Ministry pathways at St Barnabas College
Our study programs support a range of ministry vocations including chaplaincy, ordained ministry, lay ministry, and roles in teaching, mission, or leadership within faith-based organisations. Each pathway is designed to equip you with theological knowledge, spiritual formation, and practical skills to serve with confidence, compassion, and purpose.
Potential Pathways
Whether you’re preparing for chaplaincy, ordained ministry, lay leadership, or faith-based service, our programs help shape a path that’s deeply grounded in theological understanding and guided by your unique sense of purpose.
Lay Ministry
Support the life of the church through teaching, preaching, pastoral care, and leadership without formal ordination.
Ordained Ministry
Serve as a deacon or priest, leading worship, preaching, and offering pastoral care within a faith community.
Chaplaincy
Provide spiritual and emotional care in hospitals, schools, aged care, defence, and other community settings as a compassionate presence in people’s lives.
Other Church Roles
Explore mission work, theological teaching, or leadership within faith-based or not-for-profit organisations, integrating faith with purpose-driven service.
The Discernment Process
The 2025 Ministry Discernment and Formation Program outlines the processes involved for those who are responding a call to serve God and are discerning if the call is to ordained ministry.
Seeking and Discernment
This stage includes two groups of people, those who are initially exploring their sense of calling and those who are formally discerning.
Formation
Participants are recognised as ordination candidates and commence an intentional program of preparation for ordination.
Ministry Praxis
Candidates who are deacons commence a two-year post-ordination program.
Upcoming Discernment Events
Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve compiled answers to some of the most common queries to help you feel informed, confident, and supported on your journey.
How do I know if I’m being called to Ministry?
Some people feel they are called by God to serve more deeply and intentionally. God calling can come as a surprise to some people and for others it is a strong conviction of serving in a specific role. If you think God might be calling, we invite you to consider entering a process of ministry discernment and explore which part you are feeling called to follow.
If I want to continue, what ministry roles are available?
Potential pathways are available depending on how you want to serve God. Ordained ministry is for people who want to be officially recognised as priest or deacon. This path requires completion of theological degree and formal discernment process. Lay Ministry is for people who want to fulfill church roles without formal ordination such as readers, musicians, worship leaders and youth workers. Chaplaincy is another ministry pathway if one is inclined in providing spiritual care to people in various settings such as schools, hospitals, military and prisons.
Contact St Barnabas College at admin@sbc.edu.au for further enquiries and appointment with the appropriate coordinator.