

This unit is designed to introduce the student to the function, purpose, and mission of the church and to explore from a theological perspective why engaging in the church is not an optional extra for the Christian life but its very lifeblood.

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

  1. Identify the Church’s theological self-understanding at different moments in history.
  2. Present a coherent biblical and theological understanding of the nature and mission of the Church.
  3. Analyse recent writing in ecclesiology.
  4. Develop a coherent response to challenges confronting the church in their context.
  5. Apply fundamental principles of ecclesiology to contemporary pastoral situations.
  1. Becoming the People of God
  2. Who’s in? Who’s out?
  3. What is the Church?
  4. The Church and the Kingdom of God
  5. Christ: the Head of the Church
  6. The Sacramental Function of the Church
  7. Sacrament Case Study 1: Communion
  8. Sacrament Case Study 2: Baptism
  9. The Mission of the Church
  10. The Future of the Church
  1. Online Forums (10%)
    Word Limit: 500 total
    Due: Week 3, 5, 7, 8, 12
  2. Critical Response (30%)
    Word Limit: 1500
    Due: Week 6
  3. Facilitation Assessment (15%)
    Word Limit: 750
    Due: Week 10
    OR
    Integrated Learning Portfolio (15%)
    Word Limit: 2350 total
    Due: Week 4 & 10
  4. Major Essay (45%)
    Word Limit: 2250
    Due: Week 12
  • McGrath, Alister, E. Christian Theology: An Introduction. 6th ed. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell, 2016.

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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