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Interim Ministry Basics Fall 2025

Jul 7, 2025
The Interim Ministry Basics training, offered by Disciples Interims, helps students develop a foundational understanding of interim ministry. It equips participants with the basic tools necessary to lead congregations through transitional periods, including their search for their next settled pastor, with wisdom, empathy, and vision.

Interim Ministry Basics Fall 2025

by Brian Frederick-Gray

The Interim Ministry Basics training, offered by Disciples Interims, helps students develop a foundational understanding of interim ministry.

It equips participants with the basic tools necessary to lead congregations through transitional periods, including their search for their next settled pastor, with wisdom, empathy, and vision.

Family Systems Theory: Connecting the Pieces – Leadership and Systems Wisdom

Apr 21, 2025
Family Systems Theory - Summer 2025. This interactive and immersive course introduces ministers to Family Systems Theory (Bowen), inviting deep personal reflection and bold self-leadership. Participants will explore how vulnerability and curiosity lead to transformation—not just in their ministry contexts, but in themselves.

Family Systems Theory: Connecting the Pieces – Leadership and Systems Wisdom

by Scott Woolridge

January 6 to March 3, 2026

Offered by Disciples Interims

Course Description

This interactive and immersive course introduces ministers to Family Systems Theory (Bowen), inviting deep personal reflection and bold self-leadership. Participants will explore how vulnerability and curiosity lead to transformation—not just in their ministry contexts, but in themselves.

You will gain:

✅ A strong foundation in the Eight Concepts of Bowen Theory

✅ Insights into your family of origin through genogram work

✅ Tools to observe and lead in anxious ministry systems

✅ A supportive community for peer consultation and coaching

✅ Clarity in how vulnerability becomes a strength in leadership

Course Details:

📍 COURSE DATES and TIMES: Tuesdays June 17 – August 12, 2025
- 7:00 – 9:00pm Eastern
(We will not offer a class session on Tuesday, July 15 during General Assembly)

📍 FORMAT: Online, interactive sessions – via Zoom and our learning platform –
Disciples Leadership Network

📍 FACULTY: Rev. Donald Chase, Rev. David McVey, Rev. Dale Matherly


📍 Cost is $600.00

💬 LEARN MORE / REGISTER:

Rev. Scott Woolridge,

swoolridge@dhm.disciples.org

Why It matters:

When leaders grow in self-awareness, they become less reactive, more present, and more effective. This course supports ministers in reclaiming clarity, purpose, and resilience.

Tag line:

🌀 “It’s an inside job. 
Change begins with you!”

Interim Ministry Basics – Fall 2025

Apr 21, 2025
Are you looking for a new adventure ministry? Want to serve a congregation that is between settled pastors and help them effect positive change? Bring your gifts and develop your skills for this adventure in specialized ministry!

Interim Ministry Basics – Fall 2025

by Brian Frederick-Gray

Are you looking for a new adventure in ministry?

Our Interim Ministry Basics course is being offered twice in 2025!

We’ve trained almost 200 students in the last few years. Their response to the class has been great!

And there are changes in the new year. We are planning 8 two-hour sessions.

We’re offering a new, revised curriculum with updated resources. This new offering is interactive and collegial and practical.

Here is the course description and syllabus

Topics to be covered include – 

  • What is interim ministry? And how is it different from settled ministry?
  • What gifts and skills are needed for interim ministry? What tools are needed?
  • What are the issues congregations need to talk about during the interim time?
  • What insights from Family Systems Theory can enhance our ministry together?
  • What is the role of the Transition Team?
  • How do we lead a meaningful experience in spiritual discernment/visioning?
  • How do we handle issues of change? And of conflict?
  • How do we “take these lessons home with us?” Practical application

The course will be offered on Mondays from September 8 through October 27, 7:00 – 9:00 pm Eastern Time. There will be an orientation session offered on September 7.

Who should take the training?

Ministers in any age and stage of their career, pulpit supply ministers, retired ministers who want to return to ministry, therapists/counselors/social workers who want to use their gifts and skills in a congregational setting, laity interested in becoming a commissioned minister

What is involved? Will there be homework?

The class meets on Monday nights from 7:00 – 9:00 pm Eastern Time with an optional after-session each week. There will be readings, videos and conversations each week in preparation for class sessions. There will also be a course project to help provide practical application of the concepts covered in the course.

What outcomes should I expect?

Students who complete the class will have a knowledge of interim ministry, how to have a strong start, gather a Transition Team, lead crucial conversations. Congregations led by interim ministers have the opportunity to become more healthy and more vital with a clearer vision of their next chapter together with a new settled pastor.

How much does it cost?

