Christian Theological Seminary is one of 60 organizations from across the United States that have received grants through the initiative since 2024. The groups include media organizations, denominational judicatories, church networks, publishers, educational institutions, congregations and other nonprofit charitable organizations.

Testify! strengthens Christian witness in Black churches by reviving testimony traditions for contemporary practice. “Contemporary worship formats have displaced testimony traditions in many Black churches, eliminating regular space for members to share their God-stories,” said Rev. Nick Peterson, PhD, Assistant Professor of Homiletics and Worship and Grant Director. “Testify! creates pathways for this practice by equipping churches with practical tools while documenting testimonies across multiple platforms.”

The initiative operates through a four-part framework. Implementation builds infrastructure through toolkit resources and partnerships with 250 churches, starting with 10 Indianapolis pilot congregations. Instruction develops capacity via a documentary series and collaboration retreats. Inspiration produces major city-wide events across five metropolitan areas, beginning with Indianapolis (2026) and Atlanta (2027). Sharing/Sustaining amplifies impact through strategic social media campaigns.

“We’re building on CTS’s work equipping Black preachers and expanding that work to include artists and laypeople,” said Peterson. “We’re partnering with artist-theologian Julian Davis Reid as Artistic Director to lead collaborative testimony art for our events and documentary series.”

“We are grateful for the opportunity to participate in this important initiative and are excited about the ministry this grant will make possible,” said CTS President David M. Mellott, PhD. “As someone who deeply believes in the power of testimony, I am convinced that it can transform individuals, strengthen communities, and help heal our world.”

The aim of Lilly Endowment’s National Storytelling Initiative on Christian Faith and Life is to help organizations identify, produce and share with a wide variety of audiences compelling stories that portray the vibrancy and hope of Christian faith and life.

About Lilly Endowment Inc

Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly, Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. Although the gifts of stock remain a financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion and maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana. A primary aim of its grantmaking in religion is to deepen the religious lives of Christians, principally by supporting efforts that enhance congregational vitality and strengthen the leadership of Christian communities. The Endowment values the broad diversity of Christian traditions and endeavors to support them in a wide variety of contexts. The Endowment also seeks to foster public understanding about religion by encouraging fair, accurate and balanced portrayals of the positive and negative effects of religion on the world and lifting up the contributions that people of all faiths make to our greater civic well-being.

About Christian Theological Seminary

Christian Theological Seminary (CTS), a fully accredited ecumenical graduate school open to all with historic roots in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), celebrated its 100th anniversary during the 2024-2025 academic year. CTS offers master’s and doctoral degree programs through its Schools of Theology and Counseling, provides accessible and compassionate mental health services through its Counseling Center, and advances collaborative work to address systemic social justice issues through the Faith & Action Project.

Contact: Stephanie Seeger

317-931-4437 / sseeger@cts.edu

The post Christian Theological Seminary Awarded Lilly Endowment National Storytelling Initiative on Christian Faith and Life Grant appeared first on Christian Theological Seminary.

In the August 2025 edition of the CTS Connection e-newsletter, we shared an editorial reflection from CTS Alumnus Elizabeth Diop (MDiv ’15) titled “Answering God’s Call, No Matter the Cost: What I Lost When I Spoke for a Detained Colleague – and Why I’d Do It Again.” This story includes updates on her story and her friend Ayman Solimon’s detention and release.  

“I lost my job speaking up for my friend, who was unjustly detained by ICE. Seventy-two days later, I watched him walk free.” Elizabeth Diop (MDiv ’15) experienced incredible loss this summer… the loss of the presence of a colleague and friend in the workplace who was unjustly detained, the loss of her job after speaking up on his behalf and advocating for his release, and the loss of knowing where her next paycheck would come from or how she would provide for her family. 

On September 19, the grief she held inside was finally able to flow freely outward. The news came as Elizabeth was speaking with her counselor, processing her struggles with the forced transition to a new job – one she wanted to love, but that she didn’t feel the same excitement and drive about yet. She remembers, “A notification popped up on my screen, interrupting me, and I saw the news. ‘I think Ayman has been released,’ I told my therapist. He smiled. I didn’t. I didn’t believe it. That hope? Too risky. After we ended the session, I opened up WhatsApp to see a photo – Ayman, his lawyer, and our friend standing together. It was real.” 

She was finally able to exhale fully as she processed the news that after 72 days in prison her dear friend, Ayman Solimon, was free… just weeks before his scheduled court hearing and potential deportation. 

“My breath hitched, eyes welled up, chin trembled, and I sobbed. I cried out the terror I’d been carrying for 72 days… that our friend would be deported. Tortured. Executed. I cried out the rage at the injustice of the whole situation,” Elizabeth recalls.  

The emotions were to be expected. Elizabeth lost her job of 10 years as a chaplain at a children’s hospital for speaking out on Ayman’s behalf. Her colleague Adam also lost his chaplaincy job due to social media posts advocating for Ayman. 

The two could have given in to their grief and retreated, but instead they chose to forge forward in faith, advocating tirelessly on Ayman’s behalf. They spoke to news outlets. They wrote letters. They organized prayer vigils and peaceful rallies to raise awareness. They encouraged fellow citizens to write to their representatives to alert them of Ayman’s unjust detention and ask for his release. 

