Trainings and Events for Ministers
Below is a list of some upcoming trainings and events specifically for Ministers. Click on the links to be directed to more information about each event.
Multiple Options Now Open For Ministry Training Requirements
Fall 2023 and Winter 2024 Courses
The Christian Church in Ohio, through its Commission On Ministry, seeks to ensure that all those in its care maintain the highest level of excellence for the Order of Ministry. One of the ways in which we do this is to require several courses and trainings to enter into ministry, and then to require regular refresher courses to maintain ministerial standing to keep these skills and perspectives fresh.
We require a Disciples History & Polity course for all of those seeking standing in ministry. For those who attend a Disciples of Christ seminary, this course is often easily fulfilled in their seminary’s regular course offerings. But for persons attending non-Disciples seminaries, for clergy seeking to transfer their standing to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), as well as for Commissioned Ministers, it may be more difficult. The Commission seeks to make obtaining this important course easier for everyone.
Additionally, the Commission On Ministry requires that all clergy complete a Pro-Reconciliation/Anti-Racism Course as well as a Clergy Healthy Boundary Course, and that these be updated every five years. We are once again offering here in the Christian Church in Ohio a completely redesigned and called our Pro-Reconciliation/Anti-Racism “Awareness Conversations.” They are held in person/onsite at Camp Christian and we plan to offer them twice a year. We are working towards offering the Clergy Healthy Boundary Course in person/onsite as well.
We are eager to offer more accessible and more frequently available trainings in both of these areas.
From our Pro-Reconciliation/Anti-Racism Commission to the Ohio Commission on Ministry:
In regards to parameters for the Anti-Racism training component of Ministerial Standing, we recommend that individuals attend the PR/AR Commission Awareness Conversation or an equivalent session such as one provided by one of the following entities:
- DOC/UCC Seminaries
- DOC/UCC Regional overview training
- General Ministry offering such as those at General Assembly
If individual has attended a basic training we recommend that a more in depth training on Anti-Racism be accepted.
We also suggest that the Commission on Ministry look at other curriculum submitted for Standing Request and use their best discretion as to whether or not it meets the requirements.
A certificate of completion should be required to be given to Regional Office upon completion of training.
It is the responsibility of each individual to research the requirements and pay for the costs for each program. If there are questions about these options or you have concerns about costs, please reach out to the Commission On Ministry, via Rev. Allen V. Harris, at AHarris@ccinoh.org for more information.
Disciples History & Polity
Phillips Theological Seminary
Basic Disciples History & Polity - October 16-December 10, 2023
Instructor: Rev. Jeff Gill
This course will present an overview of the history and practices of the Stone-Campbell movement as foundational to its current forms of Disciples worship, missions, and ministry: denominationally, ecumenically, and culturally.
This is an online course. The price of the course is $100. Click here to register: https://fs27.formsite.com/PtNxGa/form21/index.html
Lexington Theological Seminary*
October 30, 2023 – December 2, 2023: Course IP570 - Disciples History and Polity I, 1.0 Credit, Professor Barnes
This course is an overview of the history and polity of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) from its beginnings on the American frontier to the present day.
Pro-Reconciliation/Anti-Racism Training
Christian Church in Ohio Awareness Conversation – Saturday, September 30, 2023
Register HERE: /regional-calendar.aspx?events=11099&action=details
Our Christian Church in Ohio Pro-Reconciliation/Anti-Racism Commission is once again offering this training, now completely redesigned and formatted as an Awareness Conversation. It is being held twice a year in person/onsite at Camp Christian in Magnetic Springs, Ohio. This is the preferred training for all Christian Church in Ohio clergy and lay leaders.
This workshop is designed for new and current ministers wishing to gain or maintain standing with the Christian Church in Ohio. United Church of Christ and other Ministers are also welcome to attend for their denominational requirements.
Attendees will gather for a day of conversation to help raise awareness about Pro Reconciliation and Anti-Racism and how each of us can effect change. We will discuss various aspects and experiences of Racism and provide a safe place to start conversations in hopes of moving each of us forward in our Pro- Reconciliation and Anti-Racism Ministry commitment.
Registration and more information will be available soon on the www.CCinOH.org website.
