Please find below a series of frequently asked questions in relation to Accreditation.
Who has to do PPS?
Any locally appointed or ordained pastoral leader currently ministering in a Victorian Baptist ministry setting is
required to be accredited through the Baptist Union of Victoria and undertake PPS as part of the BUV accreditation
requirements.
A pastoral leader refers to a person recognised as a Pastor by others within a particular community for advancing the
kingdom of God and the building up of the church (Eph 4: 11-13)
How much does PPS cost?
The BUV has specified a recommended fee range for PPS ranging from $120-$150 per session depending on the level
of experience of the Professional Pastoral Supervisor. Fees are determined by negotiation with the Professional
Pastoral Supervisor and the Supervisee at the initial meeting.
Who should pay for this?
The BUV recommends that the cost of Professional Pastoral Supervision is provided for in the annual church budget
under the pastoral support section of pastors training and development budget.
Recommendations regarding this are found in the document Guidelines for Healthy Church Pastor Relationship in
section 4.6 on BUV website (under Pastors Resources).
If your church cannot pay or will not, we encourage you to talk to your Regional Pastor
Does one group Professional Pastoral Supervision session with a BUV Recognised Professional Pastoral Supervisor count as one session towards my accreditation requirements for PPS?
Yes.
What if I am a pastoral leader who works only one day per week, am I still required to have PPS?
Yes. The definition of a pastoral leader does not differentiate between how many hours are worked per week.
What if I am a pastor but not being paid, am I still required to have PPS
Yes. The definition of a pastoral leader does not differentiate between paid or volunteer roles.
What if I am over 65 and still in pastoral leadership, am I still required to have PPS?
Yes. The definition of a pastoral leader does not specify age groups.
What if I am a pastoral leader who speaks a language other than English, will I be able to have PPS in my language?
We are seeking to increase the number of Professional Pastoral Supervisors so that there is a Professional Pastoral
Supervisor available in each of the most common languages of our union of churches. However, in the meantime,
please begin with an English-speaking PPS and if necessary, bring a person who can translate to your session.
Do I have to meet my Professional Pastoral Supervisor in person?
Most Professional Pastoral Supervisors can meet online over Zoom/Teams, which means you can have a PPS from
anywhere in Australia.
Can I use a Professional Pastoral Supervisor who is not a Baptist?
Yes, as long as they have been approved by the BUV and are e a BUV Recognised Professional Pastoral Supervisor
What are the requirements for a BUV Recognised Professional Pastoral Supervisor?
- Completed a Graduate Certificate, Diploma or Masters in Professional Pastoral Supervision.
- Completed a Bachelor of Theology or Ministry or equivalent (e.g. undergraduate degree in Counselling,
Psychotherapy, Psychology, Social Work, Social Science or equivalent) - At least five years of pastoral ministry experience (might include churches, counselling, or community
services) - Are currently being supervised by a Professional Pastoral Supervisor
- Is a member of Australasian Association of Supervision (AAOS)
- Have an insurance policy which covers the practice as a Professional Pastoral Supervisor
- Agree to provide non identifiable feedback regarding the broad topics discussed in each session.
- Have read the BUV Code of Ethics and agree to encourage pastors to practice their ministry within the
requirements of the Code of Ethics - Be part of a Christian community of faith
What if my supervisor is not on the list of BUV Recognised Professional Pastoral Supervisors?
Your Supervisor will need to complete this form to apply to be recognised by the BUV as a Professional Pastoral
Supervisor.
How do I know if my current PPS “has a degree of independence from the institution”?
A Professional Pastoral Supervisor must not supervise those that they have direct oversight of. This ensures the
Professional Pastoral Supervisor is able to offer independent supervision.
The Professional Pastoral Supervisor must not be the Pastor of a supervisee or report to the supervisee. This would
compromise the Professional Pastoral Supervisor’s dependence. There is a degree of independence when a
Professional Pastoral Supervisor is in another Victorian Baptist Church and is fulfilling the professional requirements
of supervision.
What if my current supervisor doesn’t have the required qualifications?
Supervisors who do not meet the required qualification for PPS cannot offer PPS to Victorian Baptist pastoral leaders.
What if my church leadership does not think PPS is necessary?
Regional Pastors are available to meet with your leadership team explaining the requirements of PPS for all pastoral
leaders.
What if I refuse to have Professional Pastoral Supervision?
If for any reason you do not wish to continue with the requirements of accreditation, and / or undertake PPS, please
contact your Regional Pastor for initial discussion.