For 72 anxious days, they maintained hope despite continued detention. 

After the grief found its way outward, joy overflowed. “I breathed in the comfort of knowing Ayman was safe. I laughed out praise to God that we worked together to bring about this reality. I breathed in my own awareness that Adam and me losing our jobs was worth it. That we had been so privileged to be a part of mending a small piece of our world,” she reflects. “72 days of government persecution. Incarceration. Lack of sunlight and fruit and hugs. And suddenly, he was free.” 

Elizabeth wraps up her experience seeing Ayman for the first time after his release best in her own words: 

“I stood in front of him and took him in. I know this situation changed him, but he was still himself. I don’t know that I’ve ever experienced such intense relief. 

We ate lunch. Overwhelmed at the sight of a salad – after months of nothing but a bitter cabbage-and-vinegar mix – he took a bite and said, ‘It’s a dream come true!’ 

The day ended with a press conference about Ayman’s release. 

As is his way, he expressed gratitude to everyone who supported him. ‘I am indebted for my life: for those who advocated, thank you very much!’ He praised God and expressed love for his fellow detainees. 

A guard had asked Ayman if he would come back to provide spiritual care at the jail. ‘Absolutely,’ he replied. ‘To be a volunteer chaplain.’ 

I think I’m going to join him. 

What strikes me is this: Ayman, caged for 72 days, wants to return to that same place to bring care and compassion. His faith didn’t break; it deepened. That’s the story I’ll carry forward – that God was never absent in his cell, in my tears, or in our organizing. 

God was there, suffering with us. God was there, fighting for justice with us. And God will be with us when we return to the jail, where together, we will carry the light that brightens the darkness.” 

In the original story Elizabeth wrote back in August, she reflected on her time at CTS: “We were trained to be truth tellers and faith leaders, to carry the light into dark places, to hold fast to our values, even when it’s costly. Ayman has done this, in every way possible. Adam and I have tried to do it as well. It’s messy. It’s terrifying. And it’s worth it. Ayman Soliman is worth it. And so is every other person detained at overcrowded facilities across the country.” 

Thank God for Ayman. Thank God for Elizabeth and Adam. Thank God for all of you who read the story, heard the news, and joined them in solidarity and action. Elizabeth also shared a prayer she used to pray with her patients and found herself praying for Ayman, and for all of us, these past few months. It reads much like a thank you note from many of us as we thank God for Elizabeth, Adam, and the many others who joined them in successfully advocating for Ayman’s release: 

Creator God,  

Thank you for the gift of these children. 

For their resilience. For their courage. For their incredible potential. 

Please heal their wounds and give them hope. 

Amen. 

May the power of this prayer sustain us all as we follow Elizabeth’s example and lead with integrity, despite great potential cost, in these tense times. May we be bold to walk with our grief, stepping into gratitude and the promise of hope, even when it seems impossible. And – as Elizabeth called our CTS community to do – may we continue to answer God’s call, no matter the cost. 

The post Out of Grief, Gratitude is Born: Ayman is Free! appeared first on Christian Theological Seminary.

With an academic legacy that spans over four decades and two continents, Christian Theological Seminary regretfully shares the passing of former professor and Dean of Students Dr. Carmelo E. Alvarez who died October 12, 2025. He was 78 years old.  

Dr. Alvarez began his expansive theological career at the Evangelical Seminary of Puerto Rico in 1971. He graduated from Emory University in 1974 with his Doctorate and went on to earn his PhD at the Free University of Amsterdam in 2006 with the dissertation “Sharing in God’s Mission: The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the Evangelical Pentecostal Union of Venezuela, 1960-1980.” 

Throughout his career, Dr. Alvarez developed an expertise in Venezuelan and Latin American history and theology, cross-culturalism in missionary work, and Liberation Theology in the Third World. In addition to the faculty positions he held at multiple seminaries, Dr. Alvarez was a prolific speaker and writer.  

Dr. Alvarez began his teaching career in 1971 at Emory University and came to the Indianapolis CTS campus in 1993 as the Missionary in Residence in 1993. This position transitioned into an Affiliate Professor of Latin American and Caribbean Christianity, and then into the Dean of Students role from 1992 -2002.  

While teaching at CTS, Dr. Alvarez’s most popular classes were Church History: Early Church to Reformation and Liberation Theology. He also delivered classes on Hispanic Theology in the US and the History of Pentecostalism in Latin America and the Caribbean.  

According to Rev. Mary Harris, the Associate Dean for Student Services who overlapped some of the time that Dr. Alvarez was at CTS, he was the strongest link students had to a Latino professor. “Students were excited with his Liberation Theology” classes, she stated, recalling that Dr. Alvarez was the first instructor to offer them here. This coincided with the school intentionally recruiting a Latino student population for the first time.  

“He was considered a missionary for the Disciples of Christ Church and travelled often,” Rev. Harris said. “His personal experiences made his teaching authentic.”  

Dr. Alvarez was sought out in many South American universities and seminaries to deliver presentation on his research and areas of expertise. In addition, he was the contributing writer and editor to several texts. One of his more popular books was the 1990 People of Hope: The Protestant Movement in Central America.  

