Center for Reconciliation

Rooted in a Christian vision of God's mission, the Center for Reconciliation inspires and supports leaders, communities and congregations to work toward reconciliation of conflicts at local, regional, national and international levels.

The Center's mission flows from the Apostle Paul's affirmation in 2 Corinthians 5 that “God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself,” and that through Christ, “the message of reconciliation has been entrusted to us.”

In many ways and for many reasons, the Christian community has not taken up this challenge. In conflicts such as the Rwandan genocide and challenges such as family fragmentation, urban violence, and ongoing racial and ethnic divisions worldwide, the church typically has mirrored society rather than offered a witness to it. In response, the Center seeks to form and strengthen transformative Christian leadership for reconciliation.

The center's work focuses on three major efforts:

• Cultivating new leaders. This includes forming students into transformative Christian leaders who are deeply prepared for the mission of reconciliation in the church, academy and world, by building on Duke Divinity School 's programs of teaching and learning.

• Communicating wisdom, insights, hope and practices. Re-framing scholarship, teaching and Christian practice in reconciliation, justice, conflict and peace by generating theologically-formed resources to serve Christian witness in a divided world.

• Connecting in partnership to strengthen leaders. This means inspiring, nurturing, and revitalizing pastors, practitioners, key leaders and congregations worldwide in the journey of reconciliation.

Co-Directors:
Chris Rice 919-660-3578
Emmanuel Katongole 919-660-3478

Editorial Contact:
Jonathan Goldstein 919-660-3416