Child and Family Ministry

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About Child and Family Ministry

Are you up for the challenge and privilege of ministry with children and their families? We want to equip you for ministry through a range of flexible programmes integrating your head, heart, and hands, allowing you to grow as a thoughtful, passionate and reflective leader.

Our New Zealand Certificate in Christian Studies allows you to study part-time alongside ministry, gaining valuable experience, while reflecting on ‘real’ situations and applying important learning.  You can study from wherever you are based, receive structured mentoring/coaching through a ministry supervisor and Carey tutor, and receive credits towards your qualification for your ministry experience.

Our Pastoral Leadership Training is a three-year leadership formation track for those serious about pastoral leadership and is completed alongside an NZQA diploma or degree.

We also offer specialist courses which can be completed within our undergraduate qualifications.

Children reading a book

“The qualifications that Carey offers for those pastoring children are the best available in New Zealand. You will get the skills, theological guidance and cultural understanding you need for effective ministry and mission with children in Aotearoa.”

– Karen Warner, Leadership Director, BUNZ

Photo of Melanie Keith for quote

“I came into pastoral ministry with a fairly full kete of knowledge and experience, and the Children & Family courses have been absolutely invaluable in developing my understanding of ministry with children and families.

I’ve been exposed to recent research, thought, perspectives and people that have impacted the way we partner in the faith journey with children and whānau in our own context. It’s a big commitment to study, but it’s also a smart investment with outcomes which people of all ages benefit from.”

– Melanie Keith, Associate Pastor, Northpoint Baptist Church

Related Programmes

Picture of two students used to promote NZ Certificate in Christian Studies

New Zealand Certificate in Christian Studies (Children and Families)

Gain an initial theological qualification or augment your ministry work in this 6 months full-time or two year part-time programme.

Jonathan Chou and Eunice Tong used to promote Diploma in Pastoral Leadership

Diploma in Pastoral Leadership

Be transformed to serve thriving faith communities in Aotearoa on this three-year journey of preparation for pastoral leadership.

Neven Dzaferic and Blake Pulman used to promote Specialist Courses

Specialist Courses

Specialist child and family courses:

  • Children’s Ministry (L5)
  • Foundations of Youth Ministry (L5)
  • Family & New Zealand Society (L6, L7)
  • Adolescent Development & Spirituality (L6, L7)
  • Gospel & Youth (L6, L7)

“At Carey we believe that the God of mission is at work in the world by the Spirit to renew people and places in Christ. Our calling is to equip Christian leaders with the convictions, competencies, and capacity to participate in that mission, bringing gospel renewal in churches and communities across Aotearoa and around the world.”

– John Tucker, Principal