Institutes & Initiatives

The Laney Program in Moral Leadership program honors the legacy of Emory President Emeritus Jim Laney and his wife, Berta. Jim Laney, who led the university from 1977-1993 and served as Candler’s dean from 1969-1977, believed in providing service to the world by engaging in the traditions, values, virtues, and vision of the community. Berta Laney provided dedicated service to others, creative initiative in numerous educational programs, and active engagement for justice and peace.

The program challenges students to explore the concept of moral leadership in the 21^st century in various contexts and cultures in the United States and around the world. Learn more.

Since 1993, Candler’s Youth Theological Initiative has focused on developing theologically-grounded, socially-conscious ministries with youth and young adults by educating and preparing youth ministers and leading programs for high school students to engage in justice-seeking theological education. Learn more.

The WMEI seeks to develop clergy and lay leaders in the worldwide Methodist/Wesleyan movements through international and regional seminars, as well as training opportunities within local churches, districts and conferences. Since its founding in 1982, this joint ministry of Candler and the World Methodist Council has sponsored 59 major seminars in more than 121 countries around the world. Learn more.

The CTS program was started in 2009 by Candler’s Elizabeth Bounds, associate professor of Christian ethics, and prison chaplain Rev. Susan Bishop to prepare incarcerated women to serve as leaders, as well as to provide seminary and doctoral students from four Atlanta Theological Association schools with teaching and ministry experience. Learn more.

Made possible by the Susan H. and W. H. Marcy Trust and in partnership with the Florida Annual Conference, this program works to inspire, support, and train pastors to become prophetic leaders in their preaching and in the public square. Participants are nominated each year by the bishop to participate in the year long experience that may include global travel as well as a week of retreat and study at Candler. Participants shape projects that seek to address injustice and suffering for their communities or the annual conference.

BRIDGE: Building Religious Inclusion, Diversity, and Generational Equity

Funded by the Lilly Endowment Inc., Candler School of Theology launched The BRIDGE in 2022 to create and foster new partnerships with local congregations in ministries with young adults who are in their twenties.

Many young adults face challenges that did not confront previous generations, such as life-long cycles of economic instability, and increased experience and witnessing of violence. Consequently, many congregations feel (and are) unprepared and ill-equipped to minister with young adults as they face these challenges. The resulting chasm can make it difficult for young adults and churches to see each other as beneficial relationship and ministry partners. Learn more.