The following list provides profiles and contact information for pastors who can fill in during a time of transition or in a pastor's absence. The PSWR Committee on Ministry recommends a compensation range for pulpit supply of $200-$300 and hopes you will consider mileage as well. If you would like to be added or removed from this list please email your request to support@disciplespswr.org.
Amanda Burr
The Rev. Dr. Amanda Burr was ordained in the Pacific Southwest Region of the Christian Church (DOC) in 1983. She is a graduate of Claremont School of Theology and holds both a Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry Degree. Her Doctoral project was on Preaching as story-telling. Dr. Burr has served Mt. Hollywood Congregational Church (UCC), First Christian Church (Reseda), Mission Hills Christian Church (DOC), First Christian Church (Hemet), Shepherd of the Valley United Methodist Church (Interim), Palm Springs United Methodist (Interim), Winchester Community United Methodist Church (Appointment), and an Appointment as Lead Pastor of Palm Springs United Methodist Church from 2007-2018. Amanda served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in South America for 27 months and has since 2010 volunteered in Guatemala and Mexico. Rev. Burr speaks fluent Spanish. Her sermons have appeared in two sermon collections published by Chalice Press and she has authored two books: New Life For the Old, Old Story 1991 and Voices For Good Friday 2014. She is a minister in good standing in the PSW Region of the Christian Church (DOC). Videos of past sermons can be viewed at: Revdocburr.blogspot.com.
Contact Amanda Burr at 760-333-6423 or mandajoann@gmail.com
Greg Davis
Greg has been involved in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) his entire life. He grew up in the Disciples church in Florida. After receiving his Bachelors' degree from Florida Southern University, he then went to Texas Christian University where he received a Master of Divinity degree from Brite Divinity School. In his 40 years of ministry, Greg has served churches in Texas, Indiana and California, as well as serving in urban ministry settings, and leading mission trips to Central America. Greg and his wife Karen reside in Glendora, CA and are the parents of twin daughters.
Contact Greg Davis at rev.ged@verizon.net
Julie Davis
Reverend Julie Davis got her start in ministry under the mentorship of the late Reverend Bill Thomas. Julie graduated from Claremont School of Theology with an MDiv in Interfaith Chaplaincy in 2021 and was ordained by the Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, later that same year. When Pastor Bill died, Julie was called to lead Little White Chapel as transitional and then settled pastor. Upon graduation, Julie received the excellence in preaching award from CST, and the Pension Fund awarded her an Excellence in Ministry grant her first year in full-time ministry. She is a seasoned public speaker and professional writer who can "fill the pulpit" with a traditional sermon or offer a more emergent approach, such as dialogic preaching. Julie lives in Los Angeles where she pastors The Table: a Community for Spiritual Refugees (on Sunday evenings) and works as the Editorial & Program Director for a nonprofit. You can get a sense of her preaching on her YouTube channel and a sense of her ministry in the world at thetableburbank.com or at spiritualityandpractice.com. Contact Julie @ Julie@spiritualityandpractice.org.
Galen Goben
Galen Goben, a Certified Thanatologist, is the Grief Support Director for Forest Lawn in Southern California. He has been responsible for providing grief education and services to the community and to the grieving families served by Forest Lawn since 2007. Galen is an ordained Disciple of Christ Minister who served as a local church pastor for 15 years. He was awarded the Doctor of Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary in 2019. Galen is married to the Rev. Louise Sloan Goben.
Contact Galen Goben at 818-648-3547
Ed Linberg
Dr. Edwin (Ed) Linberg is a retired DOC Pastor. He served Disciples congregations in Kentucky and Kansas, as well as in the PSW Region. In this Region he served these congregations: Gateway CC in Los Angeles, Temple City, Saddleback CC/Shepherd of the Hills, Mission Viejo/Laguna Niguel. He has been involved with the PSW Region throughout his years in So Cal, including serving as Regional Moderator. He is the author of the Regional Church History, published in 2009.