If you have questions or would like more information please contact the Pro-Reconciliation/Anti-Racism Commission Chairs, Rev. Thomas Barnes and Rev. Heather Schimmel at reconciliation@ccinoh.org
This training, which is face-to-face and led by our own Christian Church in Ohio friends and colleagues, is the preferred training to fulfill the requirement. However, because we know that not everyone can make the specific dates for these trainings, we do offer and accept for credit toward fulfillment of the requirement for standing the following online courses:
Lexington Theological Seminary*
March 4-16, 2024
Course #: IB555 An Introduction to Faith Rooted Anti-Racism
Led by: Yvonne Gilmore
This course will provide an introductory survey of faith-rooted approaches to anti-racism, and anti-racist community practices. It will explore practical approaches to resisting racism, and to communication, accountability and listening across difference to create a more just church in a just society through systemic analysis coupled with contextual learning and dynamic interaction. Race, justice, identity formation, power, and intersectionality will be considered alongside tools to address racism, and other forms of oppression to increase equity and meaningful social change.
Crossroads Antiracism Organizing and Training
Crossroads Antiracism Organizing and Training is one of the premier anti-racism training organizations around, and their leadership helped shaped the initial work that the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) did in fulfilling our 2020 Mission Imperative to be a fully anti-racist and pro-reconciling church.
One upcoming online course is being offered:
Wednesday September 6 – Digital Introduction to Antiracism September 6, 9AM - 5PM CENTRAL TIME (ALSO Saturday, October 14; Wednesday, November 5; Friday, December 8)
Wednesday September 20 - In-Person Introduction to Antiracism - Chicago, IL - 9 AM-5 PM CENTRAL TIME
To find out more and to register, go online to: https://crossroadsantiracism.org/register/ (Note: times are all Central Time).
Clergy Healthy Boundary Training
Lexington Theological Seminary* – February 19, 2024 – March 2, 2024
Course #: IB582 Clergy Wellness/Boundaries
Led by: Dr. Yvonne Martinez Thorne
The call to ordained ministry continues to be recognized by many persons to be a blessed and consecrated call. People of all ages, educational backgrounds, employment histories, and socio-cultural and linguistic backgrounds continue to hear and respond to the call to ordained ministry and to para-church and faith-based organizations, social /community agencies, heath care institutions, among others. Yet, many clergy feel unprepared for meeting the myriad of challenges and uncertainty they face as they lead congregations during times heightened by social, cultural, and religious change, and natural disasters. Therefore, the establishment and maintenance of healthy boundaries within diverse ministry contexts become an integral part of cultivating clergy wellness and congregational heath.
This half-credit, two-week online course will help to further equip clergy for pastoral leadership across ministry settings by addressing issues pertaining to boundaries in the Church. The goal of the course is to facilitate authentic and healthy fellowship and communication with God’s people in congregational and denominational life. This course will further equip clergy for pastoral leadership across ministry settings. Students will grow in their identification and development of healthy boundaries in cultivating clergy and congregational wellness. They will also increase their knowledge of boundary violations in ministry that includes sexual misconduct, gender discrimination, and clergy burnout. Finally, students will clarify relevant strategies for self-care in ministry.
Lewis Center for Church Leadership
https://www.churchleadership.com/keeping-our-sacred-trust/
This group offers online training for maintaining healthy boundaries. There are three classes: “Understanding Clergy Sexual Ethics” (the basic class and a prerequisite to the other two), “Maintaining Boundaries in a Digital Age” and “Assuring Financial Integrity.” Each costs $49 and is done online at one’s own pace. Participants receive a certificate when you are finished with all the class work which will need to be shared with the Regional Church Office for your clergy file (ccio@ccinoh.org).
Clergy and ministerial students who have not taken a Clergy Healthy Boundaries course before should register for the “Understanding Clergy Sexual Ethics” course first. For clergy who have already taken the basic course, the “Maintaining Boundaries in a Digital Age” and/or “Assuring Financial Integrity” will be accepted for clergy standing renewal.
School For Ministry (S4M) with the Christian Church in Ohio/Christian Church in Illinois & Wisconsin/Christian Church in Michigan
There are regularly scheduled Pro-Reconciliation/Anti-Racism, Clergy Healthy Boundaries, and Disciples History & Polity that are opened up to all clergy and not just S4M Cohorts
To find out more about School For Ministry Classes including schedules and how to register, contact the Rev. April McClureStewart, Executive Director, at: april@cciwdisciples.org
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Lexington Theological Seminary Info:
*For more detailed information on LTS’s Boundaries, DOC History and Polity and Anti-Racism courses and to register, please go online to:
Here is the schedule: https://lextheo.edu/academics/academic-schedule/
Here are course descriptions: https://lextheo.edu/academics/course-descriptions/
The application link: https://lextheo.mycampus-app.com/app#login/apply
More information about these plus other events, meetings, and important dates can be found on the Regional Calendar.
