| DESCRIPTION: |
The general ministry competencies required for this designation are to:
conduct ministry functions in a faith community that will facilitate spiritual formation; develop bonds of mutual care within the faith community;
help members to develop a Christian lifestyle;
provide strategic leadership that leads to obedience to vocation as well as well-being and sustainability of the faith community and assists the faith community to focus on spiritual and physical needs in the wider community.
In terms of pastoral care and counselling, the focus of this designation is short term, focused, goal-directed, contracted care or counselling, provided by a trained professional within the context of a spiritual community. Specialised knowledge of and training in care and counselling within the particular faith tradition is a prerequisite. It usually deals with specific personal, transitional, relational or situational crises. The professional as counsellor needs to be aware of his / her limitations and know the criteria for referral. |
| AWARDING CRITERIA |
| For the Professional Designation to be awarded, professionals must comply with the following minimum requirements: |
| Underlying Registered Qualification or Part Qualification: |
Occupational Certificate: Christian Religious Professional at NQF Level 5, SAQA ID 101571.
Any other SAQA registered ministry or theology qualification on NQF Level 5 or higher. |
| Experiential Learning or Experience |
| An applicant with a relevant qualification but less than one year of ministry experience will be registered as a "Religious Practitioner intern". For Advanced Religious Practitioners who will focus on pastoral care, the practical experience must include at least twenty (20) hours of supervised caring experience. |
| Competency Assessment |
| Formal confirmation of the ministry experience as required for this designation (information provided on the application form and a third-party confirmation document) will be assessed by the responsible officer of the professional body. |
| Designation RPL Statement |
| This Designation may be awarded through Recognition of Prior Learning. |
| RETAINING CRITERIA |
| In order to ensure the currency of professional knowledge and to retain the Professional Designation, the professional must comply with the following minimum requirements: |
| Code of Conduct |
| Members must adhere to the Professional Body Codes of Conduct and Ethics. |
| Continuing Professional Development (CPD) |
| 20 CPD points must be accumulated per 12-month period. |
| Fees |
| Ensure that the annual membership fee is paid. |
