PSWR Disciples,
May the peace of God be with you.
8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was going to receive as an inheritance. He went out without knowing where he was going. – Hebrews 11:8 CEB
Recently, we have experienced the retirements of some of our beloved, gifted, and talented PSWR Disciples Clergy (Rev. Nancy Brink, Rev. Dr. Julie Roberts-Fronk, and Rev. Michael Fronk). In each of their celebrations, I heard stories from those who witnessed the impacts they have had on the lives of so many. Also, there were moments that recounted how the church, camp programs, and those saints (family, friends, or mentors) were vital to helping them hear/deepen their sense of call to ministry.
One of the favorite parts of my current ministry is meeting with PSWR Disciples who are sent by their pastors, congregations, and/or their saints to discuss their sense of call to ministry. These times can serve as their initial interview before they are recommended for undergraduate or graduate education and before they meet our Committee on Ministry. When someone arrives, our Regional Staff is amazing at extending care by offering snacks and a cold or hot beverage. I don’t know if you might remember your own initial interview experiences. Were these moments of great anxiety, clarity, triumph, and/or disappointment?
In the gospels, we find several accounts of a rich man’s encounter with Jesus, who asked what he must do to inherit eternal life, and these accounts ended in disappointment when the rich man counted the cost. To set you at ease, as a matter of practice/conviction, I understand that the last word on someone’s sense of calling is with them, the author/pioneer of that faith (Heb 12:2), and, most times, with their church or surrounding community. I/we work hard so that few leave our office disappointed. I/we receive each person with grace and will make them aware that the breadth of ministry is not always as it seems; it requires times of great commitment, study, and praxis (experience). Too, it can come with seasons of great changes, many blessings, and times of challenge or troubles.
I wonder how you would have interviewed Abraham? We are grateful for the obedience of his willingness to follow a call “to go out to a place that he was going to receive as an inheritance. (Even)…without knowing where he was going.” (Heb 11:8 CEB). Everyone who is called will not become recognized as the father of the faith (Rom. 4:16 CEB). Too, they will not immediately know where their sense of call might lead. I hope you will join me on this road, helping others to see themselves as the next beloved, gifted, and talented ministers to lead our churches. Let us help them to listen to their sense of call to serve, lead, and help foster the common good. It is Jesus who reminds the Disciples, you, and I, that “the harvest is bigger than you (we) can imagine, but there are few workers. Therefore, plead with the Lord of the harvest to send out workers for his harvest.” (Luke 10:2 CEB) It starts with our invitation and the support of others in their own call. I pray that we might look more intently around, finding and helping to commission our next era of faithful Disciples, leaders, and Clergy.
As I travel the region, I often wish you could journey with me and see what I see across our regional territory. Here are some photos highlighting a place or two where I have been and can witness the amazing ministry happening.
On April 12 - 15, 2026, I traveled to attend the General Board meeting of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ in the United States and Canada), held at Geist Christian Church in Indianapolis, Indiana. Pictured below is its opening (our very own Bill Bailey – member of FCC, Fullerton serves as Parliamentarian). Rev. Brandon Johnson, Senior Pastor, FCC – Burbank (with vote – not pictured), and I serve (ex officio with other Regional Ministers) on the General Board. The State of the Church (General Board) with our General Minister and President, Rev. Terri Hord-Owens, can be found here.
Also, glad for the opportunity to connect at meetings with a few colleagues (2nd photo: Rev. Lori Tapia, Rev. Andy Mangum, and Rev. Jay Hartley).
On April 21, 2026, a team representing our faithful from Disciples Seminary Foundation and PSWR Disciples supports a prayer vigil for those facing injustice. This has remained a weekly action on behalf of the “Godmothers of the Disappeared” in Los Angeles, CA.
On April 23 – 25, 2026, I traveled to attend the Christian Church in Georgia Regional Assembly and Regional Minister installation held at Ray of Hope Christian Church in Decatur, GA. Enjoyed attending a Pre-Assembly Clergy Workshop on Self-Care led by one of our PSWR Disciples Clergy, Rev. Kinsie M. Tate, LPCC (3rd picture below). Follow this link for more information about her ministry.
On May 17, members of the PSWR Staff and I attended the final worship service of Rev. Dr. Julie Roberts-Frank and Rev. Michael Fronk as Pastors of First Christian Church, Pomona. It was followed by a beautiful retirement celebration, which included their closest family and friends. Pictured below is their presiding at the table and a quilt with memories of their ministry leading the congregation.
On May 18, 2026, I had joined Chapman University Faculty, Students and Staff at Fish Interfaith Center to celebrate the retirement of our beloved Rev. Nancy Brink, among so much to recount and honor, the University lifted up her service, joining Chapman in January 2009 as Director of Church Relations — a role she held for nearly 15 years before becoming Executive Director of the Fish Interfaith Center in late 2023. (A gifted and talented Christian Church – Disciples of Christ) ordained minister with a Master of Divinity from Vanderbilt University, Nancy brought to Chapman a depth of pastoral care and spiritual wisdom shaped by 30 years of parish ministry.
Also, she was recently recognized as a Dedicated Disciple by the Office of General Minister and President.
On May 22, I attended the Chapman University Commencement ceremonies (pictured below with the Christian Church Disciples of Christ Regional Minister, Rev. Dr. Lataunya Bynum).
On May 28, 2026, I was glad to attend the Southern California Nevada Conference of the United Church of Christ Clergy Retreat at the Lines Hotel in Los Angeles, CA. The celebration of their Annual Gathering was held at First Congregational Church in Los Angeles, CA.
Pray Continually. Speak Out on behalf of the Voiceless. Do the difficult work of the common good. Be gentle to yourself and to all people.
Blessings,
Richie