Governance & Strategy

The operation of Pilgrim Theological College is overseen by the Theological and Ministerial Education Committee, which essentially functions as the Ministerial Education Board in the Uniting Church Synod of Victoria and Tasmania. The Committee is accountable to the Synod’s Ministry and Mission Committee.

Members:

Rev. Dr Sunny Chen (Chairperson)
Rev. Dr Jenny Byrnes
Rev. Caro Field
Dr. Kate Scull
Rev. Duncan Macleod
Rev Ikani Vaitohi

Kyle Moffit (UCA Candidates’ Association Representative)
Dr Paul Chandler
Prof. Harmen Oppewal
Rev. Ass. Prof. Sean Winter (Head of College)
Rev. Prof Stephen Burns (Pilgrim Faculty)

For the quality and content of its learning and teaching program, Pilgrim Theological College is responsible to the Standards for Ministry Committee of the National Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia.

The College forms an integral part of the equipping Leadership for Mission unit (eLM) that aims to provide resources, education and engagement within the Synod.

Being within the University of Divinity, the College must also uphold the standards required for Australian universities by the Australian Government.

The academic oversight of the curriculum and research operations of Pilgrim is exercised by the Academic Committee. The research agenda focuses on supporting and encouraging the culture of research and scholarship within the College. The Committee is responsible for considering applications for research grants, organising seminars and programs for visiting scholars, enabling Faculty engagement and cooperation in research, and facilitating the publication of theology.

Responsibility for overseeing Uniting Church candidates and their formation, and the use of bequest monies, is exercised by the UCA Formation and Oversight

Committee. This Committee works in close partnership with Presbyteries to whom the Faculty reports on readiness for ministry.

Below you will find further information about the regulations and governance arrangements for Pilgrim, and copies of the College strategic planning documents.