TABOR's FAQ

   FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT IS TABOR COLLEGE?

Tabor College is a national, non-denominational, charismatic College for people of all churches. At its various campuses around Australia, there are over sixty permanent staff, plus scores of visiting lecturers, and around 1500 students. Tabor College began in 1979 in Adelaide, South Australia. The Sydney, New South Wales campus commenced in 1992.   MORE


 WHERE IS THE COLLEGE LOCATED?

Tabor College is located in five States – New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia. The New South Wales campus is located in the Sutherland Shire at 10 Kiama Street, Miranda. MORE


 WHAT COURSES ARE OFFERED?

Information about the courses available may be found through the pages of this website and in the Tabor College Handbook.

Tabor College NSW offers accredited courses in:

More about Courses
 

WHO IS BEHIND TABOR COLLEGE?

Tabor is multi-denominational and not linked with any particular denomination or local church. Tabor students come from many different churches and denominations. Tabor was founded by Dr Barry Chant and his wife Vanessa. Barry is highly regarded across the denominations and continues to lecture at the NSW campus. Barry is now the Senior Minister at Wesley International Congregation in Sydney and Vanessa is head of the Counselling stream at Tabor College NSW. The College has a Board of Directors made up of academics, pastors, business-people and other leaders. Each campus has its own Principal. Board members, faculty and staff come from many different denominations.


WHERE DOES TABOR'S FINANCIAL SUPPORT COME FROM?

Tabor is a faith ministry. Tuition fees do not cover all the costs of operating the College. Tabor NSW greatly appreciates receiving donations and gifts from individuals and businesses to enable its continued growth and development. Our dependence is continually on God. As a student you will learn from experience about living by faith.


 WHAT DOES THE TABOR LOGO SIGNIFY?

The name 'Tabor' is taken from Mount Tabor in Israel, which many believe to have been the mount of Transfiguration. The logo depicts this mountain, with the lines suggesting an ascent to meet Christ in his glory. Like the disciples who saw Jesus transformed there, our goal is to be 'witnesses of his majesty' (2 Peter 1:16).


WHAT IS TABOR'S MISSION STATEMENT?

The Mission of Tabor College NSW is written into the Statement of Purposes within its constitution, the College has the following purposes:

  1. To promote and provide opportunities for high quality Christian education for people from all Christian denominations and churches through the development and teaching of courses, seminars, tapes and other appropriate means;

  2. To educate and train men and women for effective Christian ministry by developing and teaching courses appropriate to the needs of the Christian Church in Australia and beyond;

  3. To offer courses that are appropriate to the training needs of a wide spectrum of Christian people, ranging from courses in Christian basics to ministry training courses and degree programs;

  4. To ensure that all courses are Christ-centred, biblically based, ministry-oriented, faith-building, academically sound and positively expressed;

  5. To maintain a balance between the spiritual, the academic and the practical in all courses;

  6. To strive for excellence in all areas, spiritual, academic and practical and, therefore, to be always seeking to improve the courses offered;

  7. To promote unity between churches and de-nominations;

  8. To encourage charismatic renewal and openness to the work of the Holy Spirit in and through the lives of all Christians;

  9. To encourage the exercise of Christian ethical principles.


 WHAT IS TABOR'S MOTTO?

Our motto is: Quality Christian education for effective life and work.


WHAT IS TABOR'S PHILOSOPHY OF MINISTRY?

This can be summarised by the acronym SCAMPS:


HOW IS THE PROGRAM ORGANISED?

Tabor's program is very flexible. Classes are held during the day and in the evening. You can attend at a time to suit you. Short schools are also conducted during semester breaks. There is something for everyone. Regular classes are held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays during the teaching semester, with special intensives being offered during semester breaks. The teaching program has several advantages:


DO I NEED TO STUDY FULL-TIME?

No. Students are welcome to enrol in as few as one module (subject) or as a full-time student (normally 4 or 5 modules). Classes are held at the same time each week through a semester which is usually 14 weeks duration. The timetable changes from year to year. Many modules are held each year though the day and time may change from year to year. For example, where possible a daytime class one year will be run as an evening class the following year to enable those working full time to complete their courses. Some modules are only held alternate years or when numbers permit.
 

 WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF STUDYING AT DEGREE LEVEL?

When you visit a physician, you don't want someone who has only done a short-term three month course. In the ministry, too, thorough training is necessary. A three-year degree lays a strong foundation for ongoing study and ministry. Students studying at degree level may also access government FEE-HELP which allows you to study now and pay later. Click here for more information on FEE-HELP.


 WHAT ABOUT CERTIFICATE AND DIPLOMA COURSES?

Tabor College NSW also offers many Certificate and Diploma courses for everyday Christians who want to be more effective in their knowledge of the Scriptures and their service in the local church.


CAN I STAY IN MY LOCAL CHURCH WHILE I STUDY?

In you live in Sydney, you will be encouraged to be an active and loyal member of your home congregation. If you come from outside Sydney, we will help you find a church of your choice where you can worship and serve the Lord. Tabor is committed to help build up local churches in every possible way.


 WHAT FACILITIES ARE THERE?

Tabor's facilities are constantly being developed. Currently they include:


WHO DOES THE TEACHING?

Tabor has a highly qualified faculty who have experience both 'in the workplace trenches and the classroom benches'. All faculty are required to have years of experience in Christian ministry and to have strong academic qualifications as well.


WHAT ARE THE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS?

You need to be a committed Christian and have a satisfactory reference from your minister where possible. Academic requirements vary according to the course concerned. The Handbook has full details. Mature-age students may be admitted on the basis of previous study or experience. MORE


WHAT WILL IT COST?

You can audit a module for as little as $200. Additional fees are payable for credit depending on the level of study chosen. See Fee Schedule. Tabor fees are comparable with those of other Christian colleges and much lower that traditional university fees. Approved students may be able to claim Youth Allowance, Austudy and Abstudy from the government.


 IS FEE-HELP OR HECS AVAILABLE?

Government FEE-HELP is available for Tabor courses studied at Bachelor degree level. The Government does not offer FEE-HELP for VET level courses (Certificate or Diploma level courses). HECS  (The Higher Education Contribution Scheme) was only available through recognised universities. FEE-HELP is similar to HECS but is available to students at private colleges like Tabor. MORE ABOUT FEE-HELP 


WHAT IS DISTINCTIVE ABOUT TABOR?


 WHY SHOULD I CHOOSE TABOR?

FACULTY & STAFF                HOME PAGE