Come expand your theological imagination, grapple with practical problems, and continue a journey of reconciliation within a wider community at Duke Divinity School's Summer Institute for Reconciliation. At this annual event, the focus on transformation and reconciliation is grounded in a distinctively Christian vision and a framework that is richly practical, contextual, and theological.
Rooted in Duke Divinity School’s conviction that reconciliation lies at the center of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the institute draws on the strengths of a faculty of world-class scholars and practitioners. Since God’s ministry of reconciliation is entrusted to all Christians, the institute is designed to equip and inspire leaders who participate in God’s ministry of reconciliation as a journey of pain and hope. These leaders will cultivate a robust vision and practice of Christian reconciliation that is faithful to the scriptural witness, discerning of the times, and sensitive to the life of the church.
The institute centers on content with a biblical vision of reconciliation that inspires a movement of transformed communities and relationships. This formation of communities is nurtured by each other’s witness that Christ is strengthening us to the end and affirming us so that we do not “lack any spiritual gift” in our life together (1 Corinthians 1:4-9). As an integral part of the Divinity School and rooted in a Christian vision of God’s ministry of reconciliation, the institute aims to serve the academy, the church, and the world.
Registration will open in 2025.
Daily Program
Time | Event |
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8:30-9:00 a.m. | Worship |
9:15-11:45 a.m. | Common Journey Plenary Session Each morning, the Summer Institute for Reconciliation includes a plenary talk given by preeminent scholars and practitioners in the fields of Christian theology, reconciliation, and transformation. Plenary speakers use scriptural interpretation, theology, and storytelling to weave a rich tapestry of reflection that is theological, contextual, and practical. Plenary sessions include time for Q&A with these scholars and practitioners.
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12:00-1:00 p.m. | Lunch Break |
1:15-2:45 p.m. | Break Out Session I |
3:00-4:30 or 5:00 p.m. | Break Out Session II |
5:10-5:30 p.m. | Worship |
After 5:30 p.m. | Evening events (optional)
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The annual Summer Institute for Reconciliation will take place in person from May 14-16, 2025 on the Duke Divinity campus.
This year's institute will consist of three full days of engagement. Each day will include worship, daily plenary sessions (Common Journey), interactive discussion, Q&A portions, and workshops on reconciliation, transformation, and justice.
The formation that takes place at the Summer Institute for Reconciliation builds on critical questions that frame our content and design. These questions address the heart of the journey of reconciliation. Our methodology, “Word Made Flesh,” explores the theological, contextual, and practical dimensions of this movement of hope and liberation toward justice and shalom. Plenary speakers will be invited to consider how/where their work intersects with justice, resilience, restoration, equity, inclusion and belonging and to examine how/where faith communities have a place in practices of transformation and reconciliation.
The questions being explored in our Common Journey:
- New Creation — “Reconciliation toward what end?” — This is a question about the goal, so this first day anchors us in our destination. Where does this journey end? This question invites the participant to form a scriptural imagination of the gift of new creation.
- Lament — “Where are we and how did we get here?” — This is a question of context, which seeks to get to a clearer understanding of the specific challenges through seeing, naming, and standing in the brokenness. How has the past shaped the present? This question invites the participant to develop the gift and discipline of lament.
- Hope & Liberation — “What does liberation look like?” — This is a question of process, which highlights models, stories, and experiments that sustain a new future. We understand liberation and reconciliation to be concurrent processes. Where can we see signs pointing toward liberation? The question invites the participant into a vision, imagination, and capacity for hope leading toward liberation and reconciliation.
Our methodology, "Word Made Flesh," explores the theological, contextual, and practical dimensions of this movement of hope and liberation.
The Summer Institute for Reconciliation is intended for:
- Pastors with a desire for their congregations to become communities that live out alternatives to the destructive conflicts and social divisions that fragment our world
- Christian leaders who are committed to the ongoing training and equipping of others, who inspire and support people to become ambassadors of God’s movement of hope and liberation
- Grass-roots ministers and Christians living and working among the suffering and marginalized
- College, university, and seminary faculty and administrators training young Christians to live in the way of the Kingdom
- Denominational and organizational leaders seeking to guide their organizations into new practices that enable the flourishing of communities living out God’s vision of peace and justice
- Every follower of Jesus Christ seeking to become an ambassador of God’s healing and wholeness
Institute Speakers
Lodging, transportation, and meals other than lunch are the responsibility of attendees.
Lodging:
There are no on-campus accommodations. Durham has many hotels and short term rentals (Airbnb) close to the Duke campus.
Meals:
Lunch and snacks will be provided throughout the institute. You are on your own for breakfast and dinner.
We are committed to reducing our impact on our environment. We encourage you to bring a refillable water bottle/coffee mug for use throughout the institute. We will be using paper and compostable products.
Parking:
The closest parking lot to the Duke Divinity School is the Bryan Center Parking Garage (PGIV). Discounted on campus parking will be available for purchase with registration. Otherwise, campus lots charge $2/hour with no daily maximum.
Transportation:
The Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) is the closest airport. A ride from the airport to campus should take around 30 minutes. There is no public transportation between the airport and campus.
Weather:
The temperature in Durham in mid-May usually ranges between 65 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit (18 -35 Celsius) and there are often thunderstorms in the afternoon at this time of year. Please feel free to dress comfortably during the institute. You will especially want to have comfortable shoes and an umbrella. The air-conditioning in some of Duke’s classrooms can be quite cold, so you may also want to bring a sweater or light jacket.
Questions? Email dukesummerinstitute@div.duke.edu
Questions?
Contact us at dukesummerinstitute@div.duke.edu