Tabor College, Australia
Encyclopedia
Tabor College, originally called The House of Tabor, in Australia
, began as a Christian tertiary college offering a range of courses from certificate
to post-graduate studies in the areas of counseling, education, ministry, performing arts, mission, youth studies and humanities in Adelaide. It spawned five additional campuses; Adelaide
, Hobart
, Melbourne
, Perth
and Sydney
. Each College is now a separate institution and offers its own awards.
), a Pentecostal
denomination
. It has retained its charismatic ethos and established itself as a liberal arts institution with many students and faculty coming from mainline churches. These include the Anglican
, Baptist
, Churches of Christ
, Uniting Church in Australia
churches, as well as many Pentecostal groups. Tabor seeks to ensure all its programs are: Scripture-based, Christ-centred, academically sound, ministry-oriented, positively expressed and spiritually empowered.
Tabor's founding principal was Pastor Barry Chant
, now at Wesley Mission
in Sydney. Chant is the author of several books including a history of Pentecostalism in Australia called Heart of Fire (1984, Adelaide: Tabor). Chant started the college in Adelaide with co-founder Dennis Slape.
The name and logo of the college refers to Mount Tabor, Israel which, according to Christian tradition, was the site of the Transfiguration of Christ described in the gospels.
in 1988 and Sydney
and Perth
in 1992. The Adelaide campus, formerly including the national headquarters, is housed in National Trust
heritage listed buildings in Goodwood
, which were formerly an orphanage and more recently an education centre.
Kingsley College merged its Higher Education courses with Tabor Victoria in January 2008.
, ministry
and divinity
. Tabor Adelaide has in the past offered a Bachelor of Arts
degree in drama
, dance
and music
based at "The Goodwood Institute" (previously the Mayfair Theatre) in Goodwood. It is also involved in teacher education and the training of health practitioners.
Tabor Victoria offers a Bachelor of Arts with majors in Psychology, Counselling, Youth Studies, Linguistics (in association with EQUIP, the training arm of the Summer Institute of Linguistics), English and Art. Minors are offered in Mathematics, History and Philosophy. Tabor Victoria also offers a Graduate Diploma in Education (Secondary). It is the birthplace of the Year in the Son Program for school leavers. The College offers a range of graduate awards, including the Master of Arts in Church Practice.
, the Association of Pentecostal and Charismatic Bible Colleges of Australasia, the Australian and New Zealand Theological Library Association, Unilinc and Missions Interlink.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, began as a Christian tertiary college offering a range of courses from certificate
Academic certificate
An academic certificate is a document that certifies that a person has received specific education or has passed a test or series of tests.In many countries, certificate is a qualification attained in secondary education. For instance, students in the Republic of Ireland sit the Junior Certificate...
to post-graduate studies in the areas of counseling, education, ministry, performing arts, mission, youth studies and humanities in Adelaide. It spawned five additional campuses; 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...
, Hobart
Hobart
Hobart is the state capital and most populous city of the Australian island state of Tasmania. Founded in 1804 as a penal colony,Hobart is Australia's second oldest capital city after Sydney. In 2009, the city had a greater area population of approximately 212,019. A resident of Hobart is known as...
, 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...
, Perth
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
and Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
. Each College is now a separate institution and offers its own awards.
History
Tabor had its origins in the then Christian Revival Crusade (now CRC Churches InternationalCRC Churches International
CRC Churches International is a Pentecostal Protestant Christian denomination based in Australia.-External links:*...
), a Pentecostal
Pentecostalism
Pentecostalism is a diverse and complex movement within Christianity that places special emphasis on a direct personal experience of God through the baptism in the Holy Spirit, has an eschatological focus, and is an experiential religion. The term Pentecostal is derived from Pentecost, the Greek...
denomination
Christian denomination
A Christian denomination is an identifiable religious body under a common name, structure, and doctrine within Christianity. In the Orthodox tradition, Churches are divided often along ethnic and linguistic lines, into separate churches and traditions. Technically, divisions between one group and...
. It has retained its charismatic ethos and established itself as a liberal arts institution with many students and faculty coming from mainline churches. These include the Anglican
Anglican Church of Australia
The Anglican Church of Australia is a member church of the Anglican Communion. It was previously officially known as the Church of England in Australia and Tasmania...
, Baptist
Baptist Union of Australia
The Baptist Union of Australia is the oldest and largest national cooperative body of Baptists in Australia. Its current National President is Reverend Dr John Beasy. The BUA is now known as Australian Baptist Ministries - ABM...
