Rev. Dr. Laceye Warner serves as Royce and Jane Reynolds Professor of the Practice of Evangelism and Methodist Studies and associate dean for Wesleyan engagement. Appointed to the faculty of Duke University Divinity School in 2001, she also served in previous administrative roles including academic dean from 2006-2012 and executive vice dean 2012-2015.
An ordained minister in the United Methodist Church, Dr. Warner serves the denomination in a number of capacities including an elected delegate from the Texas Conference to General and Jurisdictional Conferences in 2016, 2019, and 2020, as well as a member of the Council of Bishops’ Ministry Study from 2008-2016, University Senate 2012-2016, Council of Bishops’ Task Force on Leadership Formation and Theological Education 2008-2012, and the Board of Ordained Ministry in the Texas Conference 2008-2016.
Dr. Warner teaches courses in United Methodist Studies, mission, evangelism, and women’s leadership/ministry beginning in the 18th century to the present. Her research interests reflect upon and locate contemporary church practices within the larger Christian narrative to inform creative and faithful ministry practices. These interests are reflected in her published books.
Dr. Warner’s first book, Saving Women: Retrieving Evangelistic Theology and Practice (Baylor University Press, 2007) was rated an "Outstanding book" for 2008 by the University Press Books Committee. One of her most recent books, The Method of Our Mission: United Methodist Polity and Organization (Abingdon Press, 2014, rev. 2017) is a widely used denominational resource on polity. Demonstrating her commitment to mission practices of mutuality that do not cause harm, she co-authored with Gaston Warner, From Relief to Empowerment: How Your Church Can Cultivate Sustainable Mission (Foundery Books, 2018). She also co-authored with Bishop Kenneth Carder, Grace to Lead: Practicing Leadership in the Wesleyan Tradition, (UM GBHEM, 2010, 2nd ed. 2017).
In addition to publishing textbooks for theological education, Dr. Warner enjoys contributing educational materials for local congregations. She is currently working with Abingdon Press on two projects: Methodist Book of Daily Prayer and a congregational study on Wesleyan identity both projected for publication in 2024. She served as editor and contributor for an Advent Study, All the Good: A Wesleyan Way of Christmas, (Abingdon Press, 2021) that appears on the Evangelical Christian Publisher’s Bestsellers list for December 2021. She also contributed to the Wesley Study Bible, as co-editor of Wesleyan theological side-bars with Sarah Lancaster, eds. Joel Green and Wil Willimon (Abingdon Press, 2009).
Dr. Warner lives on a small farm with her husband and daughter in North Carolina where they care for a variety of creatures. A licensed flower farmer, she enjoys cultivating sustainably grown flowers as well as creating art through glass blowing.
Recent Books
In the Media
News and Stories
Celebrating the 2024 Graduates of Duke Divinity School
Duke Divinity School celebrated its 98th Baccalaureate Service on May 11 with a total of 180 Duke Divinity School students graduating and celebrated graduates with a Closing Convocation Service and two Graduate Cross Services (hybrid and residential).
Duke Divinity Course Prepares Students for UMC General Conference
Several dozen Duke Divinity students learned about church governance, met with bishops, and expressed hope for their vocational call in a course to prepare for the United Methodist Church General Conference.
Four Divinity Faculty Named Full Professors at Duke University
Promotion or appointment to full professor requires an extensive review and recommendation from faculty peers both inside and outside Duke and approval from academic leadership from the department or division, the school, and Duke University.
Recent Publications on Scholars@Duke
Selected Publications
- Saving Women: Retrieving Evangelistic Theology and Practice (Waco: Baylor University Press, 2007)
*Rated an "Outstanding book" for 2008 by the University Press Books Committee - The Study of Evangelism, co-edited with Paul Chilcote (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2008)
- Wesley Study Bible, co-editor with Sarah Lancaster of theological side-bars (Abingdon Press, 2009)
- Grace to Lead: Practicing Leadership in the Wesleyan Tradition, co-authored with Bishop Kenneth Carder (UM GBHEM, 2010)
- “Spreading Scriptural Holiness: Theology and Practices of Early Methodism for the Contemporary Church,” The Asbury Journal (Spring 2008), 115-138
- “Rethinking Evangelism and the Old Testament: Jonah and the Imitation of God,” co-authored with Stephen B. Chapman, Journal of Theological Interpretation (Spring 2008), 43-69