Clergy/Laity Training & Programs

Through a variety of seminars, programs, gatherings, lectures, and other offerings, the Divinity School seeks to help strengthen your faith and leadership by building your knowledge about the church and its practices. Also see our UMC Training & Programs.

Study Leave for Ministry Professionals

Find the time to read, reflect, research, or just relax with Study Leave for Ministry Professionals. Over the span of five to seven days, participants can immerse themselves in learning and renewal through self-directed study, worship, and prayer on the Duke University campus.

Attendees listening to speaker at 2018 event.

Convocation & Pastors' School

Monday, October 7, 2019 - 8:00am to Tuesday, October 8, 2019 - 4:30pm

The annual Convocation & Pastors’ School is an intensive two-day conference that offers lectures, worship, and seminars for Christian leaders of all traditions.

"Caminantes" for Pastors

Through Caminantes, fellow sojourners encounter Christ while practicing and honing skills for ministry among Latinos. Caminantes for pastors meets periodically to practice and hone skills for ministry among Latinos, and there is also a Caminantes group for students.

Institute participants engage each other on plenary break

2020 Summer Institute for Reconciliation

Monday, May 18, 2020 - 4:30pm to Friday, May 22, 2020 - 9:00pm

Come expand your theological imagination, grapple with practical problems, and be equipped to continue a journey of reconciliation within a wider community at this annual institute.

Hispanic Latino Preaching Initiative participants

Hispanic-Latino/a Preaching Initiative

Developed by Duke Divinity School’s Hispanic House of Studies, the Hispanic-Latino/a (H/L) Preaching Initiative provides an opportunity for H/L pastors to receive homiletical training in a peer group format.

2020 Convocation on the Rural Church

Monday, August 10, 2020 (All day) to Wednesday, August 12, 2020 (All day)

The Convocation on the Rural Church is an annual opportunity for pastors from the North Carolina and Western North Carolina Conferences of the United Methodist Church to join with Duke Divinity School and The Duke Endowment to discuss issues that are important in transforming rural churches and communities and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.