The 8 sessions will cost $600. Many Regional ministers are willing to share in the cost if the student offers to serve in an interim setting in the future.

Email us at DisciplesInterims@gmail.com for more information and an application link.

Disciples Justice Ministries Immigration Webinar

Feb 19, 2025
Watch Video Excerpts from the 2025 Disciples Justice Ministries Immigration Webinar (featuring Disciples Immigration Legal Counsel Jonelle Ocloo).

Disciples Justice Ministries Immigration Webinar

by Brian Frederick-Gray

Original Description for the Event

Disciples Justice Ministries is hosting an Immigration Webinar on Tuesday February 25, 2025 at 3PM ET that is free of charge and open to the public. 

In this 90-minute session we will address needs and questions from congregations about changes in the US immigration system and ways that we can faithfully engage these pressing issues. We’ll hear from Disciples Immigration Legal Counsel Jonelle Ocloo and other faith and justice leaders.

Videos from the Event

Disciples Women’s Ministries Orientation Presentation

Feb 19, 2025
Since 1874, Disciples Women’s Ministries have worked to grow awareness of the need for women’s missions and ministry worldwide. This resource provides pertinent information about the history of the Disciples Women’s Ministries.

Disciples Women’s Ministries Orientation Presentation

by Regenia Smith

Since 1874, Disciples Women’s Ministries have worked to grow awareness of the need for women’s missions and ministry worldwide. This resource provides pertinent information about the history of the Disciples Women’s Ministries.

Eco Story Circle Series: Exploring gratitude and grief in these times

Jan 30, 2025
March 6th – April 17th  Thursdays, 12-1:15 pm ET Register Here. https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/registration-form/?formId=d973b2c1-98bf-4272-893d-a530ca6fd512&envId=p-2Xj0BlI5rEm8MRVgKSYv6w&zone=usa Led by Rev. Scott Hardin-Nieri and therapists Connie Burns and Sydne Stone. This 7-week Lenten learning experience is designed by therapists, pastors and chaplains. Together, we will explore emotional and spiritual responses and share stories in the face of current ecological and social […]

Eco Story Circle Series: Exploring gratitude and grief in these times

by Scott Hardin-Nieri

March 6th – April 17th 

Thursdays, 12-1:15 pm ET

Register Here. https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/registration-form/?formId=d973b2c1-98bf-4272-893d-a530ca6fd512&envId=p-2Xj0BlI5rEm8MRVgKSYv6w&zone=usa

Led by Rev. Scott Hardin-Nieri and therapists Connie Burns and Sydne Stone.

This 7-week Lenten learning experience is designed by therapists, pastors and chaplains. Together, we will explore emotional and spiritual responses and share stories in the face of current ecological and social challenges. Responses like grief and sorrow, anxiety and fear, guilt and shame, anger, and despair are normal responses in unprecedented times. This course is designed to offer mutual support, healing, insight, and compassion, not a therapy experience. *Registration Fee = $20 *Scholarships available, Email Shardinnieri@gmail.com

Past participants expressed profound gratitude for being among people who could talk honestly about grief, suffering, and the ecological and social challenges of our time.

The movement of these 7-weeks together will include the following:

1. Introductions/Orientation

2. Sorrow/Grief

3. Anger

4. Fear/anxiety

5. Shame/Guilt

6. Despair/Hopelessness

7. Integration and wholeness

A Guide for Employers: What to Do if Immigration Comes to Your Workplace

Jan 15, 2025
This guide, developed in collaboration between the National Immigrant Law Center (NILC) and the National Employment Law Project (NELP), provides practical advice for addressing immigration-related actions in the workplace. It is available in multiple languages, including Chinese, Korean, Spanish, and Thai.

A Guide for Employers: What to Do if Immigration Comes to Your Workplace

by Brian Frederick-Gray

This guide, developed in collaboration between the National Immigrant Law Center (NILC) and the National Employment Law Project (NELP), provides practical advice for addressing immigration-related actions in the workplace. It is available in multiple languages, including Chinese, Korean, Spanish, and Thai.

CW&W Storytelling Training in Albuquerque, NM

Jan 2, 2025
CW&W is a faith-formation, worship-centered approach rooted in storytelling, ritual, and fellowship that is used with children in churches to help them deepen their relationship with God. Children Worship & Wonder can be used during the congregations worship service or during Sunday School.

CW&W Storytelling Training in Albuquerque, NM

by Brian Frederick-Gray

Date: January 24-25, 2025

Time: 6p – 9p on Friday and 9a – 5p on Saturday 

Location: Monte Vista Christian Church 3501 Campus Blvd. Northeast Albuquerque, NM 87106 

Cost: $120/person

Register here

Contact Elaine Austin for more information!