, Churches of Christ
Churches of Christ in Australia
The Churches of Christ in Australia is a Christian movement in Australia. It is part of the Restoration Movement with historical influences from the United States of America and the United Kingdom....
, Uniting Church in Australia
Uniting Church in Australia
The Uniting Church in Australia was formed on 22 June 1977 when many congregations of the Methodist Church of Australasia, the Presbyterian Church of Australia and the Congregational Union of Australia came together under the Basis of Union....
churches, as well as many Pentecostal groups. Tabor seeks to ensure all its programs are: Scripture-based, Christ-centred, academically sound, ministry-oriented, positively expressed and spiritually empowered.
Tabor's founding principal was Pastor Barry Chant
Barry Chant
Barry Chant is the author of Heart of Fire: The story of Australian Pentecostalism and a co-founder and founding Principal of Tabor College Australia. He was founding editor of Australia's New Day magazine, the first national magazine addressing Australian pentecostals, charismatics and...
, now at Wesley Mission
Wesley Mission
Wesley Mission is a name used by several Uniting Church congregations which are a part the Uniting Missions Network of UnitingCare Australia. Wesley Missions grew out of the inner city missions of the pre-union Methodist Church of Australasia...
in Sydney. Chant is the author of several books including a history of Pentecostalism in Australia called Heart of Fire (1984, Adelaide: Tabor). Chant started the college in Adelaide with co-founder Dennis Slape.
The name and logo of the college refers to Mount Tabor, Israel which, according to Christian tradition, was the site of the Transfiguration of Christ described in the gospels.
Expansion and Partnerships
The college expanded with new campuses in MelbourneMelbourne
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...
in 1988 and Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
and Perth
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
in 1992. The Adelaide campus, formerly including the national headquarters, is housed in National Trust
National Trust of Australia
The Australian Council of National Trusts is the peak body for community-based, non-government organisations committed to promoting and conserving Australia's indigenous, natural and historic heritage....
heritage listed buildings in Goodwood
Goodwood, South Australia
Goodwood is an inner southern suburb of the city of Adelaide. It neighbours the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds and features several churches in its commercial district...
, which were formerly an orphanage and more recently an education centre.
Kingsley College merged its Higher Education courses with Tabor Victoria in January 2008.
Admission
The admission process for undergraduates is based on the University Tertiary Score and interviews held between the applicants and faculty.Awards
The various Tabor Colleges offer awards in theologyTheology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
, ministry
Christian ministry
In Christianity, ministry is an activity carried out by Christians to express or spread their faith. 2003's Encyclopedia of Christianity defines it as "carrying forth Christ's mission in the world", indicating that it is "conferred on each Christian in baptism." It is performed by all Christians...
and divinity
Divinity
Divinity and divine are broadly applied but loosely defined terms, used variously within different faiths and belief systems — and even by different individuals within a given faith — to refer to some transcendent or transcendental power or deity, or its attributes or manifestations in...
. Tabor Adelaide has in the past offered a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree in drama
Drama
Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance. The term comes from a Greek word meaning "action" , which is derived from "to do","to act" . The enactment of drama in theatre, performed by actors on a stage before an audience, presupposes collaborative modes of production and a...
, dance
Dance
Dance is an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting....
and music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
based at "The Goodwood Institute" (previously the Mayfair Theatre) in Goodwood. It is also involved in teacher education and the training of health practitioners.
Tabor Victoria offers a Bachelor of Arts with majors in Psychology, Counselling, Youth Studies, Linguistics (in association with EQUIP, the training arm of the Summer Institute of Linguistics), English and Art. Minors are offered in Mathematics, History and Philosophy. Tabor Victoria also offers a Graduate Diploma in Education (Secondary). It is the birthplace of the Year in the Son Program for school leavers. The College offers a range of graduate awards, including the Master of Arts in Church Practice.
Associations
Tabor Colleges have formal links with a range of allied organisations including the South Pacific Association of Bible CollegesSouth Pacific Association of Bible Colleges
The South Pacific Association of Bible Colleges is an association of independent evangelical Bible Colleges. It was formed in 1969. Colleges are located in Australia , Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and New Zealand.Membership "requires agreement with the Association’s evangelical position with regard...
, the Association of Pentecostal and Charismatic Bible Colleges of Australasia, the Australian and New Zealand Theological Library Association, Unilinc and Missions Interlink.