Disciples Seminary Foundation

08/27/2026

08/26/2026

This week in the DSF newsletter, meet Aaron Whitesell, an M.Div. student at Claremont School of Theology whose journey of faith has taught him that it’s okay not to have everything figured out.

Also in this week's newsletter:
✨ Celebrate 60 years of ministry at East Whittier Christian Church/Iglesia Cristiana del Este de Whittier
✨ Join the celebration honoring the ministry and legacy of Rev. Dr. Jo Ann Bynum
✨ Free training opportunities for seminarians through Disciples Home Missions
✨ Mission & Ministry Grants from the National Benevolent Association
✨ Registration for the DSF Collective course The Church at Work: Worship, Preaching, and Pastoral Care

Read this week's newsletter and get to know Aaron as he continues learning, growing, and discerning how to faithfully walk alongside others. 💙

https://mailchi.mp/dsf.edu/august-26-2026

08/21/2026

Registration is now open for the DSF Collective course The Church at Work: Worship, Preaching, and Pastoral Care! This enriching course explores how the church proclaims the good news through worship, preaching, teaching, and compassionate pastoral care. Participants will deepen their understanding of sermon preparation, worship planning, storytelling, and pastoral leadership while learning to lead meaningful moments in the life of the church — including baptisms, weddings, funerals, and other significant occasions — with cultural awareness and theological depth. Whether you are preparing for ministry or seeking to strengthen your leadership, this course offers practical skills that can be immediately applied in congregational life.

This course is part of the DSF Certificate Program: Pastoral Leadership in a Divided World — a one-year, 10-course online program designed to equip lay leaders, emerging ministers, pastors, and lifelong learners with practical ministry skills, theological grounding, and culturally aware leadership formation.

Register now!

dsf.edu/dsf-collective

Why pursue the DSF Certificate Program?

This course is part of the DSF Certificate Program: Pastoral Leadership in a Divided World — a one-year, 10-course online program built for lay leaders, emerging ministers, and pastors who want theological depth and practical tools for ministry in today's world. Here's what makes it a transformative investment:

Flexible, accessible learning — Study from anywhere with a three-week guided format plus a monthly Zoom conversation.

Comprehensive formation — 10 courses covering scripture, theology, church history, preaching, pastoral care, stewardship, ethics, and more.

Earn a certificate or CEUs — Complete all 10 courses for a Certificate in Pastoral Leadership, or take individual courses for Continuing Education Units.

Affordable — Individual courses are $300; the full Certificate Program is $3,000. Scholarships are available.

Whether you're discerning a call, deepening your ministry, or seeking renewal, the DSF Certificate Program meets you where you are. You can enter at any point in the year — and August is the perfect time to start.

Learn more about the Certificate Program | Questions? Email [email protected]

08/20/2026

We’re proud to share the latest episode of DEBA at the Table, featuring our Executive Director, Rev. Dr. Christy Newton!

In this episode, Christy explores how we can better support ministry leaders throughout their entire calling, from seminary and beyond. She reflects on the importance of belonging, financial wellness, and community in helping ministry leaders thrive and reminds us that supporting those called to ministry means walking alongside them for the long journey.

We’re grateful to the Pension Fund for creating space for this important conversation and for highlighting the work of supporting ministry leaders at every stage of their vocation.

Give it a listen and hear from Christy about what it means to create a stronger culture of care and support for ministry leaders!

https://pensionfund.org/resources/videos-and-webinars/deba-at-the-table-episode-5-rev-dr-christy-newton

08/19/2026

This week in the DSF newsletter, meet Cassidy Anderson, an M.Div. student at Claremont School of Theology whose journey through seminary has been one of deconstruction, healing, rediscovery, and renewed calling.

After a difficult season of transition from the church where she grew up and served, Cassidy entered seminary to discern what might come next. Along the way, she has been rediscovering what she is passionate about, including finding new ways to understand Scripture, church, and faith that honor and uplift marginalized communities and create space for spiritual wondering and exploration.

