ACRP’s professional body services were designed according to the requirements that the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) and the National Qualifications Framework Act 67 0f 2008 have set for professional bodies. These are:
Defining Professional Designations
Professional designations are developed, awarded and monitored by the professional body and recognised by the profession in general. Another word for “designation” is a “professional category”. ACRP has defined four main levels of designations or professional categories, namely:
- Religious practitioner
- Advanced religious practitioner
- Religious professional, and
- Religious specialist
Read more about affiliation via one of ACRP's Councils.
Note: ACRP does not define designations by using terms churches use for their church offices (such as pastor, bishop, reverend, etc). The reason is that different churches may have different views of what the relationship between an office and a professional body designation should be. For example: some churches may allow a pastor or bishop to be on the practitioner level, while another church may require a pastor or bishop to be on the professional or specialist level. The relationship between professional body designations and a church’s own offices is a matter to be decided by participating churches. The professional body does not interfere with the church’s ruling on this.
Define the Requirements to be awarded the designations
The professional body identifies the training standards (qualifications) or requirements that apply to the different designations.
In short, there are the following routes towards being awarded a designation:
- Direct route – the applicant has the relevant SAQA registered ministry/pastoral counselling qualification as specified in the Rules of Affiliation and Designation policy.
- Alternative route – the applicant does not have the relevant SAQA registered ministry/pastoral counselling qualification as specified in the Rules of Affiliation and Designation policy but has enough years of ministry experience. This application is via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
Read more about the requirements for the four designations registered by ACRP.
Note: RPL into a designation differs from “RPL into a qualification”. “RPL into a qualification” is done by training institutions - in this case the result of a successful RPL process leads to access to higher level studies, or the awarding of credits towards a qualification. “RPL into a designation” is done by professional bodies and leads to the awarding of a designation even if the person does not have the formal qualifications normally required for the designation.
Ensure that the relevant qualifications (training standards) exist
The professional body should ensure that the relevant qualifications exist, and that there are training institutions accredited to present these qualifications. These qualifications should be accepted as qualifications that will lead to the awarding of a designation.
Where qualifications do not exist, the professional body should assist in their development in cooperation with the educational authorities.
Note: ACRP does not interfere with the confessional content of training provided by churches or other ministry institutions. The professional body sets broad guidelines in terms of the occupational profile that teaching and training should lead to, and in terms of good teaching and training practice. Institutions (churches, ministries, training institutions) determine the contents of training in terms of their own confessional position, culture, etc.
Defining General Guidelines on Ethics and Discipline
A professional body provides guidance on professional requirements in terms of good practice, ethical standards and disciplinary practice. This is done in close cooperation with churches and ministries. (Ethical standards as defined by ACRP are described in the Ethical Code and disciplinary processes are described in the Disciplinary Code.
Linked to this is to assist churches and ministries with a route for the public to lodge complaints where affiliates / designated persons registered with the professional body, disobeys the ethical codes or codes of good practice. When complaints are received, steps may be taken according to the disciplinary processes as agreed with church and ministry partners. The relevant processes are as described in the Disciplinary Code.
Note: Where partner churches and ministries do have their internal requirements in terms of good practice, ethical standards and disciplinary practice, these could be accepted by ACRP. Where a church or ministry does not have its own ethical and/or disciplinary code, ACRP may provide the relevant services as a support service to churches or ministries. The ACRP codes of ethics and discipline should be structured in a way that supports existing ethical codes and codes of discipline of churches and ministries (that is, not replacing those of churches and ministries, but strengthening them).
Develop a system of Continued Professional Development (CPD)
A professional body is responsible for introducing Continued Professional Development (CPD) to affiliates, churches and ministries. The purpose of CPD is to ensure that persons in ministry will stay relevant and updated with their knowledge and skills.
Note: Persons who are affiliated with ACRP are required to earn 20 CPD credits every year in order to maintain the status of affiliate (“remain in good standing”).
