Waiapu Certificate

The Waiapu Certificate is designed as a pathway to introduce those without formal theological or biblical education to the language of the church. Exploring theology, biblical studies, church history and ecclesiology, alongside practical short courses to support you in your ministry or help you discern your call, there is something for everyone.

​There are two Waiapu Certificate papers coming up over the next few months.

The Prayer Book – Rites Rubrics and Reasons

A 5-week course exploring A New Zealand Prayer Book / He Karakia Mihinare o Aotearoa.  It’s designed to support lay and ordained people to lead worship using the book which shapes so much of our life as Anglicans in Aotearoa New Zealand. The course combines the practical with the theological, from using the prayer book in ministry to understanding the various liturgies available to us.  In addition to the five lectures there are also three tutorials – including an online tutorial run over Zoom. It can be undertaken for credit (leading to achievement of the certificate), as an interest option or as part of a home group curriculum.

Lay Ministers with a licence to plan and lead worship should definitely do it – others will also find it useful: it will enliven your own worship. 

For the course outline, and to enrol, click on this link. Enrolment will be open on 3 March.

The Course will start after Easter, in the week of 6 April.  (Why not sooner?  That’s because we realise many students will also be involved in Lenten Study groups.)

Reading the Bible: Finding the Word in the Word

This course was run for the first time last year, and we are going to repeat it.  It comprises 15 lecture (watched online) and seven fortnightly tutorials. Again, there will be on online tutorial option.  Several home groups followed the course lectures, and for those doing it for credit there are also some simple assignments.

It’s for anyone who’s a member of an Anglican church in the Diocese of Waiapu, and especially those involved in licensed lay ministry, or interested in exploring a call to other sorts of ministry.   If you’re wanting to increase your knowledge of the Bible and your confidence in it this paper is for you.

For the course outline, and to enrol, click on this link. Enrolment will be open on 3 March.

The start date will depend on enrolments (e.g. if there are people are doing the Prayer Book course as well as Reading the Bible we will run the courses sequentially to avoid overloading people.)