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The work of Christian Education at Disciples Home Missions goes back many years. The same is true for the work of Merger Staff* responsible for this service to the church. Christian Education and Faith Formation are siblings in our walk with God, but not identical twins. Institutional practices like Sunday School, Vacation Bible Schools, liturgies, Bible studies, camp songs, corporate prayers, scripture recitation, and even predictable components of worship are all forms of Christian Education that many of us have come to know and value. 

Faith Formation is the intentional development of authentic, relational, vulnerable, communing relationship with God and all God’s creation. Faith Formation is not transactional; it is transcendental. In times of both exceeding joy and deep crisis, our faith formation reveals itself. Often, our faith formation starts with an introduction to some form of Christian Education.  

At DHM, we design resources and experiences for Christian Education and Faith Formation in your congregational, regional, and personal lives. It is our joy and responsibility to grow the capacity of learners and teachers in the Christian Church to strengthen one another spiritually and communally with Jesus as our guide. 

Please help yourself to our many resources and be sure to share them with others.

Resources

2025 Lenten Reflections: Bear Fruit

Topic: Lent · Devotional, Download · Feb 2025

If you need an Ash Wednesday or Palm Sunday Litany, we have one for you. If you need a Love Log for all ages, there's one inside to help us follow Jesus. Take time to pray and reflect with this year's concise resource.

Weightlifters

Topic: Advocacy, BIble Study, Climate Change, Congregational Transformation, Continuing Education, Conversation Guide, Environment, Justice, Lay Leadership, Prayer, Retreat, Spiritual Disciplines, Theological Manna, Week of Laity, Youth Ministry · Curriculum, Devotional, Download, Handout, Toolkit, Video, Workshop · Jan 2025

By: DHM Mission, Advocacy, and Programs Team

This season in our churches, homes, and schools feels heavy, but our collective capacity to strengthen one another and our communities is great. We are an extension of our magnificent Creator--one who emboldens, loves, and heals us toward a world that is unlike empire. The Realm of God moves by the Spirit in all living things, cultivating justice and harmony one precious load of anointing at a time. It is imperative we lift up and carry the power of the Holy Spirit in refreshing ways. Our legions of lay leaders fortify the church for every season, especially those seasons that dare us to follow Jesus. “Weightlifters” provides you with enough development materials for monthly laity training over the next year. Let us lean into intentional conditioning and be well!

2024 Advent Resource: Don’t be Afraid

Topic: Advent, BIble Study, Litany · Devotional, Download · Dec 2024

By: Miseon Choi, David Clifford, James Semmelroth, Darnell Managerrie Winston

DHM is pleased to offer our 2024 resource for the Advent Season. Take time to sit with reflections from our thoughtful writers (Miseon Choi, David Clifford, James Semmelroth, Darnell Managerrie Winston), listen to a few songs, and say a prayer. Blessed Advent!

Theopoetics: Black Women’s Poetic Writing as Spiritual Practice

Topic: Spiritual Disciplines, Theological Manna · Video · Dec 2024

From the Theological Manna Series -- Theopoetics: Black Women's Poetic Writing as Spiritual Practice with Dr. Oluwatomisin Oredein

Prayer, Uncertainty, and Pastoral Care

Topic: Pastoral Care, Prayer, Theological Manna · Video · Dec 2024

From the Theological Manna Series -- Prayer, Uncertainty, and Pastoral Care with Dr. Eunil David Cho

Membership Has Its Privileges: Systems and Equity in the Hebrew Bible

Topic: BIble Study, Theological Manna · Video · Dec 2024

From the Theological Manna Series -- Membership Has Its Privileges: Systems and Equity in the Hebrew Bible with Rev. Kimberly D. Russaw

Killing Church Softly: Generational and Identity Formation

Topic: Congregational Transformation, Continuing Education, Theological Manna · Video · Dec 2024

Death, Dying, and Bereavement

Topic: Continuing Education, Theological Manna · Video · Dec 2024

By: Rev. Monique Crain Spells

Death, Dying, and Bereavement -- A Theological Manna Conversation featuring Dr. Jamie Eaddy and Dr. Dan Moseley; moderated by Rev. Monique Crain Spells

