Higher Certificate IN
THEOLOGY
The Higher Certificate in Theology (HCTh) provides students with a solid biblical and theological foundation for lay ministry within the local church. Students are introduced to the various fields of ministry and gain insights that are contextually relevant to Southern Africa.This programme can be completed over one year or at your own pace.
Study Mode:
- Distance
The perfect programme for:
- Lay Preachers
- Church leaders
- Church Interns
COURSES WITHIN THE 'HIGHER CERTIFICATE OF THEOLOGY' PROGRAMME
First Semester
The following courses are offered as part of the Higher Certificate of Ministry during the first Semester (Feb-June). If you complete the HCMin in one year, all of these courses need to be completed in your first semester of study. If you are completing your HCMin over a longer period, you can choose two or three of these courses in your first year, and the rest in the second year.
Compulsory Courses
This course is a survey of the books of the Old and New Testaments, as well as an overview of other pertinent information to aid your understanding of the context of Scripture. To this end, the Bible will be dealt with in a book-by-book fashion. The major themes as well as other important details within each book will be discussed. Basic background information and contextual details will also be presented.
Christian Doctrine is an introduction to Systematic Theology, its background, main doctrines and an introduction to its technical names. It includes a brief introduction to the doctrines of the Church, including some of the variations of interpretation posited by some schools. In this course students are required to study in greater depth the doctrines here discussed.
This course is designed to examine the important aspects of Systematic Theology. The first element will discuss various systematic theological schemas to serve as an orientation to doing Systematic Theology. The second element will discuss the Bible as revelation from God, and therefore as the Word of God. The third element discusses Theology proper, which is the Doctrine of God. The fourth element will discuss the Doctrine of Man. The fifth element will discuss the Doctrine of the World (cosmos), that is, of creation, angels, and demons. The sixth element will discuss the Doctrine of the Last Times. The seventh and last element will discuss Biblical Ethics.
It has been said that everything rises and falls on leadership (John Maxwell). In that line of thinking the greatest need in Africa today is not resources, but leadership. Leaders of integrity are needed who will spearhead transformation at every level of society. That challenge exists within Christian ministry as well. This course will consider Christian leadership by means of an examination of the processes items that God uses to develop a leader, as well as the stages of development.
World Mission is an important course in Missiology within the Higher Certificate in Theology (NQF 5) Programme dealing with the Biblical basis of Mission, Mission History and important global trends for Christians to have knowledge of that have direct bearing on local and global missions. This exploratory course will add great value to the student’s overall perspective of mission and the local church.
This course is designed to give learners an overall perspective of Youth Ministry. Africa’s population is 75% young, which implies that the church’s future lies with this generation. On the contrary, church programs are mostly designed to cater to the older generation. For that reason, we would like to influence our denominations towards prioritising youth ministry.
To accomplish this, attention will be given to a biblical basis for youth ministry, expose the learner to youth and youth ministry, discuss aspects of youth ministry, and present the place of youth in the church. The course is primarily intended to create awareness and develop an understanding of young people and youth ministry – both for those called to youth ministry and for those who are part of the church, whether as a leader or otherwise.
Second Semester
The following courses are offered as part of the Higher Certificate of Ministry during the Second Semester (July-Nov). If you complete the HCMin in one year, all of these courses need to be completed in your second semester of study. If you are completing your HCMin over a longer period, you can choose two or three of these courses in your first year, and the rest in the second year.
Compulsory Courses
This course is constructed in order to assist the learner on how to understand and study the Bible.
One of the hindrances to our learning to study the Bible well is the fear that perhaps only certain people are capable of this.
While we are not all called to be teachers, all of us can learn to study the Bible more effectively. In any given group of people there are many who have a real gift of studying and communicating the Scriptures, but who simply lack the training. This becomes clear when one sees the insights which the students come up with from Scripture. The next stage of the process is how to preach what one has discovered, and be astounded by the quality and variety of the sermons produced. Many find themselves touched profoundly by these messages; many of them as good as any that are listened to in churches Sunday by Sunday, except that they lack some of the polish that comes with experience – perhaps a good thing. The students themselves become amazed at what they produce.
