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Greetings from CMLT and Phillips Seminary,

If you are like me, you may have looked up from a full calendar and realized it’s already December. This year moved quickly, and yet it held many meaningful moments we were able to share as a community. New students joined us, four completed their studies and joined our alum group, and several alum celebrated ministry milestones, including ordinations. We also had rich opportunities to gather at General Synod, General Assembly, and regional events where we could learn, connect, and support one another.

As we look toward the months ahead, I invite you to take part in the learning and connection that continues to grow through our program. We have classes and continuing education opportunities designed to support ministry in thoughtful, practical ways.

One of our newest offerings is a set of fully asynchronous courses that let you work at your own pace while engaging core topics for ministry today. The first course, led by Bruce Barkhauer, focuses on Stewardship and Financial Literacy for Ministry Leaders. It is designed to help clergy and lay leaders gain clarity and confidence in the financial practices that sustain healthy congregations.

We continue to celebrate the milestones and achievements of our alums, whose work in churches and communities reflects the heart of this program. Their stories remind us that learning is not limited to the classroom, but happens through the ongoing practice of ministry.

If you are thinking about a new step in your formation, or simply want to explore an area that interests you, the new year is a natural time to try something new. You are welcome to join us for a course, a workshop, or a conversation that supports your current work. You’ll find a number of opportunities highlighted in this newsletter.

CMLT is here to prepare and encourage leaders who can serve with wisdom, resilience, and care. Thank you for being part of this community and for the ways you help it thrive. I’m grateful for you.

As we move through this season, I hope you experience hope, joy, peace, and love, along with moments of rest and renewal for yourself and those you serve. From all of us at CMLT, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and blessings for the year ahead.

Sincerely,

Leslie LeSieur

Senior Director

Phillips Center for Ministry and Lay Training

leslie.lesieur@ptstulsa.edu

918.270.6471

Celebrating Recent Ordinations in the CMLT Community

CMLT is pleased to have been part of the journey toward ordination for so many students. We invite you to join us in celebrating those who have recently been ordained, with more celebrations still ahead.

Starting with the top row, we honor John Harwell, Russ and Theresa Hamilton, and Cody DeMint. The second row features Randy Robb and Eric Holmes. The third row includes John DeLaporte, Terry Overfelt, and Mandy Tarpening.

We give thanks for their ministries and the communities they serve.

Donate Today!

As we move through this season of gratitude, we would like to extend our thanks to all who have already given to support CMLT. Your gift—matched dollar for dollar through a generous donation match opportunity—helps emerging leaders discover their calls to ministry through our CMLT courses.

If you haven’t given yet, we invite you to join us; every dollar brings us closer to unlocking the full $10,000 match and doubling the impact for future pastors, chaplains, elders, and lay leaders. Thank you for strengthening the whole church through your generosity.

Phillips Annual

Advent Devotional

Available for Download

Phillips Theological Seminary’s 2025 Advent Devotional is now available. The devotion will also be available in many formats. The devotions are personally written by Phillips community members in an effort to provide an enriching resource for the Advent season. It is our desire at Phillips that you prepare for this holy season with us.

We hope that you will use the devotional in your ministry by using it as a church-wide resource, encouraging families to use if for personal devotion during this time, and/or pull on it as a resource for sermons and Sunday school.

The devotional is now available to download, share and print from the Phillips website for your church to use. The daily devotions will also be available on social media and available as a daily podcast starting.

You may listen to the daily podcasts on your favorite podcast player, including: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music.

Thank you for taking this journey with Phillips. We do hope this is a valuable resource for you and your congregation.

Registration Now Open for

Jan. 14–15, 2026

In Our Image: Reimagining

Accessibility and Hospitality for All

Join us in January for Phillips Theological Seminary's annual gathering exploring what it means to build truly welcoming faith communities where everyone belongs.

