Why work towards an Occupational Certificate: Christian Religious Professional NQF level 5?
Embark on a Transformative Journey in Christian Leadership
In today’s dynamic world, the demand for skilled Pentecostal church and community leaders is more critical than ever. The Occupational Certificate in Christian Religious Professional offered by AFMTC provides a unique opportunity for individuals to cultivate comprehensive competencies in ministry. Here’s why you should consider pursuing this qualification:
Holistic Ministry Preparation: Our program prepares learners to operate as Christian Religious Professionals, guiding faith communities towards spiritual formation, fellowship, and mutual care. You’ll develop skills to nurture a Christian lifestyle and provide visionary leadership, contributing to the well-being and sustainability of your faith community.
Accessible Online Learning: Designed for convenience, the program is offered online under the guidance of experienced facilitators. You can study from anywhere, provided you have internet access and a computer. Our commitment to accessibility ensures that learning is within reach, regardless of your location.
Real-world Experience: With workplace agreements in place, AFMTC facilitates hands-on experience through workplace modules and credit hours. You’ll have the opportunity to apply your knowledge in a practical setting, enhancing your readiness for real-world ministry.
Personalized Learning Path: The structured curriculum, totaling 237 credits at NQF level 5, allows for flexibility. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) offers exemptions based on your existing skills and knowledge, streamlining your path to completion in 24 to 30 months.
Pathway to Further Studies: Upon completion, you’ll be well-prepared to pursue further studies in an undergraduate program if you choose to expand your academic journey. The program is conducted in English, ensuring broad accessibility.
Professional Recognition: This qualification aligns with industry standards and is accredited by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupation (QCTO), South Africa. Graduates must register with a professional body for Christian Religious Practitioners to practice legally, demonstrating compliance with regulatory standards.
Embark on this transformative journey, and be equipped to lead with excellence in the ever-evolving landscape of Christian religious leadership.
Occupational Certificate: Christian Religious Professional Overview
Empowering Leaders for Modern Ministry
The Occupational Certificate in Christian Religious Professional, offered collaboratively by AFMTC and WNL Training Network Academy, addresses the evolving needs of religious leadership in Southern Africa. Here’s a comprehensive overview:
Diverse Religious Landscape: Southern Africa’s religious leaders hail from both formal historic churches and more recent development-based groups. With a significant contrast in numbers, there’s a crucial need for a qualification that caters to the diverse demands and dynamics of the modern religious landscape.
Closing the Training Gap: Traditionally, religious practitioners within the Christian tradition lacked formally recognized qualifications. The Occupational Certificate bridges this gap, offering a transformative step forward for both existing spiritual leaders and newcomers to the profession. Its accessibility ensures inclusivity, reaching individuals without access to traditional tertiary training.
Partnership for Excellence: AFMTC’s collaboration with WNL Training Network Academy provides an affordable, accredited, and online learning platform. These value-driven, skill-based qualifications fill the training vacuum that universities and private higher education institutions may be unable to address, ensuring practical and work-based learning.
Quality Assurance and Accreditation: The program, accredited by QCTO and registered on the National Qualification Framework, is developed under the supervision of the South African government. Learners undergo a thorough evaluation, including a final National Exam, to demonstrate their knowledge and skills.
Professional Recognition and Compliance: Upon completion, graduates must register with a professional body for Christian Religious Practitioners, aligning with new regulations for independent pastors. This ensures that our learners not only possess essential knowledge and skills but also meet the industry’s regulatory standards.
Embark on a journey that goes beyond a qualification – it’s a commitment to excellence in service, shaping leaders who are well-prepared to navigate the complexities of today’s spiritual landscape.
Do I Qualify?
Your journey to AFMTC begins with understanding the specific admission requirements for your chosen qualification. Here’s a guide to determine your eligibility:
General Admission Requirements
To register for this programme, prospective students require one of the following:
- National Senior Certificate, as certified by Umalusi, without a bachelor’s pass.
You can start with an Occupational Certificate: Christian Religious Practitioner NQF Level 2 if you do not have a National Senior Certificate.
Please start with the Bachelor of Theology programme if you have a National Senior Certificate with bachelor’s pass.
