OBCS Celebrates 50 Years

The Office of Black Church Studies is proud to celebrate 50 years!

We teach, research, publish, and create experiences to nurture effective leaders for the church, the academy, and the world.

LATEST ANNOUNCEMENTS & EVENTS

Milestone

OBCS Celebrates 50 Years — Est. 1972

LecturE

Martin Luther King, Jr. Series

Rev. Dr. Cynthia L. Hale
Guest Speaker & Preacher

April 18, 2023
11:45 Chapel Service   |   3:30 Lecture

At the Office of Black Church Studies, we seek to enrich the work and witness of Duke Divinity School—with both theological and spiritual resources from Black Church contexts.

We draw from intellectual and empirical resources of Africa and the African Diaspora, and strengthen the mission and vocation of the school to impact congregations, organizations, and societies locally and globally.

Highlighted text in a Bible.

We help to form good and faithful leaders through curricula, lectures, and relationships and networks.

One

Unique Course Offerings

Our course offerings increase theological and ministerial capacities of Divinity School and University students.

Two

Certificate in Black Church Studies

Offering the opportunity for reflection, dialogue, and practice for students who are interested in the intersection of race and faith, particularly in the tradition of Black churches.

Three

Black Pastoral Leadership Collaboration

This initiative draws on original research from the Black church for the whole church — focusing on research, teaching, and convening.

Four

Lectures & Events

Networking and conversation help service learning and relationship cultivation, while exploring approaches to transform churches, organizations and communities.

“Studying at Duke Divinity has helped me to foster a particular fortitude, as my convictions, formed out of the Black church tradition, are brought into the discussion of the broader theological conversation.”

Orlander Thomas, M.Div. ’20