We're honored to welcome keynote speaker the Rev. Dr. Sarah Lund, an ordained minister, social worker, and passionate advocate for mental health and disability inclusion. Author of the Blessed series on mental illness, neurodiversity, and family life, Dr. Lund brings pastoral wisdom and lived experience to conversations about accessibility and belonging.

This multi-day event features inspiring lectures, panel discussions, worship, meals, and a thought-provoking art exhibition, all designed to remind us of our calling and renew our commitment to hospitality for all people.

In-person registration is $125 and virtual registration is $75. CLICK to register.

Continuing Education with Flexibility to Fit Your Life

Stewardship and Financial Literacy for Ministry Leaders is now available. You can access the course today and be part of this very first offering!

Seminary Scholars

What is Seminary Scholars?

• The Seminary Scholars program grants eight incoming Master's level students full tuition scholarships along with a living stipend while they complete their Master's program at Phillips Theological Seminary

Who is eligible?

• Applicants must be admitted on or before January 15, 2026, to a Master's degree program at Phillips for the Fall 2026 semester
• Have a minimum GPA of 3.5 on undergraduate or most recent graduate transcripts, submitted with the application for admission
• Submit a letter from a local church pastor or campus minister affirming active membership in a congregation related to the applicant's denominational affiliation
• Applicants will submit two essays on the following prompts
• Describe how your previous academic coursework or another body of scholarly work has influenced your thinking on a contemporary event or social issue.
• How might you contribute to the Seminary Scholars cohort? How ill your distinct interests contribute to the Seminary Scholars program?

When is the deadline?

• To qualify for the 2026-2027 entering cohort, applicants must be both admitted to a Master's program at Phillips Theological Seminary and submit their application by January 15, 2026.

25/26 Session 4 Course Offerings

January 5 - March 1, 2026

NOTE ***Registration Deadline: December 18, 2025***

Christian Ethics

Instructor: Rev. Dr. George Flanagan

This is an introduction and exploration of the basic concerns and issues involved in ethical reflection, the Biblical and theological foundations of Christian ethics, and the response of the Christian to perennial and contemporary social and moral issues, with a view to equipping the student for ethical reflection in preaching, teaching, and pastoral leadership.

The online course is from January 5 - March 1, 2026. The price of the course is $100. Click here to register.

Overcoming Conflict

Instructor: Rev. Dr. Kris Tenny-Brittian

The purpose of this course is to explore congregational conflict: how to recognize, identify, and analyze it so that students will be able to develop strategies that will allow them to relevantly and practically intervene, confront, neutralize or negate, and use it.

The online course is from January 5 - March 1, 2026. The price of the course is $100. Click here to register.

Church History

Instructor: Dr. Lisa Barnett

This course is a survey of the development of the Christian Church/Christianity from the second century CE to modern times. Students will examine the institutional history of the Church as well as theological developments and the expansion and division of Christianity through diverse communities.

It is impossible to cover everything that happened, so this course will introduce major themes, events, and personalities in the historical trajectory to emphasize how Christianity developed to be both a religion of protest and liberation as well as a religion of empire and conquest.

The online course is from January 5 - March 1, 2026. The price of the course is $100. Click here to register.

Ecumenism

Instructor: Rev. Dr. Jack Sullivan, Jr.

Christian unity is a gift of God to the whole church. The ecumenical movement is the vehicle through which diverse church bodies live out their unity in spiritual, biblical, and practical manners. In this course, we will probe the biblical urgency behind ecumenism, discuss its theological and historical meanings and implications, and consider the links between the ecumenical movement, Christian faithfulness, and movements for social justice and inclusion.



The online course is from January 5 - March 1, 2026. The price of the course is $100. Click here to register.

UCC History, Polity and Identity

Instructor: Margot Pickett

This course will explore the history, theologies, polity, practices and ethos of the United Church of Christ in order to provide an understanding of its structure, ministries, and mission commitments. The course will include an exploration of denominational identity, hidden histories within the denomination, emerging trends within the UCC, and more.



