SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Higher Certificate in Christian Ministry 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
96412  Higher Certificate in Christian Ministry 
ORIGINATOR
Cornerstone Institute (RF) NPC 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Higher Certificate  Field 07 - Human and Social Studies  Religious and Ethical Foundations of Society 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 05  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to provide learners with a foundation of the basic knowledge and practical ministry skills required to serve as leaders in faith and church communities as part of social change in broader society.

Rationale:
Noting the reach and impact of faith communities in South Africa today, the need for professionally trained leaders in faith communities is well defined. However, noting the intensity of social challenges the country faces, a demand specifically for faith leaders well versed in and capable of leading community change steadily grows.
This is especially the case for churches in historically disadvantaged communities that face the most severe of circumstances, but whose faith often lack the formal training and qualifications required to continue their ministry, and/or to enter First-Degree level qualifications. This Higher Certificate is designed to fill this gap.
The qualification is designed to respond to these needs and so represent the institution's commitment to offer original content that foregrounds the practice of ministry as key part of teaching and learning. To do so the qualification merges more traditional theological and biblical curriculum and classroom instruction with current and relevant fieldwork (service learning) to realise its goal of knowledge and skills development for the practice of ministry. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Learners may apply for RPL according to the Institution's Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policies and procedures. Learners need to submit a portfolio of evidence that will be assessed for admission purposes.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum admission requirements for this qualification are:
  • National Senior Certificate, Level 4 granting access to Higher Certificate studies.
    Or
  • National Certificate Vocational, Level 4 granting access to Higher Certificate studies.
    Or
  • Matriculation Certificate. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at Level 5 totalling 122 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 122 Credits:
  • Christian Spirituality: Foundations, 16 Credits.
  • Counselling and Life Skills, 12 Credits.
  • Introduction to Theology, 12 Credits.
  • Pastoral Care Theory, 8 Credits.
  • Biblical Studies 1A, 12 Credits.
  • Biblical Studies 1 B, 12 Credits.
  • Christian Ministry Practical, 6 Credits.
  • Worldviews, 6 Credits.
  • Ethics, 12 Credits.
  • Leadership Studies, 6 Credits.
  • Intercultural Communication, 12 Credits.
  • Academic Skills, 4 Credits.
  • Information (computer) Skills, 4 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Read, interpret and explain the various genres of writings found in the Bible, and relate them to the major doctrines of the Christian church.
    2. Interpret the Bible and show its relevance for meeting pastoral and community needs in South Africa.
    3. Identify and explain the foundational beliefs of the Christian faith and its development throughout history.
    4. Demonstrate a foundational understanding of Christian beliefs and practices.
    5. Articulate orally and/or in writing one's own beliefs about doctrinal issues.
    6. Assess various leadership styles and identify own particular style of leadership.
    7. Explain the basic principles of leadership and identify various styles of leadership.
    8. Identify individual leadership style and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of that style.
    9. Demonstrate competence in the skills necessary for effective leadership, including communication, planning, resource development, implementation and evaluation.
    10. Demonstrate effective communication skills with small and large groups.
    11. Demonstrate the basics of how to counsel people on a low level, minister to youth and children, and/or minister to those of other cultures in South Africa. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria are applied in an integrated way to the Exit level Outcomes, and include:
  • Demonstrated observation, listening and communication skills in verbal and written formats.
  • Demonstrated critical understanding of the theory and practice of Christian ministry.
  • Demonstrated independent and critical thinking and decision-making in evaluating and implementing ministry plans and projects.

    Integrated Assessment:
    (Summative, Formative and or WIL)

    1.1. Continuous assessment: The student's ability to integrate the elements of the qualification is assessed through tasks, activities and self-assessment.
    1.2. Formative and summative assessment: Student competency is assessed through presentations, personal interviews, service learning (under supervision), written assignments (e.g., reports, skills development exercises, case study responses, research papers, journals, verbatim) and written evaluations (e.g., quizzes, class tests, mid-module exams, final exams
    1.3. Student may gain credit through RPL for certain modules bases on an assessment of acceptable prior learning earned through formal/non formal/informal learning. If the previous work completed is at the same NQF level, then credit is applied. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
  • Country: New Zealand.
  • Institution: Catholic institute of Aotearoa.
  • Qualification Title: Certificate in Christian Studies.
  • This qualification is similar to the qualification offered by the above country in terms of the following: this qualification differs from this qualification therein that it offers curriculum on ministry across denominational boundaries, but focused on practices of ministry aligned with Christian faith principles, whereas the Certificate offered by the Catholic Institute focuses on a particular denominational curriculum, emphasising teaching in that confession.
  • Country: Namibian Evangelical Theological Seminary.
  • Institution: Namibian Evangelical Theological Seminary.
  • Qualification Title: Diploma in Ministry.
  • This qualification is similar to the qualification offered by the above country in terms of the following: this qualification differs from this qualification therein that it offers an integrated curriculum that deals with various aspects of ministry, whereas the diploma offered by NETS focus on spirituality and pastoral care. Both qualifications emphasise leadership development, but the Cornerstone HCCM offers a dedicated focus on social contexts and societal change. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Higher Certificate in Christian Ministry, NQF Level 5.
  • Higher Certificate in Community Development, NQF Level 5.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Diploma in Theology and Ministry, Level 6. 
    		•

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced qualification.
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Cornerstone Institute (RF) NPC 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.