In addition to his love for research and academics, Dr. Alvarez lived the gospel as well. He pastored at over one dozen churches after his ordination at the Puerto Rican Convention of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in 1972. He was dedicated to being the hands of feet of Jesus Christ and acted as a missionary and critical witness in many South American countries. Dr. Alvarez served as Disciples Overseas Mission staff from 1975-2011. In this role, he helped facilitate training in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Argentina, Cuba, Chile, and Venezuela.  

Dr. Alvarez married the love of his life, Rev. Raquel E. Rodriguez. She preceded him in death. They met while in school and were proud parents to Nina and Margarita Raquel. Dr. Alvarez lived in Chicago at the time of his death.  

The post CTS Remembers Carmelo Alvarez appeared first on Christian Theological Seminary.

Geography matters. Moving young makes a difference. Policy has real-life implications. Social interactions affect economic opportunity.

With these and other similar observations, Raj Chetty has transformed thinking about economic mobility and claimed a place as a visionary trend-setter among policy makers, civic and community leaders and those working on the frontlines to address poverty across the U.S.

Recently, we wrote about Chetty’s background and his rise to become a national economic thought leader. This month, to further prepare Indy for Chetty’s participation in the Faith & Action Fall Event on Sept. 25, we’re sharing more about his research and ideas.

A Harvard University professor and researcher, Chetty highlights the power of data to illuminate the factors putting and keeping children in poverty and offers insights into the ways communities can leverage data to improve children’s economic prospects and, ultimately, their shot at the American dream.

Chetty first drew broad national attention with his 2014 study, “Where is the Land of Opportunity?” Drawing from massive data resources, Chetty used his research not simply to point out problems but, rather, to identify issues that contribute to economic mobility. The implications from that report can be grouped under six themes:

• Geography matters … a lot. The data made it clear that certain cities do a better job of offering a child opportunities for upward economic mobility, while growing up in other cities could leave a child locked into the economic status into which they were born.
• Five key factors affect the chances for upward mobility. Chetty and his colleagues identified five characteristics of places associated with better upward mobility:
  • Less residential segregation, by race and income
  • Lower levels of income inequality
  • Better K-12 schools
  • More two-parent households
  • Greater social capital, such as civic engagement and religious participation
• Moving early helps. Children who move from a low-mobility area before age 13 are more likely to have higher earnings, better education and lower rates of teen parenthood. The earlier the move occurs, the better.
• Neighborhood effects are real and cumulative. It’s not just cities that can decide a child’s economic mobility. Neighborhoods within cities can play a role, and the effect compounds over time.
• Race plays a role. Black children, especially boys, face worse economic outcomes than whites, even when they grow up in similar environments. The culprit? Systemic barriers.
• Policy has an impact. Governments cannot sit back and expect the community to affect change. The federal Moving to Opportunity housing voucher program, for example, showed long-term benefits when introduced early in a child’s life.

Chetty’s recent studies have focused more on race and economic mobility, revealing that the black-white gap in upward mobility shrank significantly in the past 15 years but did not completely disappear. He also saw some changes in geographic trends, with the coasts no longer outpacing other areas in terms of pathways to economic mobility and noted that parental employment contributes to gaps between races and classes. One consistent point: social interactions and networks continue to play a big role in economic mobility.

As Chetty brings his insights and perspectives to Indianapolis, those working to mitigate poverty will have an opportunity to hear how his findings translate into meaningful action, what sorts of initiatives are having the greatest impact and what we should build, shift or reimagine in order to make a difference in Central Indiana. In this way, Chetty builds on the progress we’ve sought from the beginning of the Faith & Action Project, from our first spring conference that focused on the impact of toxic charity to our ongoing focus on what works and why.

With his focus on using data to identify effective efforts to fuel better economic mobility for children, Chetty is a logical next step in this progression, one that we hope will serve as a catalyst for change, especially for faith communities that care deeply about children, families, an inclusive economy and long-term impact. It can also inspire us to constantly examine our work, challenging ourselves to ask if we’re making a meaningful difference, having a positive impact in our communities and creating a lasting improvement for children and families.

Learn for yourself how Chetty’s work could help Indianapolis children and families improve their prospects and the role your faith community or organization can play in helping children grow up surrounded by networks of opportunity by attending the Faith & Action Fall Event on September 25 at 4:30 pm at the Schrott Center for the Arts. Admission is free.

The post Raj Chetty: Translating Insights into Action appeared first on Christian Theological Seminary.

What I Lost When I Spoke for a Detained Colleague — and Why I’d Do It Again

Editorial by Elizabeth Diop (MDiv ’15)

The Detention

I held it in during our emergency meeting at work. Bit my cheek. Pursed my lips to stop the quivering of my chin. Inhaled a little deeper to soothe the hitch in my breath.

Ayman Soliman. My beloved colleague. Faith leader. Chaplain. A man of compassion and moral courage. An asylum seeker. Imam. Chaplain.

Detained. Incarcerated.

Because he had the audacity to come to the United States, believing that here, he would be safe.

At the press conference that afternoon, it was hard to hear from behind the leaders speaking. But I caught that Ayman had been interrogated for hours. I hadn’t known that.

I let the tears fall. Wiped them with the collar of my shirt.

