Presbyterian Theological Centre
Encyclopedia
The Presbyterian Theological Centre is the theological college
of the Presbyterian Church of Australia
in New South Wales. It provides theological education for candidates of the ministry and members of the laity
, and is an approved teaching institution of the Australian College of Theology
.
The other theological colleges of the Presbyterian Church of Australia are the Presbyterian Theological College
in Melbourne
, the Queensland Theological College
(formerly the Consortium of Reformed Colleges) in Brisbane
, and the Prezra Bible College in Adelaide
.
, including the Presbyterian Church of Australia’s later Declaratory Statement of 1901. It was located in St Andrew's College
at the University of Sydney
, and from the early 1920’s co-operated with the Methodist and Congregational colleges under the United Faculty of Theology. In 1983 the Theological Centre moved to Shaftesbury Road, Burwood
and expanded its scope to include training of the laity, as well as elders, missionaries, deaconesses, chaplains, church planters, and youth workers.
The Dean of the College in the early years in Burwood was Rev John Davies, who served as principal and lecturer in Hebrew and Old Testament exegesis. In 2010, Rev Ian Smith took over from Rev Davies as principal.
The Students’ Representative Council represents the students of the College, with responsibility for fostering community spirit, service to each other, and improving student resources
Seminary
A seminary, theological college, or divinity school is an institution of secondary or post-secondary education for educating students in theology, generally to prepare them for ordination as clergy or for other ministry...
of the Presbyterian Church of Australia
Presbyterian Church of Australia
The Presbyterian Church of Australia is the largest Presbyterian denomination in Australia. .-Beginnings:...
in New South Wales. It provides theological education for candidates of the ministry and members of the laity
Laity
In religious organizations, the laity comprises all people who are not in the clergy. A person who is a member of a religious order who is not ordained legitimate clergy is considered as a member of the laity, even though they are members of a religious order .In the past in Christian cultures, the...
, and is an approved teaching institution of the Australian College of Theology
Australian College of Theology
The Australian College of Theology is an Australian theological education provider. The college was one of the first Australian non-university providers to offer an accredited bachelor's degree and a research doctorate. Over 15,000 people have graduated since the foundation of the college,...
.
The other theological colleges of the Presbyterian Church of Australia are the Presbyterian Theological College
Presbyterian Theological College
The Presbyterian Theological College is the theological college of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria. It provides theological education for candidates for the ministry of the Presbyterian Church of Australia, as well as for members of all Christian churches...
in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, the Queensland Theological College
Queensland Theological College
Queensland Theological College is a theological college in Queensland, Australia. Based in Brisbane, it is the training college of the Presbyterian Church of Queensland and takes a Reformed Evangelical or Reformed Protestant stance...
(formerly the Consortium of Reformed Colleges) in Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
, and the Prezra Bible College in Adelaide
Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
.
History
The Presbyterian Church of New South Wales established the Theological Hall in 1873, to train Presbyterian ministers in accordance with the Westminster Confession of FaithWestminster Confession of Faith
The Westminster Confession of Faith is a Reformed confession of faith, in the Calvinist theological tradition. Although drawn up by the 1646 Westminster Assembly, largely of the Church of England, it became and remains the 'subordinate standard' of doctrine in the Church of Scotland, and has been...
, including the Presbyterian Church of Australia’s later Declaratory Statement of 1901. It was located in St Andrew's College
St Andrew's College, Sydney
St Andrew's College is a Protestant co-residential college within the University of Sydney, in the suburb of Camperdown.-History:St Andrew's College was incorporated by Act of Parliament and received Royal Assent from Queen Victoria on 12 December 1867. The St Andrew's College Act 1998 replaced the...
at the University of Sydney
University of Sydney
The University of Sydney is a public university located in Sydney, New South Wales. The main campus spreads across the suburbs of Camperdown and Darlington on the southwestern outskirts of the Sydney CBD. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in Australia and Oceania...
, and from the early 1920’s co-operated with the Methodist and Congregational colleges under the United Faculty of Theology. In 1983 the Theological Centre moved to Shaftesbury Road, Burwood
Burwood, New South Wales
Burwood is a suburb in the inner-west of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Burwood is located 12 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district and is the administrative centre for the local government area of Burwood Council....
and expanded its scope to include training of the laity, as well as elders, missionaries, deaconesses, chaplains, church planters, and youth workers.
The Dean of the College in the early years in Burwood was Rev John Davies, who served as principal and lecturer in Hebrew and Old Testament exegesis. In 2010, Rev Ian Smith took over from Rev Davies as principal.
Degrees and Programs
PTC is accredited to offer the following degrees in various forms:- Certificate of Theology (CertTh)
- Diploma of Theology (DipTh)
- Diploma of Ministry (DipMin)
- Graduate Diploma of Theology (GradDipTh)
- Graduate Diploma of Divinity (GradDipDiv)
- Bachelor of Christian Studies (BChrStuds)
- Bachelor of Ministry (BMin)
- Bachelor of TheologyBachelor of TheologyThe Bachelor of Theology is a three to five year undergraduate degree in theological disciplines. Candidates for this degree typically must complete course work in Greek or Hebrew, as well as systematic theology, biblical theology, ethics, homiletics and Christian ministry...
(BTh) - Master of DivinityMaster of DivinityIn the academic study of theology, the Master of Divinity is the first professional degree of the pastoral profession in North America...
(Mdiv) - Master of ArtsMaster of Arts (postgraduate)A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
in Theology (MA) - Master of TheologyMaster of TheologyA Master of Theology is an advanced theological research degree offered by universities, divinity schools, and seminaries.-North America:In North America, the Master of Theology is considered by the Association of Theological Schools to be the minimum educational credential for teaching...
(MTh) - Doctor of TheologyDoctor of TheologyDoctor of Theology is a terminal academic degree in theology. It is a research degree that is considered by the U.S. National Science Foundation to be the equivalent of a Doctor of Philosophy....
(ThD)
Facilities
The College features two lecture rooms, a chapel seating 150, a library of over 36,000 volumes, which is open to the public.Faculty
The current faculty includes:- Principal: Rev Dr Ian Smith
- Vice Principal: John McClean
- Lecturers: ; Rev Dr Peter BarnesPeter Barnes (minister)Peter Barnes is an Australian author, speaker, lecturer, missionary and currently the pastor of Revesby Presbyterian Church in Revesby, New South Wales, Australia...
; - Part Time Lecturers: Dr Paul Barnett
Students
The Presbyterian Theological Centre has more than 100 students, both male and female. The college also admits members of other denominations for theological training.The Students’ Representative Council represents the students of the College, with responsibility for fostering community spirit, service to each other, and improving student resources