Contact Ed Linberg at 909-392-6688
Darrel Manson
Darrel ministered to Artesia Christian Church for 17 years. He currently reviews films for screenfish.net, a site that looks a films from a spiritual perspective. Among his favorite films are Cool Hand Luke, Ikiru, The Truman Show, and the works of John Sayles.
Contact Darrel at revdem@verizon.net
Clifford “Rip” Rippetoe
Rip is an ordained pastor, with an MDIV from Claremont School of Theology, and serves on the Affiliate Clergy at University Christian Church in San Diego. He also serves the Pacific Southwest Region of the DOC as 2nd Vice Moderator. He is bi-vocational and brings a vast experience working in the convention, tourism, and hospitality industry. His day job is serving as the President & CEO of the San Diego Convention Center. He comes with an inclusive, progressive, theological approach. He has led, and served, organizations and churches in Nevada, Kentucky, and California. He has extensive training in areas of new church starts and interim pastoral assignments.
Contact Rip at rip@rsgnow.com or 619-300-7645
Fred Schaeffer
Rev. Dr. Fred Schaeffer has been a part of the Disciples of Christ since 1979 when I became a member of First Christian Church in Lakeland, FL. I went to seminary at Christian theological Seminary in Indianapolis, IN where I obtained my M.Div. degree. Following graduation from CTS, I served several churches in Kansas both as a settled/resident pastor and as an interim. While in Kansas, I earned my D.Min. degree from Nazarene theological Seminary in Kansas City, MO. In 2007, my calling as an interim pastor took me to Sacramento for a year, followed by a resident pastorate in Stockton. I became a part of the Pacific Southwest Region in 2009, where I have served doing a long-time pulpit supply at McCarty Memorial Christian Church from 2011 through 2015. Most recently I served as interim pastor at First Christian Church in Hemet from the fall of 2016 until the end of April 2019. I enjoy filling the pulpit for either one Sunday, several during vacation, or for longer, extended period of time.
Contact Fred Schaeffer at 760-315-5590 or drfes2001@yahoo.com
Jeff Utter
Jeff Utter is 76 years old but by the grace of God remain healthy and energetic. I have preached about 1600 sermons in my life as a settled and as interim pastor, including one year as assistant pastor at a church in Berlin, Germany, and one year as interim seminary president of the Evangelical Congregational Church of Brazil. I have also served as a Veterans Administration chaplain for nine years, working with homeless veterans, and as a prison chaplain for three years at the Federal Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles. I represent the Southern California conference of the UCC on the Southern California Christian Forum and its Faith and Order Commission. I am active on regional committees of the Conference and the Pacific Southwest Region of the Christian Church. I am also an interfaith leader in the greater los Angeles and have attended five Parliaments of the World Religions, most recently in Toronto. I am married to the psychotherapist Dr. Sharon Whittle and have two sons and two daughters.
Contact Jeff Utter at 626-794-1839 or hefffer@earthlink.net
Sally Welch
Rev. Sally Welch is a 5th generation DOC, growing up in Union Avenue Christian Church in St Louis, and transferring to No. Hollywood Christin Church, until her move to La Verne 31 years ago. She is now a member of Upland Christian Church. After working in the Film Industry and with writers for 9 years, she attended The Claremont school of Theology receiving an M. Div. Degree. After graduation and Ordination, she went straight on to the Ecumenical Institute Bossey, part of the world Council of Churches, and received a Certification in Ecumenical Studies. She has been in Ecumenical leadership as well as Interfaith from that time, and continues to serve in that Call. She was a Chaplain with the 1984 Olympics. Currently she is serving on the Southern California Christian Forum, the Ecumenical Interfaith Spiritual Formation Retreats and teaches Liturgical Dance. For the last 2 ½ years, she has been a Docent at The Museum, of tolerance in Los Angeles. She’s married to The Rev. David Berkedal, an ELCA (Lutheran) Pastor. They have one son, James Berkedal, an Attorney in LA County.
Contact Sally Welch at 951-205-2293