Christian Church | Pacific Southwest Region

All Licensed and Ordained Ministers in the Pacific Southwest Region are required to meet the minimum standard of 1.5 CEUs (Continuing Education Units) per year to maintain standing in the PSWR, effective January 1, 2006. 1.5 CEUs equals 15 hours of instructional time.  

Ministers can earn CEUs by attending either Regionally sponsored and other religious/spiritual educational opportunities not sponsored by the PSWR. 

To apply for CEU credit for Regionally sponsored events, a CEU credit form will be provided for you at the event and will be stamped by event leaders at the end of the event. The minister is then required to submit this stamped form to the Regional Office for the credit to be applied to their ministerial profile. Submit the form and documentation via email to Michel Johnson at mjohnson@docpswr.org or a copy mailed to the Regional Office. Be sure to keep a copy for your records.

To apply for CEU credit for events not sponsored by the PSWR, download and print the PSWR CEU Form. Complete the form and attach proper proof that you completed the instructional hours. Submit the form and documentation via email to support@disciplespswr.org or a copy mailed to the Regional Office. Be sure to keep a copy for your records.

Upcoming CEU opportunities will often be shared via PSWR E-Shout. Use the form below to sign up to receive these emails. Please scroll down below for a list of upcoming CEU opportunities. You can also check the PSWR Regional Calendar and the “Upcoming Events” page for information on upcoming events.

The General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) will gather in person from July 12th to 15th, 2025, in Memphis, TN. This year’s General Assembly theme: “BEYOND” is based on Ephesians 3:20-21.

Now to the one who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to the power that is at work within us, to them be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen!

PSWR SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Apply for a scholarship to attend the General Assembly by completing this GA 2025 Sponsorship Application. To be eligible, an applicant must be an active member of a PSWR congregation, and committed to leadership within their faith community. Priority will be given to first-time attenders of the General Assembly.

Applicants will be asked to submit a brief personal statement (approx. 300 words) describing their involvement in their congregation and how attending GA 2025 will enhance their leadership journey, and a letter of recommendation from their pastor or a church leader. The application deadline is June 18th, 2025.

Visit the General Assembly website for more info about this event.

BLOOMING TO PLANT: BEYOND THE PERIMETER
PRE-ASSEMBLY CONFERENCE
Date: July 11, 2025 12:30 - 5:30 pm (Eastern Time)

Location: Lindenwood Christian Church
Memphis, Tennessee

Registration is open for our Youth Pastors and Volunteers Pre-Assembly Conference! We look forward to coming together in Memphis to reflect, empower, and plan for connectional ministry with youth.

For questions, contact:
Monique Crain Spells, Vice President for Mission, Advocacy and Programs
Email: mcrainspells dhm.disciples.org
Phone: (317) 713-2675

Managerrie Winston, Coordinator for Ministry with Youth & Young Adults
Email: mwinston dhm.disciples.org
Phone: (317) 713-2641

HISTORY AND POLITY OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST)
August 18-22, 2025 ~ Monday-Friday: 5 - 7PM (PT) | ONLINE

This course surveys the history, polity, theological beliefs, and ethos of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), from its historical beginnings to its contemporary manifestations.  Paying particular attention to the cultural context in which it emerged, we will examine the church’s roots.  And focusing on the ongoing relationship between church and culture, we will examine how the church continues to develop and respond to social, ethical, and theological needs today.  We will explore Disciples church governance and the ways congregational, regional, and general manifestations of the church function and relate to one another.  And we will consider ways our Disciples history, polity, and theological commitments all contribute to the formation of a dynamic Disciples ethos that is expressed practically in the structure and development of church leadership, in the implementation of mission and service, and in performing important church rituals, including communion, baptism, baby dedications, weddings, and funerals.

​The instructor for this course will be Rev. Dr. Christy Newton. Required books to be read before the course begins: Jha, Sandhya.  Room at the Table: Struggle for Unity and Equality in Disciples History.  St. Louis:  Chalice, 2009. Kinnamon, Michael and Jan Linn.  Disciples: Who We Are and What Holds Us Together.  St. Louis: CBP, 2019. 

​​Register here by August 1.​ After you are registered, you will receive information on how to join the online course. The cost of the course is $300 if needed for certification or $150 to receive 1.5 CEU's. ​​If you have any questions, please contact us at slopez@dsf.edu.

SENT SEMINAR
NATIONAL BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION
September 8-19, 2025

Calling all social entrepreneurs and those seeking to strengthen their skills in social enterprise projects, the 2025 SENT Seminar will take place September 8-19, 2025. This year’s theme is “Diversity, Equity, Inclusion: Building Impactful Futures.” Registration will open July 1st. Mark your calendarsand stay tuned for more updates!

MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL CONFERENCE
October 2-4, 2025 | Denver, Colorado

Save the Date! The 2025 NBA Mental Health and Professionals Conference will be held October 2-4, 2025 in Denver, CO. If you are a mental health professional or chaplain working in the field of mental health, or completing a graduate degree in a mental health-related area, you are invited to join us in an opportunity for care, rest, education and connection amongst those who understand your work at the intersection of faith and mental health! Stay tuned for more details on the conference and a link to sign up to attend either in-person or virtually.

Are you interested in providing a workshop or other brief mental health and wellness related facilitation at the conference? Please submit your information no later than April 1st.

