About the Journal

Focus and Scope

The Journal of Contemporary Ministry will act as a place for reporting research and discussing issues related to contemporary ministry, including related theological and biblical questions.

Its goals are to:                

  • Stimulate informed discussion regarding issues faced by contemporary Christian churches and ministries worldwide.
  • Encourage research, including empirical research, into diverse forms and contexts of contemporary ministry and the practical, theological and biblical issues that arise from ministry practice.
  • Enable students and graduates in postgraduate Ministry programs to speak to a wider audience.
  • Build the credibility of Ministry as a field of study and research.

The Journal of Contemporary Ministry will provide a specific forum for post-graduate students in accredited colleges and universities in Australia and other countries, to publish the results of their research.

The Journal of Contemporary Ministry will contain these kinds of material:

  • Scholarly articles on topics related to contemporary ministry. These are subject to “double blind” peer review by two relevant scholars. Usually 4 of these will be included in any issue of the journal.
  • Book reviews on recently-published books in the field of contemporary ministry. These will be subject to review by the book review editor.
  • Student essays from post-graduate students in accredited colleges and universities in Australia and other countries (generally only one of these will be published in any issue, subject to the editor’s discretion).
  • Pastoral reflections of a thoughtful, informed nature about issues related to contemporary ministry grounded in the pastor’s or minister’s own experience (generally only one of these will be published in any issue).
  • Research notes on current research projects in the field.
  • Short summaries of recent doctoral theses in the field of contemporary ministry.

 The material we invite covers such topics as:

  • Results of empirical research into aspects of contemporary Christian ministry, e.g. youth ministry, children’s ministry, pastoral counselling, pastoral leadership, intercultural ministry.
  • Theological and biblical reflection on issues that have arisen from the practices of contemporary Christian churches and ministries, e.g. manifestations of the Spirit, worship styles, leadership culture, interfaith matters, political and social engagement, etc.
  • Underlying theological questions that lie behind Christian ministry issues, e.g. the role of women’s ministry in local churches, ethnic identity, ordination, apostleship.
  • Proposals for new expressions or forms of Christian ministry based on social analysis, e.g. how to reach specific sub-cultures.

Contributors to the peer-reviewed articles need to be post-graduate students or graduates from recognized institutions with at least a masters degree; however, contributions from people in active Christian ministry who do not meet these criteria will be considered on merit at the Editor’s discretion.
Previously published articles, or articles being considered for publication in other journals, will not normally be considered for publication.
No charge is made for publication of material in the Journal

Peer Review Process

The Journal of Contemporary Ministry will feature a 'double blind' peer review of all major articles. Comments may be posted to articles.

Peer review will be carried out by scholars with some expertise in the topic concerned. However, acceptance of any article is at the final discretion of the Editor. Pastoral reflections, student essays, research notes and book reviews will be reviewed by the Editor or a member of the Editorial Team.

Publication Frequency

The Journal of Contemporary Ministry publishes at least one issue per year, but additional issues of special nature or theme are also considered. Each issue will be discrete, ie: material will not be added to an existing issue.

Open Access Policy

This journal provides open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge.

Accordingly there is no charge to access the material in the online issues. Printed versions of issues will attract a charge to cover the printing costs.

Editorial Board

The Editorial Board of the Journal of Contemporary Ministry is comprised of:

  • The Editorial Board of the Journal of Contemporary Ministry is comprised of:

    Rev Dr Peter Carblis -; former principal Tabor NSW, Australia. Member of Morling College Academic Board; a Director of the Australian College of Ministries.

    Rev Prof Mark J. Cartledge - Principal and Professor of Practical Theology, London School of Theology, UK; leading practical theologian and author in this field; Anglican priest.

    Rev Dr Angelo Cettolin - Dean of Faculty, Eastern College Australia, Senior Lecturer Melbourne School of Theology and Eastern College, Ordained Minister Australian Christian Churches, co-lead pastor Reach 21 Church, Port Melbourne.

    Rev Prof Darren Cronshaw - Professor of Practical and Intercultural Theology, Australian College of Ministries (Sydney College of Divinity).

    Dr Trudy Dantis - Director, National Centre for Pastoral Research, Australian Catholic Bishops Conference; CRA Board member and Honorary Research Fellow, University of Divinity.

    Dr Bob Dixon - Foundation Director of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference Pastoral Research Office, Honorary Professor of Australian Catholic University 2010-2020, Honorary Research Fellow, University of Divinity, Member CRA Board 1992-2018.

    Dr Albert Haddad - Professor of Higher Education and the Dean of Academic Programs

    University of Divinity

    Dr Graham Joseph Hill –  State Leader for Baptist Mission Australia (WA) and Associate Professor at Stirling College (University of Divinity)

    Emeritus Professor Philip Hughes- Alphacrucis University College, Honorary Research Fellow of the Christian Research Association, University of Divinity and the National Centre for Pastoral Research.