His work authorization was abruptly taken from him. A hearing pushed back.

His lawyers had expected that day’s immigration check-in to be routine.

They were wrong.

For the past four years, Ayman has been part of our spiritual care team, serving children and families with integrity, humility, and love. His presence has been a gift to our hospital and community.

He faithfully accompanied families through their most painful moments. He lifted prayers of celebration as parents prepared to bring their children home. He stood beside them as they held their child for the last time.

Word’s can’t fully express the comfort and hope Ayman’s presence brought in those agonizing moments.

And now he can’t. Because we have an immigration system that punishes the vulnerable and preys on the innocent.

My favorite memory with him? Two Muslim teenagers in our residential program wanted to visit the mosque during the holy month of Ramadan. He helped coordinate a supervised outing, found mosque-appropriate clothing for them, and welcomed them at the door like royalty. He led prayers, involved them in worship, and sat with them at a reserved table for Iftar supper.

I wish you could have seen the joy and pride on their faces. They’ll never forget that night.

And now? He’s in a cell.

The Open Letter

After the press conference, we clergy leaders gathered to plan next steps. I agreed to draft an open letter for clergy to sign in support of him. I didn’t know how to write an open letter. I didn’t know what to put in it.

But if they’d asked me to do the chicken dance in a bikini on Saturday Night Live and I thought it would help my friend? I’d do it.

Because the kids and families at the hospital need him. Our team needs him. And most importantly, he deserves to make it home safely.

I wrote the letter, and it was signed by hundreds of clergy across Greater Cincinnati. A reminder to Ayman that he’s not alone. A reminder to decision-makers that we are all watching the choices they make.

On Sunday morning, I was able to visit Ayman at the detention center, through video. He told me he felt God’s presence. He was touched by the compassion of others detained with him. He said he was sustained by the support pouring in from the community.

The Rally

We had a rally outside the hospital four days after Ayman was detained. By the second hour, we were all hot and tired. I pulled my kids back from the street for the third time. My eleven-year-old daughter, Anta, glared at me. I tapped my ear and pointed at the person speaking on the other side of the road. Listen, I mouthed.

We stood with a crowd along a busy street, holding signs of support for Ayman. My eight-year-old held hers up proudly, declaring, “Ayman Soliman—We love you so much!”

The next morning, a reporter reached out. She wanted to interview me about my visit with Ayman. I took a half day of PTO and met her near the hospital. The interview went well. It aired that evening and helped elevate Ayman’s story. All he’d asked was that we talk about him and how unfair this situation was, and I had honored that request.

The Consequences

But the next morning, my director stopped me, her mouth in a tight line.

“You’re facing disciplinary action,” she said.

“Could I be fired?”

“Leadership said, ‘Up to and including potential termination.’”

Because I spoke.

Because I supposedly violated a media policy I didn’t fully understand.

A policy so “tricky” even HR admitted it was confusing. One that restricts any unsanctioned media interaction that could be interpreted as speaking on behalf of the hospital—even if you’re off-campus, on PTO, and out of uniform.

I spoke about a visit in detention with my friend and former coworker. Off the clock. As a private citizen. But the story identified me as a Children’s Hospital employee. And they showed the hospital in the background. I couldn’t help but wonder if a donor had been offended. Or if leadership feared retaliation from the current administration.

Ten years of service. Hundreds of children and families I’d walked with through trauma, grief, and healing. Over.

Another colleague, Adam Allen, was also fired less than an hour before me. He was told his social media went against the values of the institution. Every post I saw was focused on Ayman—telling his story, raising awareness, and trying to save his life.

When I told my kids what happened, my eleven-year-old daughter expressed worries about back-to-school supplies. My twelve-year-old son was afraid we might lose our house. My teenager offered to get a job at a factory to help support the family. And me? I couldn’t process it all. But I could continue to speak for Ayman. To local news organizations. To Salon. To Rolling Stone. To The Guardian. To anyone who would listen.

I don’t regret speaking. I regret that the institution Ayman and I had served for years—which could have spoken with us—chose instead to stay quiet and to silence our voices. We tried to save the life of our beloved friend. And for that, we were ripped away from the work we loved and stripped of the stability our families need.

The Loss

A few days after my termination, I turned in my keys. Met my manager outside the office that had been like a home to me. Handed him my badge. Returned to my van.

The pain is overwhelming. I loved my work. I loved those kids. I even loved the impossible moments—coaching a grandmother through telling her grandson his mom had died, sitting with staff shattered by a patient’s death, kneeling on a quiet room floor to help a child breathe before they exploded.

Losing it all has shattered me. But I still believe in the words I prayed so often with our patients:

Creator God,
Thank you for the gift of these children.
For their resilience. For their courage. For their incredible potential.
Please heal their wounds and give them hope.
Amen.

The Call

That prayer? I pray it for Ayman, too. And for us. You and me.

I want to tell my Christian Theological Seminary community this:

We were trained to be truth tellers and faith leaders, to carry the light into dark places, to hold fast to our values, even when it’s costly. Ayman has done this, in every way possible. Adam and I have tried to do it as well. It’s messy. It’s terrifying. And it’s worth it.

Ayman Soliman is worth it.

