Overview of the Ministry during Retirement Certificate
This vocational certificate is an internal programme of Auckland Park Theological Seminary (ATS) designed to provide the finishing touch needed for successful ministry during retirement.
It also facilitates access to, mobility and progression for students who do not meet the minimum admission requirements to study the Bachelor of Theology (as per Council of Higher Education, 2016. Policies on the recognition of prior learning, credit accumulation transfer, and assessment in higher education). This is done with the help of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for access. (Individuals 45 years and older meet the minimum admission requirements for the Diploma in Theology, Higher Certificate in Pastoral Counselling and Higher Certificate in Youth Work.)
Distance Learning
The course is presented as a distance learning programme, supported by printed study material and online video recordings. Students can study from anywhere.
Benefits of studying this certificate
This certificate offers a range of benefits for retired individuals who wish to engage in meaningful spiritual service while maintaining personal growth and community connection:
- Engaging in ministry-focused learning deepens personal faith and understanding of theological principles, fostering a closer relationship with God and a stronger spiritual identity.
- Learning to apply ministry in modern contexts (e.g., addressing contemporary issues like postmodernism or societal attitudes) enhances flexibility and relevance in your service.
- The certificate can provide a renewed sense of purpose by equipping retirees to serve in ministry roles, aligning their skills and experiences with spiritual goals.
- Pursuing tertiary education can be highly beneficial for retired individuals, as it helps keep their minds engaged, nurturing cognitive abilities, maintaining neural pathways, and supporting critical thinking and concentration.
- The certificate can open doors to volunteer or part-time ministry positions, allowing retirees to contribute to their communities, support others spiritually, and build a network of like-minded individuals.
- Engaging in meaningful work and spiritual service can improve emotional health by providing a sense of meaning and combating feelings of loneliness or irrelevance after retirement.
- Retirees can use their ministry training to mentor younger generations, share life wisdom, and contribute to the growth of their faith community, creating a lasting impact.
- Ministry roles can often be adapted to fit retirees’ schedules and energy levels, allowing them to balance service with relaxation or family time. The certificate equips them to choose roles that suit their capabilities, such as prayer ministry or occasional teaching.
- For retirees with prior professional or life experience, this certificate allows them to channel their wisdom into ministry.
Research studies, show that purpose-driven activities, social engagement, and mental stimulation in retirement are linked to improved health outcomes, including lower risks of dementia and depression. A ministry-focused certificate aligns with these findings by combining intellectual growth, community involvement, and spiritual fulfilment - key components for holistic well-being in later life.
Interested in learning what is unique about ATS’ study offers?
Duration
ATS enrols new students bi-annual, in January and in June for this certificate.
This certificate can be completed in 12 months. The maximum period is 24 months.
An estimate 600 study hours are needed - the equivalent of between 2 to 3 study hours per day (1 year) or 1 to 1.5 hours per day (2 years).
Assessment
Modules include self-test questions, self-reflection exercises, social learning tasks, and tasks for learning by doing. These assessments will help the student learn the work and identify where they still have growth areas.
At the end of every module the student will write an online examination to assess whether the student has successfully achieved the outcome of the module. If a student fails the examination, they may apply to write the Second Opportunity Examination.
Please note the requirement that you have access to a stable Internet connection to watch the online learning videos, and complete the exams on ATS’ online assessment platform. This can be done on a PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone.
Study fees for the Ministry during Retirement Certificate (2026)
1st semester registration (January)
- Learning how to Learn
- Module 1: Spiritual growth - Prayer
- Module 2: Old Testament
- Module 3: Spiritual growth - How to study the Bible
- Module 4: New Testament
The deposit fee for the 1st semester is R1,540 (35%) and is payable on the date of registration.
The remaining amount needs to be paid in 3 equal monthly installments.
The total cost for the 1st semester is R4,400.
2nd semester registration (June)
- Module 5: Addressing Poverty through an Entrepreneurial Lens
- Module 6: Preaching & liturgy
- Module 7: Spiritual growth - Live by the Spirit
- Module 8: Christian faith and life (Dogmatics)
- Module 9: Christian Ethics
The deposit fee for the 2nd semester is R1,925 (35%) and is payable on the date of registration.
The remaining amount needs to be paid in 3 equal monthly installments.
The total cost for the 2nd semester is R5,500.
Unlike other institutions, Auckland Park Theological Seminary does NOT charge extra fees for your initial Application, Registration every semester or Examinations.
100% of the prescribed study materials are included in the module fees and provided to the student at the start of the semester.
A handling and dispatching fee for study material is payable if you do not collect your material from ATS. Estimated R200.
Content and Outcomes of the Ministry during Retirement Certificate
The certificate consists of 10 modules. The modules and their individual outcomes are as follows:
Learning how to Learn
This online micro-module includes 4 videos (30 minutes total):
- explain invaluable learning techniques,
- look at how the brain works during learning,
- how to deal with procrastination, and
- best practices in helping students master subject outcomes.
