acom.edu.au

Research @ ACOM

Effective leadership and authentic spirituality are widely recognised as two critical and inseparable keys to the health of the church in the Western world. 

Yet very little is known about either. What is a missional leader? What makes a leader missional or non-missional? Are missional leaders "born" or can they be "made" through effective education, training and development? If so, what does effective missional leadership education, training and development look like?

What makes spirituality "authentic", and what difference does authentic spirituality make anyway? If it makes a difference, how can authentic spiritually be nurtured and developed amongst Christian leaders, and throughout the Christian community?

The Australian College of Ministries' research initiatives directly address these and related questions. ACOM's research is:

  • international, transdenominational, and multidisciplinary
  • uses sophisticated research methodologies, theoretical frameworks and theological understandings to investigate missional leadership, authentic spirituality and related topics;
  • disseminated widely amongst churches, the academic community and the wider community; and thus
  • supports, influences, and explains the emerging missional and spiritual practice of the church as it seeks to reengage with culture and community in the 21st Century.

Specific topics of interest to ACOM include (but are not limited to):

  • leadership and ministry in diverse contexts,
  • spirituality and attachment to God,
  • the psychological and occupational impact of secularisation,
  • conversion, discipleship and spiritual formation from theological, psychological and historical perspectives,
  • religious/spiritual motivation, identity, self-concept and self-esteem.

ACOM is currently assembling a world-class team of staff and research associates who will drive its research agenda forward in the coming years. Already ACOM has established a core team of researchers with an impressive track record of publications, grants, postgraduate supervisions and international research networks.

Those interested in research at ACOM can contact the Director of Research, Professor Martin Dowson, for more details of ACOM's exciting research programs and directions.