Programme Specific Admission Requirements
To register for this programme, particularly for those aspiring to qualify for ordained ministry in the AFM academically, the following steps are required:
- Church Approval Processes:
- Prospective students must comply with the church’s approval processes. This ensures alignment with the values and standards upheld by the AFM community.
- AFM Ministry Ordination
- Aspiring ministers are required to complete an NQF Level 6 qualification and register for AFM-specific subjects (History, AFM Liturgy, Dogmatic, and Governance) to qualify for Ministry Integrated Learning (MIL) and AFM Ministry Ordination.
Certified or notarized proof of these requirements should accompany the application form, along with a certified or notarized copy of the student’s identification document or valid passport.
Acceptance Criteria:
All individuals meeting these criteria and possessing sufficient proficiency in English are welcomed into the programme. AFMTC values diversity and ensures an inclusive environment for academic and spiritual development.
AFM Church’s Approval Procedure:
The AFM church approval process is a crucial part of the online application for admission to the programme. Follow these steps:
- Character Reference Form:
- Complete the character reference form online.
- Recommendations/Report Forms:
- The candidate’s Senior Pastor/Assembly Leader completes the recommendations/report form of the Governing Body and the Senior Pastor/Assembly Leader online.
- The Regional/Network Leader/Secretary/Administrator completes the Regional/Network Committee recommendation form online.
- An interview will be conducted with the applicant and spouse (if married) by the Regional/Network Committee to facilitate the completion of their recommendation.
The AFM reserves the right to accept or reject applications. The National Leadership Forum’s decision is final, and no negotiations will be entered into.
Application Process:
All applications for admission must be submitted online during the prescribed application period.
All applications for admission must be submitted online during the prescribed application period. For more information on application and enrollment, please visit the Application Instructions Page.
Join us in the pursuit of academic and spiritual excellence at AFMTC.
Curriculum
The structured curriculum consists of knowledge modules (KM), practical modules (PM) and workplace modules (WM):
| MODULE 1 Essentials and characteristics of religious practitioners | ||
| KM-01 | Essentials and characteristics of religious practitioners | Credits 6 |
MODULE 2 The Bible and Bible interpretation | ||
| KM-02 | The Bible and Bible interpretation | Credits 30 |
MODULE 3 Basic Christian concepts | ||
| KM-03 | Basic Christian concepts | Credits 8 |
MODULE 4 Christian ethics | ||
| KM-04 | Christian ethics | Credits 8 |
MODULE 5 History of the church and an overview of a variety of Christian traditions | ||
| KM-05 | History of the church and an overview of a variety of Christian traditions | Credits 6 |
MODULE 6 Principles of building the faith community | ||
| KM-06 | Principles of building the faith community | Credits 8 |
| PM-03 | Interact with groups and individuals in order to facilitate spiritual growth | Credits 4 |
| PM-04 | Nuture fellowship among members of the faith community | Credits 4 |
| PM-05 | Lead the faith community to show loving care in times of need or crisis | Credits 6 |
| PM-14 | Initiate and/or participate in interventions to deal with needs and emergency situations in the community | Credits 3 |
| WM-02 | Observe and describe the existing relationships in the faith community | Credits 7 |
| Conduct at least 3 ministry activities to enhance the quality of fellowship and mutual care in a specific faith community | Credits 8 | |
MODULE 7 Principles of preaching | ||
| KM-07 | Principles of preaching | Credits 8 |
| PM-01 | Prepare sermons that will address the spiritual and contextual needs of the faith community | Credits 5 |
| WM-01 | Prepare a worship service and sermon | Credits 7 |
MODULE 8 Principles of conducting services | ||
| KM-08 | Principles of conducting services | Credits 6 |
| PM-02 | Conduct worship services within the faith community | Credits 5 |
| WM-01 | Conduct a worship service and deliver a sermon | Credits 8 |
MODULE 9 Spiritual formation, life skills training and value system development | ||
| KM-09 | Spiritual formation, life skills training and value system development | Credits 10 |
| PM-06 | Lead the faith community to live according to a Christian value system and Christian virtues | Credits 4 |
| PM-07 | Develop pro-active and reactive (coping) life skills in the faith community through preaching and teaching and mentoring | Credits 5 |