    Dr David Jakobsen - Associate Professor at Aalborg University, Denmark: Department of Communication and Psychology, working on the philosophy and history of tense-logic.

    Rev Prof Julie Ma – Professor, Missions and Intercultural Studies, Oral Roberts University, USA.

    Rev Dr Cheryl McCallum – Former Principal, Eastern College Australia, Australia.

    Rev Dr Daryl Potts - Program Director and Lecturer in Practical Theology, Alphacrucis College

    Rev. Assoc. Professor Frank Rees - Chair of the Academic Board, University of Divinity, Honorary Research Scholar, University of Divinity.

    Professor Andrew Singleton- Professor of Sociology and Social Research, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong.

    Dr Juhani Tuovinen – Adjunct Professor of Education, Sheridan Institute of Higher Education, Perth.

    Dr Amos Yong - Professor of Theology & Mission , Fuller Theological Seminary

Editorial Team

The Editorial Team of the Journal of Contemporary MInistry is comprised of:

  • Associate Professor Tim Mullen, Editor

  • Ashley Manly, Manager

  • Dr Stephen Parker, Book Review Editor

  • Professor Philip Hughes, Research Notes Editor and CRA representative to the Editorial Board

  • Stephen Reid, CRA

Indexed In

The Journal of Contemporary Ministry is indexed in Informit's Humanities & Social Sciences Collection database.

Journal History

The Journal of Contemporary Ministry was established under the oversight of Harvest Bible College in 2014 and published 4 issues in 2015-2018 as an online open access journal.

Ownership of the journal has now been transferred (2020-) to the Christian Research Association (CRA). The editorial board and editorial team have been reconstituted.

Publication Ethics

Authors and contributors to the Journal are expected to adhere to the highest standards of ethical research and to declare any conflict of interest in their work. All articles based on primary empirical research which involved human participants will be required to show that the research has been approved by an appropriate Human Research Ethics body. The Editor may take steps to check the originality of submissions, including, but not limited to the use of software to check for plagiarism. Cases of suspected misconduct shall be investigated and managed according to the guidelines published by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Any contribution that shows signs of serious misconduct such as plagiarism, citation manipulation and data fabrication or falsification will be refused or deleted (if previously accepted for publication). Such contributors may be refused opportunity to contribute to the Journal in future.

Peer reviewers of articles are expected to declare any conflict of interest (e.g if they are the supervisor, employer or partner of the author). The Editor will make final decisions on all such cases, unless the Editor also has a conflict of interest, when this will be referred to the Editorial Team.

Discussion of articles published in the Journal is invited. Responses to specific articles may be published on the website or in a subsequent Issue of the Journal subject to the usual peer-review process at the discretion of the Editor. Responses that shows vilification or are defamatory or legally actionable will not be published. The Editor will have the right to close down a discussion that has included one or more responses to an original article.

Complaints related to any content in the Journal and appeals against any editorial decision will be dealt with in the first place by the Editorial Team, and if necessary, by the Editorial Board. CRA’s research ethics committee will oversee the decisions of the Editor in relation to ethical issues. However, minor corrections of content published in the Journal will be the responsibility of the Editor.

Revenue sources

The Journal of Contemporary Ministry is owned and funded by the Christian Research Association of Australia (CRA). Revenue sources may include sale of printed editions and limited advertising from publishers, higher education institutions and other journals at the discretion of the Editorial Team. Advertising will not affect editorial decisions on content.

Advertising Policy

Advertisements will be considered for publication in the on-line and printed editions of the Journal of Contemporary Ministry under the following conditions.

1. The advertisements are relevant to the scope of the journal, such as about books, colleges and college courses, related to Christian ministry. However, they should not be related to or linked to any peer-reviewed articles. Editorial content will not be compromised by commercial or financial interests, or by any specific arrangements with advertising clients or sponsors.

2. Advertisements which are deceptive, misleading, exaggerated or extravagantly, or in any way could be interpreted to be racist, sexist or sectarian in the sense of excluding some religious groups or traditions in favour of others will not be accepted.

3. The companies or organisations placing advertisements must be clearly indicated in the advertisement together with contact information.

With on-line adverts, companies will not be permitted to use cookies or web beacons to collect information during the website visit. Only general information of access to the journal can be provided by the publisher to the advertiser.

The editor has the responsibility of deciding what advertisements will be accepted but may refer decisions to the board of the Christian Research Association. The editorial team has the responsibility to set rates for advertising.

Archiving

In the event of the Journal ceasing publication, all articles will remain available on the CRA website.