The John Paver Centre is one of 11 Supervised / Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) centres in Victoria. Our programs are run in conjunction with the equipping Leadership for Mission (eLM) unit of the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania. The Centre is registered with the Association for Supervised and Clinical Pastoral Education in Victoria (ASACPEV), and our courses reflect ASACPEV Standards.

Supervised / Clinical Pastoral Education is a rigorous action-reflection process of education focused on enhancing pastoral identity, skills and responsiveness. This process also involves developing reflective practice and theological / spiritual reflection. Learning is gained from small-group peer interaction and individual supervision.

Established in 2010, the centre is named in honour of Rev Prof John Paver, who was passionate about CPE as a means of formation for ministry. He was Director of Ministry Studies at what is now the University of Divinity. In 1993 he was appointed Professor of Ministry at what is now Pilgrim Theological College.

CPE participants are placed in diverse settings:

• prisons
• forensic and community mental health
• disability
• schools
• aged care
• congregations
• hospitals

If you are already working in a pastoral / spiritual care role you may consider undertaking CPE within your existing context as part of professional development.

The next Supervised Pastoral Education unit will run from August to December 2024 with applications closing Friday, May 31, 2024. For more information and to apply, view the brochure.

Participants are required to supply evidence of an agency or organisation’s support for the duration of a placement. By negotiation, an on-site Administrative Supervisor will also be appointed.

If you have any questions about our program schedules, placements and application dates, please contact: