Author

Kelly Ryan

Missioner for discipleship, Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina

 

The Rev. Deacon Kelly Ryan is missioner for discipleship in the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina. Prior to that, she worked to strengthen the communication capacity of Lilly Endowment grantees in religion through the Evaluation and Communications Project at the Indianapolis Center for Congregations. From 2020 through June 2023, she facilitated a learning community of grantees as the director of the Thriving Congregations Coordination Program. 

Prior to that, she spent 12 years as senior director of communications for Leadership Education at Duke Divinity, overseeing its online learning resource Faith & Leadership, after working as a communications strategist and newspaper reporter. 

Since ordination as a vocational deacon in 2024, she has served as deacon and children’s minister at St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church in Durham, North Carolina. Ryan holds a Master of Divinity degree, a certificate in Christian education and an MA in Christian practice from Duke Divinity School, as well as a BA in journalism and political science from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill.

‘I eat Christ.’

By Kelly Ryan Missioner for discipleship, Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina

A two-year-old’s joy at taking communion reminds us that the resurrection is about saying yes, writes Kelly Gilmer.

Tim Soerens

Applications now open for Reflective Leadership Grants

“This was a game-changer for us. The chance to climb up from the ‘dance floor’ of our everyday activity and discern a clarified organization future from the ‘balcony’ was the gift we needed even more than we understood at the time.

If possible, please pursue this extraordinary opportunity.”

— Tim Soerens, Parish Collective

Christian leaders from a variety of roles are welcome to apply. The grants provide “balcony time” to reflect on accomplishments, broaden perspectives and discern next steps. The application deadline is May 2, 2025.

Learn more