And so is every other person detained with him and at overcrowded facilities across the country.

So I leave you with the same call I keep giving myself:

When the moment comes, may each of us prioritize God’s call. May we write legislators. Support immigration justice groups. Stand beside neighbors whose status makes them vulnerable.

May we refuse to stay silent. May we engage in the costly work of pursuing justice.

No matter what else we may lose, may we keep our souls.

The post Answering God’s Call, No Matter the Cost appeared first on Christian Theological Seminary.

In a world that can feel overwhelming, many people turn to counseling not just for emotional support, but to make sense of their lives. That reflection often touches something spiritual, rooted in meaning, connection, or belief. Yet spirituality is too often left out of counseling.

Integrating spirituality and therapy allows counselors to honor the whole person. Healing isn’t just about symptom relief. It’s also about identity, relationships, and transformation. Whether someone is facing grief, trauma, or a crisis of meaning, exploring their spiritual worldview can be essential.

But what does it mean to bring these two areas together, especially given how often spirituality has been used to harm, exclude, or impose belief systems? At Christian Theological Seminary (CTS), we approach what some might call spiritually integrated counseling with humility and care, recognizing the risks of proselytizing, coercion, or assuming shared values. We believe counselors can engage spiritual or existential concerns ethically and inclusively, honoring each client’s experience without judgment or agenda.

That’s the kind of formation students undergo in CTS’s Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MACMHC) program. Through rigorous training, hands-on experience, and a spiritually inclusive ethos, CTS prepares counselors who are attuned to the realities of both faith and clinical practice.

Interested in becoming a compassionate, spiritually attuned therapist?

Why Spiritually Integrated Counseling Is an Essential Part of the Healing Process

“Spirituality, to me, has to do with the soul — and the soul is Spirit,” said Bryan Votaw, clinic director and clinical supervisor in the post-graduate residency program at CTS. “It encompasses human connectivity — connectivity with the Divine. I think it is a realm that exists if we have both the courage and the openness to invite it to be part of the process.”

Far from a specific set of beliefs, spiritually integrated therapy is about being open to whatever the client brings, whether that’s Christian spirituality, Muslim spirituality, Jewish traditions or existential questioning without religious affiliation. This approach affirms that spirituality is not something reserved for the religious. “Spirituality is part of the internal human makeup,” Votaw says.

Integrating spirituality into counseling allows therapists to explore how belief systems shape identity, values, and healing. Many clients carry deep wounds tied to religion or spiritual communities. Some have experienced harm in religious settings. Others are searching for meaning while feeling disconnected from faith traditions.

“Some people who are trying to deconstruct their religion aren’t trying to abandon spirituality. They’re trying to heal,” Votaw explained. “How do we help them to use what healthy spirituality exists in them? How do we help them identify it so that when they’re deconstructing, they’re not abandoning all aspects of their belief system but rather discerning what aligns with their healing?”

In these moments, spirituality and therapy intersect in ways that can be profoundly life-giving. This is the heart of whole person counseling — seeing the soul, the story and the struggle, not just the diagnosis.

Becoming a Spiritually Inclusive Counselor

Some assume that a master’s in counseling from CTS is similar to a traditional seminary degree focused only on Christian counseling. In reality, CTS’s approach is broader, welcoming students and clients of all faiths — or none at all.

“We integrate spirituality. We’re not doing Christian counseling per se, which is a different modality,” Votaw explained. “We’re not asking you to believe any particular thing. We see you as a person who’s trying to figure your life out — and that’s enough.”

The MACMHC program prepares students to meet people from all walks of life with respect, humility, and a commitment to ethical, inclusive care. It’s about holding space for healing, identity, and meaning, however the client understands them.

“It’s about the transformation and the growth of the clinician — being open to the Ultimate, being open to this ineffable Other that comes and permeates our spaces,” Votaw added.

This openness is what sets spiritually integrated therapy apart from rigid, doctrine-based approaches.

Gaining Real-World Practice Incorporating Spirituality into Therapy

At CTS, you don’t have to wait until graduation to begin making a difference. Through your practicum and internship at the CTS Counseling Center, you’ll work directly with clients navigating grief, trauma, and spiritual uncertainty. You’ll develop the skills to meet people where they are and support them with care and presence.

This hands-on experience helps you embody what it means to offer more than just clinical techniques. You’ll learn to provide care that is thoughtful, grounded, and attuned to each client’s unique experience.

If you feel called to serve in both clinical and spiritual leadership roles, you can also pursue a dual-degree path that pairs the MACMHC with the Master of Divinity (MDiv). This combination prepares you for roles in pastoral counseling, chaplaincy, and ministry-based mental health care — uniting theological depth with advanced clinical training.

Developing Skills for Compassionate Counseling

CTS doesn’t offer a one-size-fits-all approach. Students come from a variety of spiritual and cultural backgrounds — and so do the clients they serve. Whether working with nonbelievers, people of faith, or those carrying spiritual trauma, CTS clinicians are trained to meet each person with openness and respect.

“Sometimes people will come with a lot of background in theology and religious life, and some people have little to none,” Votaw said. “My encouragement to them is, don’t try to know what you don’t know. Just listen. They’re not necessarily talking to you about God. They’re talking about how they understand God, and that tells you something about them.”

