Chanequa Walker-Barnes
Professor of practical theology and pastoral counseling, Columbia Theological Seminary
The Rev. Dr. Chanequa Walker-Barnes is a professor of practical theology and pastoral counseling at Columbia Theological Seminary. Walker-Barnes, who previously served at McAfee School of Theology at Mercer University, uses an interdisciplinary approach in her teaching and research, drawing upon pastoral theology, womanist/feminist theology, cultural studies and the social sciences. She is the author of the book, "Too Heavy a Yoke: Black Women and the Burden of Strength."
Walker-Barnes also previously taught at Shaw University Divinity School in Raleigh, North Carolina; the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; and the University of Florida.
She holds bachelor's degrees in psychology and African-American/African studies from Emory University; a master's and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Miami; and an M.Div. from Duke Divinity School.
Link to author Chanequa Walker-Barnes
Lilly Endowment Inc. announces Exploring Christian Practices Initiative
The Exploring Christian Practices Initiative aims to multiply opportunities and increase access to settings that help individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds explore and engage in Christian practices to address their spiritual interests and questions, find and build community with others, nourish their religious lives and grow in faith.
In this open and competitive initiative, the Endowment invites charitable organizations to submit proposals for grants of up to $2.5 million each that may be used for up to a five-year period to develop new and/or enhance existing programs that present promising strategies for advancing the aim of the initiative and provide compelling and thoughtful responses to its guiding questions. The Endowment anticipates awarding approximately 60 grants and announcing grant awards in December 2026.
The Endowment will host four virtual information sessions (February 17, 19, 24, and 25) to discuss the Exploring Christian Practices guidelines for submitting a proposal. An Interest Form and Letter of Interest are due March 25, 2026. Complete proposals are due May 18, 2026.
Learn More and register for information sessions