Inaugural
Black Theology and Leadership Institute
About the Black Theology and Leadership Institute
The Black Theology and Leadership Institute is a weeklong intensive continuing education event for clergy and laity for training, worship, and fellowship. The institute is designed for clergy and lay leaders who would like to deepen their thinking and preaching by learning from preeminent scholars of theology and religion. All are urged to apply, including those who may not have formal theological training. The Institute is limited to 50 fellows.
Fellows will have a week to think deeply about theology and leadership through robust academics and thoughtful discernment. The demanding schedule includes:
- In-depth Orientation of the week
- Three plenaries each on key theological doctrines: Creation, Christology, Theodicy, and Pneumatology.
- A one-day immersion on Leadership
- Access to Princeton Seminary’s world-renowned libraries and generous study time
- Daily Q&A
- Guided discussions in cohort groups
- Worship and intimate mentorship experiences
Particular to the Black Theology and Leadership Institute is an emphasis on direct mentorship from outstanding church, civic, and academic experts. Time will be set aside for one-on-one appointments as well as deliberate moments in the schedule for networking and fellowship.
Leadership
Keri Day is an assistant professor of theological and social ethics and the director of Black Church Studies at Brite Divinity School in Fort Worth, Texas. She is an active member of the Society of Christian Ethics, AAR, and Black Religious Scholars. Faculty
James A. Forbes, Jr. is the Harry Emerson Fosdick Distinguished Professor at Union Theological Seminary and Senior Minister Emeritus of the Riverside Church, an interdenominational church in NYC. He is also founder and president of the Healing of the Nations Foundation. Pastor/Preacher-in-Residence
Peter Paris is the Elmer G. Homrighausen Professor of Christian Social Ethics, Emeritus at Princeton Theological Seminary. Dr. Paris has published several books including Black Religious Leaders: Unity in Diversity and The Social Teaching of the Black Churches. Faculty
Yolanda Pierce is the Elmer G. Homrighausen Associate Professor of African American Religion and Literature at Princeton Theological Seminary. She is the author of Hell Without Fires: Slavery, Christianity & the African American Spiritual Narrative, and a forthcoming book titled “Religious Ecstasy & African American Cultural Expression.” Convener
Dr. JoAnne Terrell is the Associate Professor of Ethics and Theology at Chicago Theological Seminary. She is the author of Power in the Blood? The Cross in the African-American Experience and is an ordained elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. Faculty
William Turner, Jr. is Professor of the Practice of Homiletics at Duke Divinity School. He taught in the areas of theology and Black Church Studies and directed the Office of Black Church Affairs prior to his appointment in homiletics. He is the pastor of Mt. Level Baptist Church in Durham. Faculty
Preston N. Williams is the Houghton Research Professor of Theology and Contemporary Change Emeritus at Harvard Divinity School. From 1998 to 2008 he was the director of the Summer Leadership Institute, a program that brought religious leaders from urban settings to Harvard for two weeks of intensive classes on community development. He is an ordained Presbyterian USA minister. Senior Theologian-in-Residence
Sheena Wright is the President and CEO, of United Way NYC. Before that, she served as the President and CEO of Abyssinian Development Corporation (ADC) since 2002 and is a former Board member of United Way of NYC. A lawyer by training, Ms. Wright is the first woman to lead United Way of NYC in its 75-year history. 2013 Betsey Stockton Lecturer on Theology of Leadership
Tentative Schedule
BTLI schedule for 2013.
Cost
The fee for Black Theology and Leadership Institute is $1300.00, which includes program, meals, and lodging. On-campus residence is required during the duration in the Institute. Participants should make their travel arrangements to arrive on Saturday, July 13 and depart on Saturday, July 20.
Participants who are able to stay an additional week are encouraged to participate in one of Princeton Seminary’s flagship and oldest programs, the Institute of Theology (IOT). Not only will it add exponentially to the continuing education experience here at Princeton Seminary, but also is available at no additional cost to BTLI fellows.
Partial scholarships are available. Please inquire about scholarships at btli@ptsem.edu.
Application Process
The Black Theology and Leadership Institute is currently limited to fifty applicants who meet the selection criteria.
Attendance at the Black Theology and Leadership Institute requires an application and letter of introduction. The application is due on April 26, 2013 and decisions will be made and emailed by May 10, 2013. Registration is subject to the Seminary’s Registration and Cancellation Policy.
Applicants must complete a Letter of Introduction and Application:
Please submit by email at btli@ptsem.edu (preferable) or by mail to:
BTLI Application
Princeton Theological Seminary
School of Christian Vocation Mission
20 Library Place
Princeton, NJ 08540
The application and letter of introduction are due on April 26, 2013.
For more information or for questions, please contact:
Sushama Austin-Connor
Program Director, Black Theology and Theology Leadership Institute (BTLI)
Teddy R. Reeves
Program Assistant, Black Theology and Leadership Institute
(e) btli@ptsem.edu
(p) 609-497-7990
To download a program overview, please click here.
To download a program brochure, please click here.