Training new leaders for Australia’s post-church culture

The first cohort of the independent Great Commission Institute, founded by members of Shire Salvos, to train people in the Diploma of Ministry.

BY LAUREN MARTIN

Ten students from New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia have begun a Diploma of Ministry with the new Great Commission Institute (GCI), birthed by three Shire Salvos members with a passion for Bible-centred and spirit-led teaching.

GCI is connected with the Sydney College of Divinity but operates as an independent entity, offering Biblical training that ultimately reflects the mission of The Salvation Army.

Institute Director and lecturer, Sean Nolan, who attends Shire Salvos, said the founding of the institute, with fellow Shire Salvos members Mark Soper and Michael Hosking, was a spirit-led journey and one of obedience.

Founder and director Sean Nolan teaches during a three-day intensive on ‘Spiritual Formation’ for the Diploma of Ministry at the Great Commission Institute.

“I really feel like God started it [GCI]. It’s a difficult thing to explain because there wasn’t a specific genesis point,” he said. “And it was also a journey of possibility.

“Thinking about, ‘What could this achieve, not so much just with the students in the room, but with the investment into them.’ The first cohort is made up of 10 students who have all got quite active ministries. We are touching 10 people, but then there are probably 500-600 people who they are ministering to.”

Members of the inaugural cohort of GCI met earlier this month for a three-day intensive for the first subject of the Diploma: Spiritual Formation.

Eight people joined from across NSW, while two students joined online – one from Brisbane and one from Kununurra in Western Australia.

Pastor Marilyn Brett teaches during a three-day intensive on ‘Spiritual Formation’ for the Diploma of Ministry at the Great Commission Institute.

Shire Salvos Children and Families Ministry Coordinator, Bec Cundasamy, is part of the cohort and said the first intensive, Spiritual Formation, was “amazing”.

“I learned so much, was challenged and refreshed. Getting to know the cohort was so encouraging, and I cannot wait to do this journey with them all,” she said.

Shire Salvos Mission Leader Mark Soper, who is also a director of the new institute, says students who undertake the Diploma of Ministry will be offered missional opportunities across Shire Salvos and potentially further afield.

“Putting theological knowledge into practice, alongside experienced missional practitioners, will allow the word of God to become truly alive, just as Jesus intended it to be,” Mark said.

Salvo connection – (from left) Michael Hosking (business director), Sean Nolan (founder and director) and Mark Soper (director).

For Sean Nolan, the Great Commission Institute is one way to raise up future ministry leaders, especially for The Salvation Army.

“We all know what the problem is, but here’s a solution that we can contribute now to The Salvation Army world. It’s not going to cost much, it’s not going to require a huge amount of effort, but it’s something that we can do now that’s real and practical.”

Already, GCI is prayerfully considering additional programs as demand grows. For anyone with further questions or who is interested in studying in-person or online with the Great Commission Institute’s second cohort for the Diploma of Ministry, contact Michael Hosking at: michael@gcinstitute.org.au

The Great Commission Institute wants to bring God’s word alive in people’s lives.