It has become our growing conviction that we can all embark on a journey of increasing self- discovery from the Scriptures whether for preaching, leading a Bible Study or personal self-study. Our hope is that you will embark on this journey of discovery in this course, at whatever point you find yourself in the process right now.
The course, Gospel Communication, empowers students with knowledge to preach the Christian Scriptures. We believe that the Bible is God’s Word and must be correctly interpreted and proclaimed by those whom the Lord has gifted. Through a disciplined application of the Word of God, the health and growth of local churches, communities and any nation are made possible. This course is designed to help students to become better preachers of the Word of God in whatever context the Lord has placed them, so that they may become world-changers.
The course is designed to orientate the student to the gift of preaching. This course is designed to apply the lessons learned in the companion discipline within the Biblical Studies program, where exegetical principles are learned. This course helps the student in applying the exegetical principles for communication through the discipline of preaching. Therefore, knowledge of relevant concepts that form the discipline of preaching, such as, the function of sermons, forming sermons, refining sermons, preaching sermons, etc. are included to help the student. All of this is important for preaching the truth of the Word of God to the local church, which forms the Gospel Communication course.
Mission Sending is an integral Course in the field of Missiology within the Mission Sending (NQF 5) certificate program. God the Father is a sending, missionary God, who send Jesus to this world, and Jesus commissions the church to complete the mission of Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit. The fullness of God participates in the mission. This course aims to define apologetics, evangelism and discipleship and their inter-connectedness in the sending capacity of the local church; from Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth. This course is exploratory and aims toward broad-based inclusion of relevant subject matter in a way that is challenging practically and engaging intellectually.
Welcome to this course. One cannot really call it a course as no lectures whatsoever are given, yet it requires hard work and discipline to comply with its requirements. All that is needed is reading… and reading… and reading.
We believe that the Bible is the Word of God, and it is the one thing we as ministers (and Christians) cannot (should not) compromise. The Bible is fundamental to all our living, teaching, instruction and equipping. We hold the Bible in high esteem and encourage all our learners to make it central to their life and ministry now and in the future.
Welcome to History of Christianity in South Africa! This is an important and challenging
foundational course at BTC.
It is important because it helps us understand why churches in the South African context
are the way they are. If you do not know the historical background and history in the
context you live you cannot be effectively engage with the people, challenges, and
doctrines when they talk about the past and how their church context has developed.
It is challenging because as you look into the course of South African Church history you
will learn to appreciate the full picture of God’s work through the local church in South Africa.
I hope is that you will cherish the Gospel and use what you learn in this course to share the
Gospel more effectively.
2024 FEES
Higher Certificate of Theology-
Registration Fee Per Semester - R700 (before 22 Jan)
-
Late Registration Fee - R1050 (after 22 Jan)
-
Annual Technology Fee - R750
Upfront Payment of R5000 to be paid before commencement of study. This payment be credited against your registration fee, technology fee, and the balance will be put toward your course fees. The balance of your course fees for the semester are to paid in two payment - 50% by the 31st of March and 50% by 31 May.
Example: If your total cost for the semester is R17200, your payments will be as follows:
Before Commencement of Studies - R5000
31 March - R6100
31 May - R6100
Entry Requirements
- Matriculant with a National Senior Certificate (or equivalent) or
- Students who are 26 years old or older may be admitted through a Recognition of Prior Learning/Experience application
Programme Details
- NQF Level 5
- 120 Minimum Credits
- SAQA #100719
Further Study Opportunities
Students who complete the Higher Certificate in Theology (NQF level 5) are able to articulate horizontally (on the same NQF level of study) to the Higher Certificate in Ministry programme or vertically (to the next level of study) into the Bachelor of Biblical Studies (NQF level 7) programme within the College. Articulation possibilities for further studies on NQF level 5 or where an NQF level 5 qualification is required for admission into a programme at other accredited institutions are available.