| WM-03 | Identify, in consultation with leaders in the faith community, the main issues related to the holistic well-being (socio-economic, physical, emotional and spiritual health) and Christian values of faith community members | Credits 3.3 |
| Prepare programmes and present of conduct interventions to cultivate pro- and reactive life skills and spiritual disciplines | Credits 3.3 | |
| Prepare and present programmes and interventions to nurture a Christian value system | Credits 3.4 | |
MODULE 10 Principles of pastoral counseling in a Christian context | ||
| KM-01 | Principles of pastoral counseling in a Christian context | Credits 12 |
MODULE 11 The missional calling of the Church | ||
| KM-11 | The missional calling of the Church | Credits 7 |
| PM-12 | Mobilise the faith community to share the good news of Jesus Christ with the world | Credits 4 |
| PM-13 | Plan and execute outreach programs to deal with socio-economic and other relevant needs in the wider community | Credits 3 |
| PM-15 | Participate in inter-faith community development initiatives | Credits 3 |
| PM-16 | Plan and manage the effective use of media | Credits 2 |
| WM-05 | Plan an outreach or community development project in a community | Credits 1.6 |
| Implement an outreach or community development project in a community | Credits 1.7 | |
| Promote awareness and advocacy to address a specific issue | Credits 1.7 | |
MODULE 12 Principles of church leadership and ministry management | ||
| KM-12 | Principles of church leadership and ministry management | Credits 8 |
| PM-08 | Lead a faith community through visionary spiritual leadership (strategic management as a spiritual discipline) | Credits 4 |
| PM-09 | Build the spiritual leadership capacity of the congregation/faith group | Credits 4 |
| WM-04 | Engage a faith community on aspects of visional leadership | Credits 2.5 |
| Engage a faith community on aspects of operational management, administration, financial management and accountability practices | Credits 2.5 | |
MODULE 13 Church administration, accountability and financial management | ||
| KM-13 | Church administration, accountability and financial management | Credits 6 |
| PM-10 | Facilitate effective ministries in a faith community (operational management as a spiritual discipline) | Credits 4 |
| PM-11 | Facilitate stwardship processes in the faith community (stewardship as a spiritual discipline) | Credits 4 |
| WM-04 | Engage a faith community on aspects of operational management, administration, financial management and accountability practices | Credits 2.5 |
Duration of the programme is 24 to 30 months.
Timetable
Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 | Term 4 |
1 Feb. to 30 Apr. | 1 May to 31 July | 1 Aug. to 31 Oct. | 1 Nov. to 31 Jan. |
Duration of the programme is 24 to 30 months.
Pricing
Course Fees 2024 – Christian Religious Professional NQF level 5 | |
Application Fee (Per Year) | R500 (Non-Refundable) |
Reactivation Fee | R300 (Non-Refundable) |
Course Fees | R19 550 (Online study material is included. Cost of printed books will be charged separately). |
Per Module | R575 (Non-Refundable) |
Final Exam (EISA) Fee | R1000 (the EISA fee will be revised annually) |
Cost per Study Manual: NQF Level 5 consists of 16 learner’s manuals (R200 per manual) | R3 200 |
RPL Fee | R1 200 (Non-refundable and excluding RPL Assessment fee) |
Administrative tasks (for instance, transcript issuance or provision of specific official documentation) | R200 |
The provision of a duplicate official transcript | R200 |
Note: Per module payment plan is available: R575 (Excluding printed learning material)
The application fee (R500) is not part of the module registration. Once a student is accepted in the programme with the student number, the next step will be to pay per module as signed in the payment plan with the main application. The relevant details will be communicated by the admission department after an applicant is accepted in the relevant qualification. For more information, please contact us at [email protected]
Rules for Assessment, Credit Accumulation, Progression and Qualification
Assessment
All assessment is conducted online. Unless otherwise indicated, the pass mark for all assessment tasks is 50%. To pass a course, you must maintain a grade average of 50% or above.
External Integrated Summative Assessment (EISA) and Certification
EISA is the final national exam after the full course (all the modules) has been successfully completed and learners received full competency credits for all modules. After the successful completion of the EISA exam, learners will qualify for the learners will qualify for the Certificate for Religious Pactitioners/Professional and the certification will be done by and under the supervision of the Quality Council for Trades and Occupation. For more information, please visit https://www.qcto.org.za/services/certification-and-verification/certification