This ability to engage without assumptions is a cornerstone of spiritually integrated counseling — and of the MACMHC program. Rather than teaching a fixed set of beliefs, CTS helps students think critically, reflect ethically, and work with complexity. They learn to offer care that is clinically sound, and spiritually inclusive and affirming of each client’s worldview, background, and lived experience.

At its heart, this is more than a counseling degree. It’s an invitation to grow — spiritually, academically, and professionally.

A Seminary Counseling Degree That Offers Healing and Hope

For many clients who enter therapy, hope feels distant if not completely out of reach. They carry stories shaped by loss, disconnection, or spiritual wounding. Creating space for hope, even in its most fragile form, is one of the most sacred responsibilities a counselor can hold.

“I think what is often an overlooked aspect of clinical work is this idea of hope,” said Votaw. “Hope brings people to therapy. But it’s the connection — meaningful, safe, and therapeutic — that helps it take root. When clients are honored and held with dignity, they begin to experience something vastly different than what they carried in.”

At CTS, hope isn’t just a concept. It lives in students who choose this work. And it’s found in clients who walk through the doors of the CTS Counseling Center, searching for light in the darkness.

Spirituality and therapy don’t have to live in separate worlds. When integrated with care, training, and reflection, they become a source of profound healing — for both client and clinician.

Prepare to Be a Spiritually Grounded Counselor

A seminary counseling degree from Christian Theological Seminary is more than academic preparation. It’s a path that equips you to serve with clarity, compassion, and integrity. Through classroom learning, personal reflection, and clinical experience, you’ll gain the skills to support clients with care and respect for their full humanity.

Join the CTS community and see how the MACMHC program prepares you to integrate spirituality and therapy with purpose — and make a lasting impact through your counseling practice.

The post Integrating Spirituality and Therapy in Counseling appeared first on Christian Theological Seminary.

Christian Theological Seminary was proud to be present at the 2025 General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), held July 12–15 in Memphis, Tennessee. The Assembly, centered on the theme “BEYOND” (Ephesians 3:20–21), brought together thousands of Disciples from across the U.S. and Canada for worship, learning, and connection. For CTS, it was an energizing opportunity to renew relationships, make new friends, and share the good work happening in and through our seminary community.

CTS’s presence was anchored by a team of staff who attended the full Assembly: President David Mellott, Vice President for Advancement Kristin Champa, Stephanie Seeger (Alumni Engagement & Communications Officer), Charlie DeMaio (Senior Development Officer), and DeNeen Collins (Director of Recruiting & Admissions). Each brought their own energy and expertise to engaging attendees and deepening CTS’s presence throughout the event.

Hospitality at the CTS Booth

Throughout all four days, CTS hosted a welcoming and dynamic exhibit booth in the General Assembly exhibit hall. With inviting couches and a living-room feel, the booth quickly became a hub of activity. Alumni, friends of the seminary, and curious first-time visitors stopped by for conversation, rest, and connection.

The booth offered a variety of popular branded giveaways—some showcasing CTS’s general identity and others created specifically for alumni. A highlight for many visitors was the CTS Crossroads book, filled with alumni reflections and stories that provided a meaningful window into the history, scholarship, and spirit that have defined the seminary’s first 100 years.

Signature CTS Events

In addition to its ongoing exhibit presence, CTS hosted two signature events at the Assembly: a Presidential Reception on Sunday, July 13, and the CTS Alumni Luncheon on Tuesday, July 15.

The Sunday reception offered space for alumni, colleagues, and new friends to gather for conversation, connection, and encouragement.

The Alumni Luncheon brought together graduates from six decades for a vibrant time of reconnection. President Mellott offered reflections on CTS’s centennial, shared insights into the seminary’s current context and future vision, and spoke to the vital impact of alumni in a hurting world and the essential role of theological education in today’s landscape. His words sparked thoughtful conversation among attendees about ways CTS can support our alumni in a time that can be particularly challenging and exhausting for theological and counseling leaders.

Deepening Community and Future Possibilities

The General Assembly provided a meaningful opportunity to strengthen and expand CTS’s relationships—within the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and beyond. Many alumni expressed deep appreciation for CTS’s presence and ongoing partnership, while others shared powerful stories of how their formation at CTS continues to shape their ministries and callings. The gathering also opened the door to new connections, as attendees explored CTS’s programs, values, and community life.

It was especially moving to witness the many ways CTS alumni and friends contributed—preaching in plenary worship, leading workshops, and representing Disciples of Christ ministries throughout the exhibit hall. Equally heartening was the presence of the next generation, as alumni’s children played, prayed, and built community together during children’s programming and field trips.

Looking Ahead

CTS’s participation in the 2025 General Assembly was a joyful expression of connection, hospitality, and hope. As we move through our 100th year and into our next chapter, the energy of General Assembly serves as a reminder of the vibrant and growing community that surrounds and supports the seminary’s mission.

We are grateful to all who stopped by the booth, attended a CTS event, or reached out to reconnect. We look forward to continuing the conversations and traveling our shared journey as together we share God’s liberating love and join God’s transforming of the world.

The post CTS Connects at General Assembly appeared first on Christian Theological Seminary.