Also in this week's newsletter:
✨ A celebration honoring the ministry and legacy of Rev. Dr. Jo Ann Bynum
✨ A new episode of DEBA at the Table featuring DSF Executive Director Rev. Dr. Christy Newton
✨ Registration for the DSF Collective course The Church at Work: Worship, Preaching, and Pastoral Care
✨ Opportunities to support emerging theological leaders through DSF

Read this week's newsletter and get to know Cassidy as she continues to ask faithful questions, explore new possibilities, and discern where God is leading her next. 💙

https://mailchi.mp/dsf.edu/august-19-2026

08/18/2026

On Saturday, September 19, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., the African American churches, ministries, leaders, and others within the PSWR will gather in joyful fellowship to give thanks and honor God and the extraordinary ministry and legacy of Rev. Dr. Jo Ann Bynum.

This celebratory reception with program is being held at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, in the Sierra Room, 18000 Park Plaza Drive, Cerritos, CA 90703. Together, we will gather in thanksgiving, joyful fellowship, sacred reflection, and prophetic witness as we honor Rev. Dr. Bynum’s many years of faithful and compassionate advocacy on behalf of African American ministries, leaders, congregations, DSF (she served as Director of Student Life from 2012-2020), and others throughout the Pacific Southwest Region and beyond.

While it is free, those who wish to attend should use this RSVP link for planning purposes.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdK2rgyUZsQv5BFEesyoDhsfM-e5pgR_r0ul84toGX7I5oBtQ/viewform

08/15/2026

The Proclamation Project is pleased to be offering grants of up to $500 to support preachers serving in bivocational contexts. If you preach regularly and are additionally employed outside of your ministry context, you qualify! Previous grantees from before 2026 are eligible and encouraged to apply again. Apply here: https://disciplespreaching.org/grants/

08/14/2026

Rev. Carol Devine appeared on The Many Shades of Green Podcast where she shares about the Disciples and highlights a new FREE film series from Blessed Tomorrow titled “Caring for the Earth: Stories from Faith Communities!” https://www.spreaker.com/episode/caring-for-the-earth-stories-from-faith-communities-w-reverend-carol-devine-and-dayna-reggero--72902468?fbclid=IwY2xjawTB8JdleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETJoNWFWUVFkWGFiMVpxOHAzc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHpfLldLkD--jZOnP7SIO

08/13/2026

The Topic for Education, Discussion, and Prayer (TEDP) report on Economic Justice from General Assembly 2026 is now available. Two educational opportunities and small-group conversations invited Disciples to reflect on how our movement is responding to economic justice and how God’s surpassing love is moving among us. This report recaps those conversations and the insights shared by participants online and at local gathering sites. Read more here: https://disciples.org/topic-for-education-discussion-and-prayer-tedp-report/

08/12/2026

This week’s DSF newsletter features the story of Katrina Sidener, a DSF student at Fuller Theological Seminary and NextGen Pastor at Longview First Christian Church in Washington.

Katrina’s journey from early childhood education to vocational ministry is a beautiful reminder that God’s call doesn’t always look like the plans we make for ourselves. Her story is one of listening, holding plans with open hands, and discovering that sometimes a church doesn’t just become a place we worship, it becomes a place that feels like home.

As she continues her seminary journey, Katrina is passionate about children, youth, families, social justice, and creating communities where everyone can experience God’s love, grace, and belonging.

Also in this week’s newsletter:
✨ Save the date for Disciples Mission Fund Week
✨ A new General Assembly report on economic justice
✨ A new free film series on faith communities and caring for creation
✨ Grants for preachers serving in bivocational contexts
✨ Registration for The Church at Work: Worship, Preaching, and Pastoral Care

Read this week’s newsletter and meet Katrina as she continues discerning where God is leading her next.

https://mailchi.mp/dsf.edu/august-12-2026