Theological and ministry education is for the whole church. The College aims to equip persons for ministry and mission, either as Christians in the world and church or for specified ministries recognised by the Uniting Church in Australia - Ministry of the Word, Deacon, Pastor and Lay Preacher.

In 2007, Parkin-Wesley College came under the direction of a new Leadership Development Council. The mandate of the Council is:

To develop effective leaders of healthy, missional churches throughout the Synod and Presbytery of South Australia, who are
•    Passionate
•    Christ-centred
•    Highly skilled
•    Mission-oriented practitioners

The Leadership Development Council aims for these outcomes: 

1. A shared vision for ministry and leadership development consistent with the missional context of the church in the 21st century in South Australia is articulated and promoted.
2. Members of the church with a heart for mission are encouraged and equipped for their particular calling.
3. Ministers, leaders and faith communities are equipped to encourage members of the church to discern and respond to God’s call to discipleship and ministry; including God’s call to any of the church’s specified ministries.
4. Members of the church are receiving high quality, relevant education and training for lay and ordained ministries within the Uniting Church and for Christian leadership in the wider South Australian community.
5. Ministers and leaders are fully engaged in appropriate continuing education and professional development.
6. A centre for leadership development is established as the primary instrument through which the Leadership Development Council works to achieve these outcomes.
7. The centre for leadership development is recognized by the Assembly as an approved centre for training for ministry (reg. 2.2.18) and provides high quality theological leadership and resources to the church.
8. The responsibilities of a Ministerial Education Board are fulfilled (reg. 2.2.19-27).

In early 2009, Parkin-Wesley College was replaced by a new centre for leadership development. This new college, now know as Uniting College for Leadership & Theology has an expanded faculty, focusing on developing leaders who are missional practitioners for the future church.