Martin Luther King, Jr.’s 1963 “I Have a Dream” speech was a critical moment in the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 60s.

But before that, there was prayer.

God grant that right here in America and all over this world, we will choose the high way; a way in which men will live together as brothers…This will be the day when white people, colored people, whether they are brown or whether they are yellow or whether they are black, will join together and stretch out their arms and be able to cry out: “Free at last. Free at last. Great God almighty, we are free at last.” 
 
While the last lines are familiar from Dr. King’s iconic 1963 speech, it’s actually a portion of a prayer King gave in 1957 at the Second Annual Nonviolence and Social Change Conference at Holt Street Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama.

And it’s that use of prayer—to bring attention to the issues of the day, to turn our focus to injustice—that Francisco Lozada, Jr., PhD, Vice President of Academic Affairs & Dean of the Faculty at Christian Theological Seminary, wants us to consider as he introduces the 2025-2026 Lifelong Learning webinar series, “Prayer in an Age of Authoritarianism.”

“People need hope right now,” says Lozada. “And in keeping with Christian Theological Seminary’s tradition of speaking to the present, this series will help pastors and lay people understand how to use prayer to be more attentive, reflective, and intentional in how they use prayer in liberative ways—to teach, mobilize, resist, and give a community hope.”

The webinar series for 2025-2026 will include talks from groundbreaking scholars, each with a unique focus on prayer. Each session will conveniently begin at noon—Dean Lozada suggests enjoying your lunch while you participate—and will start with a prayer from a pastor, who will co-host and offer practical reflection on the speaker’s talk for anyone seeking to engage in prayer in a public setting.

“Prayer is how we connect to the divine, but there’s not just one function of prayer,” says Lozada. “Through this series, we can consider how to use prayer to provide a counternarrative to authoritarianism.”

The series includes two tracks:

• Our Life in Common: Designed to foster public theological reflection
• Skills for Flourishing Congregations: Providing practical tools for faith leaders

For Lozada, this year’s Lifelong Learning series is an exciting chance for anyone interested in deepening their understanding of prayer to engage with top theologians from the comfort of their own desk.

“As theologians, we cannot refrain from speaking about the present,” says Lozada. “This series will show us how prayer can reveal and remind us that God is still with us in this turmoil.”

The schedule includes:

• September 24, 2025—The Role of Prayer in Community Solidarity, presented by Nick Peterson, PhD, Christian Theological Seminary
• October 22, 2025—Praying Well: The Push Against the Globalization of Indifference, presented by Daisy L. Machado, PhD, Union Theological Seminary
• November 19, 2025—When Prayer Meets Protest, presented by Keri Day, PhD, Princeton Theological Seminary
• January 28, 2026—Only Prayer Can Save Us! How To Stay Alive and Sustain Our People During These Times, presented by Cláudio Carvalhaes, PhD, Union Theological Seminary
• February 25, 2026—Prayer as Political Response and Accompaniment, presented by Yara González-Justiniano, PhD, Vanderbilt University
• April 8, 2026—For What or Whom Else Shall We Pray?, presented by Amy Lindeman Allen, PhD, Christian Theological Seminary

All are welcome—from pastors to lay people who seek a deeper reflection on prayer. While each webinar is free, registration is required. For more information and to register, visit the series page here.

The post Free Webinar Series: Prayer in an Age of Authoritarianism appeared first on Christian Theological Seminary.

Christian Theological Seminary’s Faith & Action Project has awarded $100,000 in grants to five nonprofit organizations working to reduce poverty among children and families in Marion County. The funding supports a range of innovative efforts—from housing stability to youth mentorship and LGBTQ+ support services.

Three of the five grants—awarded to Coburn Place, Family Promise, and Holy Family Shelter—will bolster programs rooted in the “housing first” model, which prioritizes securing safe, stable housing as a foundation for long-term success. The remaining grants will expand a youth mentoring and career readiness program, as well as a grassroots initiative focused on serving LGBTQ+ individuals.

“This year’s grants reflect our commitment to supporting both proven models and promising new approaches,” said Faith & Action Project Director Lindsey Nell Rabinowitch. “We focused on initiatives that are already making a measurable impact and have the potential to scale and reach even more people.”

More than $1M in grant funding has been awarded to faith communities and nonprofits as part of the Faith & Action Project since 2017. The 2025 grant recipients follow.

• $25,000 to Coburn Place, a domestic abuse treatment center on the near north side. The grant will support its Transitional Housing Program, which provides rent- and utility-free housing, as well as Coburn programs offering access to education, employment and healthcare options. The grant will be used to help survivors secure and sustain stable housing, improve their safety and well-being, interrupt cycles of abuse and establish goals relating to housing, finances, health, employment, education and relationships. Faith-based partners contribute in various ways, including hosting survivor-focused gatherings, facilitating workshops grounded in spiritual and emotional wellness, and distributing care kits.

• $20,000 to DREAM Alive, a nonprofit that works with Center Township youth who attend Indianapolis Public Schools, helping them discover career paths and mentoring them from 6th grade through high school graduation. The grant allows DREAM Alive to expand into more IPS middle schools, provides transportation for career-exploration trips and covers after-school meals and snacks for students, many of whom face food insecurity.
   