The online course is from January 5 - March 1, 2026. The price of the course is $100. Click here to register.

25/26 Session 5 Course Offerings

March 2-April 26, 2026

NOTE ***Registration Deadline: February 16, 2026 ***

Overview of the Bible

Instructor: Rev.Dr. Alex Ruth

This course is an introduction to the content of the Bible and the methods of study that scholars use to understand it. Students will learn about the history of the periods in which various biblical books were written, and about how the individual writings came together into a single book. They will attempt to discover what the biblical writers were seeking to accomplish through their writings. This search will present students with understandings of the world and the place of humanity that can help illuminate alternative ways humans have experienced the world and attempted to make sense of it.

The date for the course is subject to change based on the instructor's schedule.



The online course is from March 2 - April 26, 2026. The price of the course is $100. Click here to register.

Introduction to the New Testament

Instructor: Rev. Dr. Kris Tenny-Brittian

This course will enhance the students' appreciation for the New Testament and its possibilities for ways that will enrich and transform their lives, as well as the lives of others. Students will build on their learnings from Overview of the Bible to focus on the contexts and themes of the New Testament canon; to become increasingly familiar with its major themes, literary forms, and textual issues; and to gain tools and experience in applying it in their life and to their work with their respective congregations, the Church, and the Kingdom.



The online course is from March 2 - April 26, 2026. The price of the course is $100. Click here to register.

Worship

Instructor: Rev. Geoff Mitchell

This course is designed to help participants meet the Worship criteria of the Sixteen Areas of

Ministerial Practice for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) including the formulation of a

theology for worship in the local congregation, overview of the history and present trends in

Christian worship, development of practical skills in planning and implementing weekly and special services of worship, introduction to the rich use of the arts and sacred music in the worship setting, and the development of resources which can be used for worship.

The online course is from March 2 - April 26, 2026. The price of the course is $100. Click here to register.

Disciples History and Polity

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.

***Please note this course week runs from Sunday-Thursday. The start date for class will be Sunday, March 1.***

The online course is from March 2 - April 26, 2026. The price of the course is $100. Click here to register.

Stay Connected with the CMLT Connection Space!

Have you joined our Center for Ministry and Lay Training connection site yet? If not, now’s the time! This space is your best spot for student resources, updates, and community connection through CMLT on Mighty Networks.

Here’s what you’ll find:

Resources: Ministry resources, open pulpits, upcoming events & more

Social Feed: Stay connected with your peers.

Events Section: Keep up-to-date with upcoming activities and gatherings.

Joys and Prayers: Share news and lift up prayers within our community.

Click the button below to join and explore!

Share your news with us!

Have some news that you would like to share about yourself or your colleagues? If so, please send that information so we may share your news with the wider CMLT community! Send an email to Leslie LeSieur at leslie.lesieur@ptstulsa.edu. You can always reach us by phone at 918.270.6471. We love to hear from you!

Upcoming Ministry Training Course Offerings

Schedule is subject to change based on registration and faculty availibility.

25/26 Session 4: January 5-March 1, 2026

Christian Ethics

Rev. Dr. George Flanagan

Ecumenism

Rev. Dr. Jack Sullivan, Jr.

Overcoming Conflict

Rev. Dr. Kris Tenny-Brittian

UCC History, Polity and Identity

Rev. Margot Pickett

Church History

Dr. Lisa Barnett

25/26 Session 5: March 2-April 26, 2026

Overview of the Bible

Rev. Dr. Alex Ruth

Disciples History and Polity

Rev. Jeff Gill

Introduction to the New Testament

Rev. Dr. Kris Tenny-Brittian

Worship

Rev. Geoff Mitchell

25/26 Session 6: April 27-June 21, 2026

Pastoral Leadership

Rev. Dr. Bill Tenny-Brittian

Stewardship

Rev. Dr. Bruce Barkhauer

Pastoral Care

Rev. Charla Gwartney

Church Administration and Planning

Dr. John Bracke