Tahlee Bible College

Our Characteristics and Values

Transformation:
The purpose of Bible College training is not just to fill your head with information, pass an exam and be awarded a certificate. Bible study and training, empowered by God's Spirit, should have as its aim the transformation of character, attitudes and behaviour that will flow through a person's life and ministry.

Focus on Evangelism and Global Mission:
In an extremely needy world, there are a multitude of ministries that Christians can be engaged in. But the only sure hope for changed lives and eternal security is by people responding to God's offer of forgiveness and transformation by His grace and power. So we emphasise training in the clear and relevant proclamation of the Gospel in Australia and overseas.

Relationships:
A vital component of any ministry today is being able to initiate and maintain effective relationships. Most of our staff (lecturers, administration and property) and students live together in community. This provides the opportunity for all to learn and grow in character and relationships as we live, work and minister together.

Small Groups and Mentoring:
Small groups are at the growing edge of the church around the world. They are effective settings for evangelism and Christian growth. Staff and students share together in small groups and mentoring roles to encourage each other in growth and ministry.

Practical Ministry Training:
Classroom teaching and private study are, of course, valuable parts of the learning process but are not enough in themselves. Practical application in ministry is an integral part of our training. All students engage in practical ministry in the College program, such as leading worship, sharing testimonies and preaching, and are required to have regular ministry in local churches.
Tahlee Bible College is the training arm of Tahlee Ministries Inc. and students are able to gain from the expertise and experience of its itinerant evangelists. Outreach events for children, youth and adults are also held regularly on the College property. The Certificate IV in Christian Ministry, in particular, provides the flexbility to integrate classroom learning with practical ministry experience.

Small Interactive Classes:
We practise the educational principle of having small class numbers to enable more interactive and personal attention by teachers.

Family-Friendly:
The registered Pre-school, suitable accommodation and the holiday-like community environment all make Tahlee a great place for families to study.

Tranquil Setting and Simple Lifestyle:
In an era when people are suffering high levels if stress, anxiety and breakdown, and their lives are crowded with the busyness and noise of the rat race, Tahlee is the ideal place for renewal, study and reflection in the midst of God's creation. The simple lifestyle also helps people break free of society's dependence on material possessions. A former student described it as "a haven from the world gone mad".

Specially-Designed Courses; Direct Accreditation:
Accreditation with ACOM Localnet has allowed us the flexibility of designing our own curriculum for the Certificate IV in Christian Ministry. So we have the balance of high educational standards, as well as a course that is Bible-based and relevant to Christian life and ministry in today's world.

Multi-Denominational:
Staff and students come from different church backgrounds. The courses don't emphasise any particular denominational beliefs or practices. The College holds to an Evangelical Biblical basis, with an openness to the Holy Spirit and a wide range of practices in church life and ministry.

Rural Setting:
Since its beginning, Tahlee Ministries Inc. has had a particular concern for struggling, hurting rural churches and communities. The rural setting of Tahlee helps to prepare students for ministry in these areas, in both Australia and overseas. A former student has written: "What I learned at Tahlee was of more help to me in living my later life than in all the education I received at four universities, teachers' college and numerous state schools put together."

Intercultural:
We want to help Christians be able to interact more effectively in multicultural Australia, as well as in overseas ministry. Having international students living in community with staff and students provides the opportunity to learn how to understand and relate to one another crossculturally. Regular overseas short-term mission teams provide further opportunity for developing cross-cultural perspectives and ministry skills.

Mission Statement

The mission of Tahlee Bible College is to:

provide a caring, learning community within which students can be assisted to develop their intellectual, interpersonal, creative and spiritual capacities;

assist students to develop comprehensive and sound understanding of the Bible and other relevant knowledge and skills from the fields of theology, history, language studies and social sciences;

provide quality Vocational Training and Higher Education that will prepare graduates for work within a range of church-based, interdenominational and international organisations; and

assist students to develop skills, attitudes and commitment to life-long learning and Christian service.

WHY and HOW we learn and train