Preparation for Ministry in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Iliff has entered into a partnership with the Disciples Seminary Foundation (DSF) (www.dsf.edu), headquartered in Claremont, California. This partnership provides significant resources to students preparing for various kinds of ministry within the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), including ordained, commissioned, and lay roles. These resources include:

• Scholarship assistance for students in any degree program, including the PhD;

• Mentoring and advising from DSF's Director of Pastoral Formation at Iliff (currently Dr. Eric C. Smith);

• Regular opportunities for fellowship and networking through local, regional, and national events, with financial support from DSF;

• Disciples of Christ History and Polity offered as needed through DSF and/or Iliff DOC faculty; and

• Independent studies related to Disciples of Christ issues, offered as needed through the Director of Pastoral Formation.

Each regional body of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) functions differently with regard to ordination, so students will need to familiarize themselves with the procedures and policies of the region with which they wish to be under care. The Director of Pastoral Formation can help with this process. Generic information on preparation for ministry in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) can be found at the website of the General Commission on the Order of Ministry (https://disciples.org/gcom), with specific suggestions available at https://disciples.org/gcom/preparing-for-ministry. Students should begin consultation with the Regional Minister and regional Commission on Ministry as soon as possible. Among the opportunities for fellowship and networking offered by DSF will be conversations with key figures in the Central Rocky Mountain Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), which will be useful even for students who wish to pursue ordination in other regions.

Students from the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) tradition, or from related and allied traditions, who wish to know more about this partnership and its benefits to students are encouraged to contact DSF's Director of Pastoral Formation at Iliff, Dr. Eric C. Smith, at [e-mail].