  DA collaborates with various faith-based organizations, including Shepherd Community Center, Elevate Indianapolis, Midtown Church, Indiana Wesleyan University, Str8Up Youth Camp, Marian University, Edna Martin Christian Center, Outreach Inc. and more.

• $20,000 to Family Promise of Greater Indianapolis, a nonprofit working to end homelessness in Indianapolis. Prior to the COVID pandemic, Family Promise used a model in which congregations hosted families experiencing homelessness at their faith communities, with volunteers providing meals, transportation, childcare and more. When COVID prevented congregations from hosting families, Family Promise researched, raised funds for and launched a new model, the Apartment Shelter Program, through which Family Promise signed leases on apartment units throughout the city, which it offers as temporary shelter for families ineligible for eviction diversion or stabilization programs.
   
  Community partner Mustard Seed of Central Indiana furnishes the apartments, while congregations provide housewares, which families take with them when they leave. Family Promise case management helps families maintain stable housing. The model costs roughly 30% less than traditional shelters and reduces the trauma associated with shelter living.

• $25,000 to Holy Family Shelter, a program of Catholic Charities of Indianapolis, located on the near westside. The grant will ensure that 250 families (750 individuals) who are experiencing homelessness or a housing crisis have access to emergency shelter, comprehensive services and permanent affordable housing through Holy Family Shelter’s Sustain, Support and Divert program.
   
  Holy Family prioritizes immediate access to housing – ideally helping families stay in their current housing – and staff advocates on behalf of families with landlords and property managers. Holy Family staff provides an array of services to help families move toward stability and also assists with such expenses as rental deposits and payments, utilities, transportation and childcare, removing short-term financial hardships that can affect a family’s ability to remain housed.

• $10,000 to We Bloom, a nonprofit focused on healing, empowerment and skill-building primarily for the LGBTQ+ community. The grant funds two programs, the first of which is a queer-affirming and trauma-informed recovery program at Recovery Café Indy. As a first-of-its-kind in Indiana, this program addresses the need for inclusive, healing-centered spaces that reduce trans individuals’ isolation and foster belonging.
   
  The second funded program is a partnership with Purposeful Design, a Christian nonprofit providing job training to individuals overcoming addiction, homelessness and incarceration, to expand job training for Recovery Café Indy members.

The post F&A Project Awards $100,000 to Local Anti-Poverty Initiatives appeared first on Christian Theological Seminary.

Raj Chetty is known globally as a Harvard University professor and researcher who has revolutionized the understanding of geography and social mobility. But in 1997, he was a new high school graduate with a question: How can I have the greatest impact on the world?  

Academically gifted (he was valedictorian at an elite Milwaukee school), he considered pursuing the sciences, like his mother and biomedical-researcher sisters. No doubt, his grasp of research principles and love of data could contribute to the world of medicine. But he felt he could make an even bigger difference in economics, his father’s area of expertise.  

It seems he made the right choice. In the decades since that decision, he has become a respected economist studying the factors that contribute to economic mobility. On Sept. 25, Chetty comes to CTS to share his ongoing findings at the Faith & Action Fall Event.  

Chetty’s rise to notoriety was quick. Six years after leaving high school, he had earned both a bachelor’s and doctorate degree from Harvard University, where he would go on to become the youngest-ever tenured professor of economics at age 28. And in 2012, he and a colleague issued a groundbreaking study on the significant role geography can play in a child’s economic prospects. In the years since, Chetty has established himself as a leading voice in the use of data as a weapon against poverty.  

Combining his expert grasp on statistics with a flair for communicating, Chetty has since captured global attention with his colorful maps and compelling data showing how a range of variables – moving to a better neighborhood at a young age, having access to better schools, connecting with people from other economic groups and more – can change the trajectory of a child’s future.   

The connection between geography and destiny has a personal resonance for Chetty. In India, where he was born, a woman from his mother’s community typically would not have gone on to postsecondary education. There was no college nearby, and sending her away to school would have been culturally inappropriate. However, a wealthy local man wanted his daughter to attend college, so he started one, and Chetty’s mother was among the first students. She went on to become a physician and, later, a professor of pediatrics – a profession that allowed her to support her husband as he earned his PhD in economics.  

The family moved to America when Raj was nine years old, and he soon recognized for himself the economic impact of geography, seeing the difference between his new life and the lives lived by his cousins who remained in India. “It was evident to me growing up how different our opportunities and experiences were,” Chetty told a writer for the International Monetary Fund in 2018. 

Quoted in The Atlantic in 2019 as saying his “big-picture goal is to revive the American dream,” Chetty has become a relentless champion for the power of data related to economic mobility. Opportunity Insights, the Harvard-based nonprofit research initiative he launched, continually issues headline-grabbing studies on the factors that affect children pursuing that American Dream, and Chetty offers insights into the ways communities can leverage that data to move children out of poverty.  

Learn for yourself how Chetty’s work could help Indianapolis children and families improve their prospects by attending the Faith & Action Fall Event on September 25 at 4:30 pm at the Schrott Center for the Arts. Admission is free.  

The post Zip Codes and Childhood Destiny: Raj Chetty Comes to Indy to Break it Down appeared first on Christian Theological Seminary.