Chapel Student Ministries

Duke Chapel Student Ministries provides opportunities for undergraduate students to hear and respond to God's call for their lives on campus, in Durham, and beyond through study, artistic expression, counsel, service, and community. Its aim is to help students bridge faith and learning during their time at Duke, so that they can take purposeful steps in bridging their distinctive talents with the world's deepest needs.

Find the Chapel's Student Ministries team in room 0037 of the Chapel basement. To get there, enter through the basement door facing to the Bryan Center and the room will be immediately on your right. Watch a video that shows how to get there.

Chapel Scholars

Chapel Scholars is an ecumenical Christian program, which means that participating students come from a wide range of Christian traditions. Many Chapel Scholar students also participate in other Religious Life groups, and are encouraged to foster a sense of cooperation and hospitality across ministry groups.
 

• Learn more
• Apply

Student Engagement Opportunities

Students engage with the Chapel through a range of programs, fellowships, and groups described here:

C. Eric Lincoln Theology & Arts Fellowship

The C. Eric Lincoln Fellowship is a semester-long program that 1) provides funding to an undergraduate student for a sacred art project and 2) invites the fellow to broaden the reach of artistic expression at the Chapel. Applicants must be active students in good standing at Duke. The fellowship runs the length of the spring  semester. The Lincoln Fellow is expected to produce a visual art exhibit to be displayed in Duke Chapel.
 

• Learn more
• Apply

Chapel Choirs

Chapel Music aims to create high-quality musical experiences, while giving glory to God and stirring the hearts and minds of all those it reaches. Duke students are invited to join one of the Chapel’s three choirs to learn music, form friendships, and be inspired. All students interested in singing are invited to audition at the beginning of each semester.
 

• Learn more
• Audition

Courses

The Chapel dean and other staff members teach courses that bridge faith and learning.

 

 

 

Graduate and Professional Students

Graduate and professional students are involved in every aspect of the Chapel's mission and ministries. Below are programs, events, and gathering opportunities we offer that welcome graduate and professional students. We invite you to join us!

 

• Learn more

Grants, Awards, and Fellowships

One way the Chapel supports students and the wider Duke community in bridging faith and learning is by offering grants, awards, and fellowships for purposes ranging from community service to mission trips to training in the arts. For some awards only Duke undergraduate students are eligible; other awards are open to other people.
 

• Learn more

Mission Trips

Each year, Student Ministries leads mission trips for undergraduate students over spring break. These trips provide opportunities for service, reflection, and making new friendships within the body of Christ.
 

• Learn more

 

Research Opportunities

The Chapel partners with other campus departments and units on research projects related to the Duke Chapel Recordings digital archives. Students are part of these research teams. Projects have included:

• When I Was a Stranger: Immigration, Preaching and Religious Imagination (2020-2021), Bass Connections
• #MyVoiceMyBody: Minoritized Bodies in the Pulpit at Duke Chapel (2019-2020), Bass Connections
• #MyVoiceMyBody: Minoritized Bodies in the Pulpit at Duke Chapel (Summer 2019), Story+

 

Student Preacher

Each spring, one Duke undergraduate student is selected to preach in the Chapel's Sunday morning worship service. All undergraduate students are welcome to apply. Sermons should be based upon one or more of the lectionary scripture texts for that Sunday and should be on a topic deemed appropriate to the worship context.
 

• Learn more

Student Workers

The Chapel hires students for a variety of jobs from worship coordination to communications.

• Learn more and apply

United in Praise

This student group is an undergraduate gospel choir that professes the Christian faith through song and dance. Watch a video about the group:

Worship Leadership

Duke students are invited to participate in the Chapel’s weekly services by serving as ushers, lectors, communion servers, Scripture readers or also by leading prayers.

• Contact the Chapel’s assistant dean