Reformed Theology Courses for Ministers, Elders, and Church Members
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semester timetables 2026
In Their Own Words
Course Options: From a Single Evening Class to a Full Reformed Theology Certificate
RTA offers two ways to study Reformed theology: as individual evening courses chosen freely around your own interest and schedule, or as a structured programme leading toward a full Certificate and Licentiate in Reformed Theology. Both paths use the same course material, the same lecturers, and the same GKSA-approved standard.
Single Courses
Most RTA courses cost R2,600 and run for one semester. This fee covers your course material, application, registration, and library access. Choose any course on its own, in any order that interests you: a single evening a week is enough to complete the material at a manageable pace.
The Reformed Church Order
Priced separately at R1,600, this course spans two semesters. It is open to lay members, elders, deacons, and ministers alike, and studies the Church Order of the Reformed Churches in South Africa article by article: how church government is structured, and how to apply it responsibly in congregational life.
The Full Licentiate Pathway
Students working toward ordination or a complete theological formation can follow the full pathway: an eight-course first-year Certificate in Reformed Theology, followed by the Licentiate in Reformed Theology. The full programme is priced at R31,200 and spans five years.
Every course you pass earns a Certificate of Competency, with a transcript that can support recognition in your professional field and count toward CPD points. If you would rather study without formal assessment, a Certificate of Attendance is also available. All courses are delivered as online evening sessions through Ad Fontes, RTA’s learning platform, so you can study without leaving your congregation, your career, or your family.
What You’ll Study: Biblical, Systematic, and Historical Theology in the Reformed Tradition
RTA’s theological training is built on four pillars: it is biblical, faithful to the Reformed confession, informed by the history of the church, and oriented toward ministry. Courses are grouped so you can build understanding in the order that makes sense for you.
Biblical Studies
Introduction to the Old Testament and Introduction to the New Testament give a grounding in all 66 books of Scripture. The Pentateuch and The Four Gospels and Acts study foundational sections in depth. Exegesis and Hermeneutics equip you to interpret Scripture responsibly, and Canon and Textual Criticism traces how the Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic text of the Bible has been transmitted and translated.
Systematic and Confessional Theology
The Three Forms of Unity studies the Belgic Confession, the Heidelberg Catechism, and the Canons of Dort, the confessional foundation of Reformed churches worldwide. The Three Ecumenical Creeds covers the Apostles’, Nicene, and Athanasian Creeds shared across the wider Christian church.
Historical and Reformation Theology
Theology of the Reformation studies the Church Order of the Palatinate and the convictions that shaped Reformed church life from the sixteenth century onward. The History and Theology of the Church in Africa traces nearly two thousand years of church history on the continent, including the founding of the Reformed churches in South Africa.
Practical and Pastoral Theology
The Reformed Church Order, Church Government Systems, and Catechetics prepare you for practical service: leading, teaching, and guiding a congregation. Christ and Worldviews equips you to engage Islam, secularism, and African traditional religion with biblical clarity, and Evangelism looks at the principles of congregational outreach.
Academic Skills for Theological Study
Read Carefully and Write Accurately build the reading comprehension and writing skills theological study and church administration require, including the standards set out in the Church Order for official church documents.
By the end of any of these courses, you will be able to explain the theology you have studied, defend it from Scripture, and apply it directly in your congregation.
Who Studies at RTA and How These Courses Apply to Ministry Life
RTA’s evening courses serve a wide range of students: ministerial candidates preparing for the full ordination track, elders and deacons wanting a deeper grasp of church government, church administrators and scribes responsible for official documents, parents and catechists teaching the next generation, and working professionals, including teachers, counsellors, and legal and social-development practitioners, who want theological grounding alongside their careers.
The training is designed to move you from a faithful but undertrained church member to an equipped servant of your congregation. What you study returns directly to church life: office-bearers apply the Church Order they have studied, catechists teach with the material from Catechetics, and every graduate reads and explains Scripture with more confidence than before.
Demand keeps growing. The Reformed Church Order course alone has grown from thirteen students two years ago to close to a hundred today, drawn from Reformed and Free Reformed congregations across South Africa.
Courses are overseen by the GKSA’s Curriculum Committee and offered by lecturers who hold doctorates or are recognised experts in their field, including Dr Christiaan Jooste (Introduction to the Old Testament), Ds Dirk Meijer (Theology of the Reformation), Dr Malan van Rhyn (New Testament, Exegesis, and Hermeneutics), and Dr Gerard Meijer (The Reformed Church Order). Read more about RTA’s history and governance on the About page.
Frequently Asked Questions About Studying at RTA
Who is this Reformed theology training for?
Ministerial candidates, elders, deacons, church administrators, parents, catechists, and working professionals who want theological training without leaving their congregation or career. No prior theological study is required for the individual courses.
What format do the courses take?
Online evening sessions through Ad Fontes, RTA’s learning platform, so you can study at your own pace without travelling to campus.
How long does each course take?
Most individual courses run one semester. The Reformed Church Order spans two semesters. The full pathway to the Licentiate in Reformed Theology takes about five years.
Do I earn a certificate or credits?
Every course you pass earns a Certificate of Competency and a transcript, which can support CPD recognition in your profession. A Certificate of Attendance is available if you prefer to study without formal assessment.
What do the courses cost?
Most courses cost R2,600. The Reformed Church Order costs R1,600. The full Licentiate in Reformed Theology costs R31,200. Fees include course material, application, registration, and library access.
Do I need any prior theological background to enrol?
No. The individual courses are open to any church member or professional. Ministerial candidates follow an additional formal application process through the GKSA.
How do these courses apply to church and ministry life?
Directly. Church Order and Church Government Systems prepare office-bearers for congregational leadership, Catechetics equips those teaching children and youth, Christ and Worldviews prepares you to engage other faiths, and Evangelism covers principles for congregational outreach.
How do I register?
Choose your course from the list above and register directly through RTA’s online shop. If you’re unsure which course fits, use the Course Finder, or contact [email protected]. General questions not covered here are answered on the main FAQ page.