Module 1: Spiritual growth - Prayer
This practical module will assist you in improving your prayer life, your relationship with God and daily living. The content is built around a theological journey with the Lord’s Prayer as guide.
By the end of this module you will know:
- Why you must pray.
- What prayer is - the different kinds of prayers.
- What the things are that improve or frustrate your prayers.
- Prayer is about life and that life and prayer cannot be segregated as two different matters.
- When God has become our Father, there is a mass of truth that can change our entire lives.
- That model prayer introduces us to God’s cause and its victory in this world. His business must triumph in our lives and in this world.
- The will of God is important and essential for all aspects of life;
- In Jesus Christ, God has provided for our total needs… Nothing was omitted.
Module 2: Old Testament
At the end of this module you will be able to:
- debate the issue of the authority and inspiration of the Old Testament
- describe the attitude of Jesus and Paul towards the Old Testament
- explain the purpose and meaning of the term “revelation”
- identify the main historical eras in Israel’s history before the exile
- explain the structure and significance of Genesis 1-11
- describe the succession of world powers which dominated Palestine from the exile to New Testament times
- identify the problems involved in history writing and its purpose
- explain the connection between your story and the Biblical story
- describe characteristics and development of wisdom texts
- explain the role and function of the prophet
- explain the structure and various literary types of the Book of Psalms
- explain Brueggemann’s understanding of the psalms as psalms of orientation, disorientation, and new orientation.
Module 3: Spiritual growth - How to study the Bible
At the end of this module you will know:
- what the Bible is and its purpose
- how to read the Bible
- what principles to implement when interpreting the Bible
- what mistakes to avoid when interpreting the Bible
- what types of writings are contained in the Bible
- what rules to apply in interpreting three NT types of Scripture: parables, narrative and instruction.
Module 4: New Testament
At the end of this module you will know:
- what the term “gospel” means
- what the content of Matthew’s gospel is
- who Mark was and what he includes in his gospel
- who the author of Luke’s gospel was, and why and when he wrote it
- who wrote the Acts of the Apostles, why did he write it, and when?
- who the author of the Gospel of John was, and why and when he wrote it
- what the unique characteristics are of John’s gospel
- what the background and purpose was of the three epistles of John
- the purpose, content and characteristics of the book of Revelations
- when, why and what with regard to the epistles of Paul
Module 5: Addressing Poverty through an Entrepreneurial Lens
This module is fundamentally within a Christian world view and is directed towards helping people to become more entrepreneurial and addressing poverty.
This module will help you to:
- Understand what poverty “looks” like in South Africa and explore how the two building blocks for a poverty alleviation plan are relevant to this “image”.
- Understand and analyse the characteristics associated with the different phases of a revival.
- Adjust business ethics to be in accordance with a Biblical understanding of Truth.
- Understand the importance of an “entrepreneurial awakening” and how it is linked as a “by-product” of a personal encounter with the resurrected Christ.
- Explore new ways in which a local church can become involved in the motivation and support of new entrepreneurial ventures.
- Explain principles that might help church members identify new business opportunities.
- Guide people in developing a new business idea into a “bulletproof” idea.
Module 6: Preaching & liturgy
At the end of this module you will understand, and be able to:
- receive a message from God
- develop a sermon
- deliver a sermon
- explain the historical background of the development of liturgy
- understand the basic principles that form the framework of Pentecostal liturgy
- discuss two liturgical elements: prayer and singing
Module 7: Spiritual growth - Live by the Spirit
After studying this module, you will be able to:
- Discuss the misconceptions that hinder our understanding of the Holy Spirit
- Explain the hermeneutic key that will guide our understanding of the Holy Spirit
- Give examples of the Holy Spirit and His work in the Old Testament
- Discuss the role of the Holy Spirit in the ministry of Jesus
- Explore the meaning of Jesus being introduced, as the Baptiser in the Holy Spirit
- Discuss the wonderful meaning of the working of the Holy Spirit in a Christian’s life
- Explain the implications and importance of the imperative to “live by the Spirit”
- Discuss the magnificent promises Jesus made about the baptism with the Holy Spirit
- Explain what the Baptism of the Holy Spirit entail and what speaking in tongues mean.
Module 8: Christian faith and life (Dogmatics)
Dogmatics is all about doctrinal matters as found in the Bible. There are many topics to discuss, but in this module a selection of only a few topics are chosen.
At the end of this module you will be able to:
- understand the difference between a basis and a bonus in theology
- discuss the characteristics and consequences of a Christ-centred theology?
- name the main events in the progressive revelation of God.
- understand that God’s revelation as a shift from the outer and visible to the inner and spiritual.
- discuss what is meant by knowing God?
- explain the purpose of salvation.
- write explanatory notes on assurance of salvation.
- discuss the contents of the covenant between God and man?
- discuss what is meant by the fulfilment of the Law.
- give a short history of the development of the covenant between God and man.
Module 9: Christian Ethics
Included in this module are:
- Marriage as a unity of two
- The husband’s position
- The wife’s position
- Marital potholes
- Relationships
- The I-I relationship
- I-You relationship
- I-IT relationship
- Forgiveness
