Reflective Leadership Grant applicants are asked to commit to attending an in-person convening. This convening will bring all recipients together for a collaborative learning experience as they begin their balcony time. All reasonable expenses for the convening will be paid separately from the grant. After being awarded a Reflective Leadership Grant, you will receive an invitation to register.
We will hold our sessions at the Hilton Durham near Duke University, located at 3800 Hillsborough Road, Durham, NC 27705.
Detailed information about applying for a Reflective Leadership Grant is available here.
Award Notification: July 18, 2025
Project Timeline: September 1, 2025 – March 1, 2027
Grantee Convening: October 27 - 29, 2025
Final Report Due: March 31, 2027
| 1:00 PM | Snacks |
| 1:30 | Opening Worship |
| 2:00 | Opening Plenary |
| 2:30 | Break |
| 2:45 | Approaching the Balcony: Making Ready |
| 4:00 | Break |
| 4:30 | Peer Group Meeting |
| 5:30 | Break |
| 6:00 | Dinner |
| 8:00 AM | Breakfast |
| 9:00 | Morning Worship |
| 10:00 | The View from the Balcony |
| 10:45 | Balcony |
| 11:00 | The View from the Balcony (continued) |
| 11:45 | Break |
| 12:00 PM | Lunch with Peer Groups |
| 1:00 | Reflection Time |
| 5:00 | Shuttle Pick-Up from Reflection Time Locations |
| 6:00 | Dinner |
| 8:00 AM | Breakfast |
| 9:00 | Morning Worship |
| 9:30 | Break |
| 9:45 | Peer Group Meeting |
| 10:45 | Break |
| 11:00 | Closing Session and Commissioning |
| 12:00 PM | Lunch |
During the convening, snacks and meals will be provided. All meals will be served in the Empire Ballroom. Breakfast is served from 8:00 AM - 8:50 AM.
You can let us know of any dietary restrictions or special accommodations you may require on your registration form.
All transportation and lodging expenses will be paid for by Leadership Education at Duke Divinity. After you submit your registration, all directions to book your travel will be in your confirmation email.
Shuttle service to your chosen Reflection Time Location will be available in front of the hotel on Day Two.
Comfortable attire is welcomed! Be sure to wear comfortable shoes for your Reflection Time on Day Two.
The Rev. Dr. Mycal X. Brickhouse serves as a director of programs and grants at Leadership Education at Duke Divinity, where he oversees Reflective Leadership Grants and Foundations of Christian Leadership. Ordained as an itinerant elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Brickhouse previously served as a pastor in North Carolina and as director of alumni relations at Duke Divinity School. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and earned an M.Div. and a D.Min. from Duke Divinity School. The Rev. Brickhouse is passionate about community relations and spending time with his family.
Dr. Kate Rae Davis (MDiv, EdD) Is passionate about supporting innovation in spiritual communities that respond to our complex cultural moment. Kate consults and coaches spiritual leaders within and beyond denominations, including nonprofit managers, academic administrators, pastors and “don’t call me a pastor” gatherers to help them to align the gifts of their members and the needs of their neighborhood with resilience and generativity. Of particular interest is facilitating collaboration across multiple organizations to solve shared challenges. As a day job, Kate serves as the Executive Director of the Center for Transforming Engagement at The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology. Contact at kate.rae.davis@gmail.com.
We know that you grapple with many difficult questions as a Christian leader. We want to help. Complex concerns about ministry can’t be fully addressed here, of course, but we provide a starting point for engaging the deep issues.
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