LEADERSHIP ACADEMY - EMERGE
Asynchronous Online Course

New Church Ministry is now offering a Leadership Academy course on CHURCHx, an elearning platform built to support mission and ministry. Learn about the DisciplesNEXT framework from the comfort of your own home and at your own pace. This course is ideal for those who work during the week or are bi-vocational. While it provides the same curriculum as those who attended Leadership Academy in person, only the EMERGE track session is currently available. EMERGE participants discern their missional purpose, develop their future stories, and prepare their communities of faith for launch. However, workshops and resources are continuously being added. Access to this course never expires. Learn more

New Church Ministry proudly presents IMPACT, a new webinar series that welcomes you on a captivating journey of storytelling and deep mutual learning. In each episode, host and Minister of New Church Strategies Rev. Dr. Jose Martinez invites guests who have defied conventions and fostered vibrant communities of faith to share their invaluable experiences and personal narratives. By exploring the challenges, triumphs, and transformative moments of these visionary leaders, attendees gain invaluable inspiration and direction for their own ventures. 

This dynamic series embraces diversity, welcoming influential leaders from a multitude of faith traditions and backgrounds. From established religious institutions to emerging spiritual movements, IMPACT showcases a broad spectrum of voices and perspectives, ensuring participants have a rich tapestry of insights to draw from. While each of its speakers bring a distinct approach and innovative strategies to the table, equipping participants with a toolkit of ideas to create thriving, inclusive places of worship that resonate with today’s seekers, IMPACT emphasizes the power of storytelling as a catalyst for change. Whether you are an aspirational individual looking to make a difference or a member of an established congregation that is considering revitalizing its mission, IMPACT is your transformative guide. Join us as we delve into the profound potential that storytelling has to shape the future of faith communities worldwide. Together, we can ignite a new era of spiritual vitality and make an enduring impact on the lives of those we serve.

CERTIFICATE IN PASTORAL MINISTRY

Join the conversations that will expose you to new ideas, deepen your commitments, and give insights on how to minister in a changing world. The Center for Ministry and Lay Training's online program allows you to explore your call to ministry or even earn a Certificate in Pastoral Ministry. Click here to apply.

Phillips is the only Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) seminary offering this Certificate in Pastoral Ministry. Since 1906, Phillips has been educating those who serve the church and is pleased to continue the 120-year legacy of the Bible College of Missouri through the Center for Ministry and Lay Training.

As a student, you’ll not only learn from our top-notch faculty, but you’ll also build a network of others engaged in ministry. The Center for Ministry and Lay Training is not designed for those who want to do ministry the way it’s always been done. If you want to make a difference in this changing world, we’ll help you push beyond your comfort zone. Learn more about the program and upcoming course schedule.

Fundamentals of Transitional Ministry training consist of two steps and a small group Fieldwork experience. The first step is Fundamentals of Transitional Ministry: The Work of the Leader (FTML). The second step, Fundamentals of Transitional Ministry: The Work of the Congregation (FTMC) builds on the information and experiences of FTML. The curriculum is designed for experiential learning throughout. Participants read content prior to class so that they are able to use the information to understand specific transition situations as found in sacred stories or in congregational case studies. Even in the virtual world connections and conversation are a vital part of the IMN FTM training.

UN*SILENCE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: BECOMING A SENSITIVE RESPONDER TO THE HIDDEN PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS

Clergy and lay leaders who are passionate about reducing Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence (DV/IPV) can sign up for a 5 hour training facilitated by Courtney Armento. The course is available for a discounted rate of $117 and is self-paced with occasional live sessions with Courtney for Q&A. In the course, you will discover what to say (and what not to say) to those experiencing DV/IVP so that you facilitate spaces of calm in the midst of their storm. You will become equipped to create safe spaces so that you can empower those going through DV/IVP to make conscious choices. With your help, we can turn around the toxic culture of DV/IVP that unfortunately many have experience in churches and reduce -- dare we say eliminate? -- DV/IVP in our communities. Sign up for the course here (CEU credits available)

Several ministries are offering online trainings and webinars for clergy and church leaders. One source is New Church Hacks, offered by New Church Ministry, a ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) that trains, equips, assists and multiplies emerging and affiliating congregations and leaders. New Church Hacks provides clever solutions to tricky problems and empowers courageous leaders with the tools, tips and how-tos to start, sustain and strengthen congregations.

ChurchWest Insurance and their partners are busy developing tools to help your ministries in the weeks and months to come. Please visit their website to browse available webinars. CEU credits will be given based on the length of the webinar session (most sessions average one hour).

The Lombard Mennonite Peace Center provides speakers and education resources for churches of all denominations on biblical peace and justice issues, as well as conflict transformation skills training and training for church leaders grounded in family systems theory. It also provides mediation and consultation services for churches, schools, and other organizations. Please visit their website to browse available webinars and educational opportunities. CEU credits will be given based on the length of the webinar session.

Union Theological Seminary | Progressive theology has long taken shape at Union, where faith and scholarship meet to reimagine the work of justice. Grounded in the Christian tradition and responsive to the needs of God’s creation, a Union education prepares its students for committed lives of service to the church, academy, and society. A Union education develops practices of mind and body that foster intellectual and academic excellence, social justice, and compassionate wisdom. Union forms courageous faith leaders who make a difference wherever they serve. Please visit their website to browse available webinars and educational opportunities. CEU credits will be given based on the length of the webinar session.