Communal Faith Formation for Today

Topic: Congregational Transformation, Continuing Education, Theological Manna · Video · Dec 2024

Theological Manna Conversation: Communal Faith Formation for Today. A Webinar featuring Dr. William Crowder, Dr. Young Lan Kim, Dr. Kimberly Johnson, Dr. Bill Kincaid, and Dr. Yara Gonzalez-Justiniano

An Intersectional Gospel: Faith that Moves Beyond Comfort

Topic: Advocacy, BIble Study, Continuing Education, Environment, Theological Manna · Video · Dec 2024

Panel Discussion featuring Dr. Amy Lindeman Allen, Dr. Irie L. Session, Rev. Gabriel Lopez, and Rev. Scott Hardin-Nieri; moderated by Rev. Brian Frederick-Gray

Experience

Under the Experience tab you will find Videos and Multimedia productions from/featuring Justice and Advocacy Ministries.

Communal Faith Formation for Today

From the Theological Manna series — Communal Faith Formation for Today is a webinar recording featuring Dr. William Crowder, Dr. Young Lan Kim, Dr. Kimberly Johnson, Dr. Bill Kincaid, and Dr. Yara Gonzalez-Justiniano; moderated by Rev. Monique Crain Spells

The Theological Manna Series

Theopoetics: Black Women’s Poetic Writing as Spiritual Practice

Topic: Spiritual Disciplines, Theological Manna · Video · Dec 2024

From the Theological Manna Series — Theopoetics: Black Women’s Poetic Writing as Spiritual Practice with Dr. Oluwatomisin Oredein

Prayer, Uncertainty, and Pastoral Care

Topic: Pastoral Care, Prayer, Theological Manna · Video · Dec 2024

From the Theological Manna Series — Prayer, Uncertainty, and Pastoral Care with Dr. Eunil David Cho

Membership Has Its Privileges: Systems and Equity in the Hebrew Bible

Topic: BIble Study, Theological Manna · Video · Dec 2024

From the Theological Manna Series — Membership Has Its Privileges: Systems and Equity in the Hebrew Bible with Rev. Kimberly D. Russaw

Killing Church Softly: Generational and Identity Formation

Topic: Congregational Transformation, Continuing Education, Theological Manna · Video · Dec 2024

Death, Dying, and Bereavement

Topic: Continuing Education, Theological Manna · Video · Dec 2024

By: Rev. Monique Crain Spells

Death, Dying, and Bereavement — A Theological Manna Conversation featuring Dr. Jamie Eaddy and Dr. Dan Moseley; moderated by Rev. Monique Crain Spells

An Intersectional Gospel: Faith that Moves Beyond Comfort

Topic: Advocacy, BIble Study, Continuing Education, Environment, Theological Manna · Video · Dec 2024

Panel Discussion featuring Dr. Amy Lindeman Allen, Dr. Irie L. Session, Rev. Gabriel Lopez, and Rev. Scott Hardin-Nieri; moderated by Rev. Brian Frederick-Gray

Engage

Under the Engage tab you’ll find a full list of Upcoming and Past Events from Christian Education & Faith Formation.

Past Events

Thursdays in Black Summit Day 1

Date: November 13, 2024 1:00 pm – November 13, 2024 2:30 pm (Eastern)

Location: Online Via Zoom

Organizer: Disciples and UCC Thursdays in Black Team

Program: Christian Education & Faith Formation, Disciples Men, Disciples Women’s Ministries, Justice & Advocacy

Thursdays in Black Summit Day 2

Date: November 20, 2024 1:00 pm – November 20, 2024 2:30 pm (Eastern)

Location: Online Via Zoom

Organizer: Disciples and UCC Thursdays in Black Team

Program: Christian Education & Faith Formation, Disciples Men, Disciples Women’s Ministries, Justice & Advocacy

Black Ministers Retreat 2025

Date: March 11, 2025 12:00 am – March 13, 2025 12:00 am (Eastern)

Location: Charleston, SC

Organizer: Disciples Home Missions

Program: Christian Education & Faith Formation, Congregational Vitality and Innovation