Michael DeLashmutt Is New Director of Studies

Dr Michael W. DeLashmutt has joined Sarum's academic staff to lead the college’s academic programmes as  director of studies and oversee the focused growth of the College’s undergraduate and postgraduate curriculum in core areas of theology, spirituality, liturgy, arts and culture, and leadership. 

He also plans to develop an innovative new master’s degree programme in Theology, Culture and the Arts and to offer independent study opportunities in his research areas:  theology and culture, the theological implications of contemporary technology, ecclesiology, and practical theology.

“Sarum College is a place where people from ecclesial and academic institutions all over the world come for intellectual and spiritual refreshment,” says DeLashmutt. “It offers world-class scholarship to nourish the intellect within a hospitable Christian community to nourish the spirit.  I look forward to helping to shape the future of the college’s academic programme.” 

“We are delighted that Michael is joining our leadership team,” says the Reverend Canon Keith Lamdin, principal of Sarum College.  “He brings a wealth of experience in both the Church and the academy. With his leadership and contribution – particularly in the areas of theology, arts and culture – our education programme will continue to develop and flourish.”

DeLashmutt is a steering committee member of the Ecclesiological Investigations Research Network, the Association of University Departments of Theology and Religious Studies, a founding member of the Centre for Learning Church at the University of Exeter, a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and the co-chair of the Paul Ricoeur consultation at the American Academy of Religion.

An active member in many international and national scholarly societies, he speaks regularly at conferences and workshops around the world.  He is completing two manuscripts: Theology and  Popular Culture (SCM) and a monograph, Theology, Technology and Imagination, which stems from his doctoral work.   He formerly lectured in the study of the Christian Church at the University of Exeter and in practical theology at the University of Aberdeen.

Alongside his academic development objectives,  DeLashmutt plans to raise the College’s profile on ecumenical dialogue, an interest that stems in part from his personal background:

“As someone who was baptised a Methodist, raised a Baptist, ordained as a Pastor in an independent Pentecostal Church, confirmed as a Lutheran, worshipped with the Church of Scotland, received into the Episcopal Church and now pursuing ordination in the Church of England, my spiritual biography is an example of contemporary ecumenism!’ 
 
DeLashmutt earned his PhD at the University of Glasgow in the Centre for Literature, Theology and the Arts in the Department of Theology. His earlier degrees are from the United States, where he earned an MA in Theology and Biblical Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary in California and a BA in Biblical Literature and Theology from Northwest University in Washington.