Mara Lief Crabtree, D.Min.

Bio

Dr. Mara Lief Crabtree began teaching at Regent as an adjunct in 1992, then as visiting professor, and in 1999 became the first woman hired as a full-time faculty member in the School of Divinity. She is a graduate of the Doctor of Ministry program in Christian Spirituality, Wesley Theological Seminary; the Master’s of Pastoral Studies, with concentration in Ecclesial Ministry, Loyola University of New Orleans Institute for Ministry; Diploma in the Art of Spiritual Direction, San Francisco Theological Seminary, and Master’s in Practical Theology, Regent’s School of Divinity.

Crabtree teaches in the areas of Christian Spirituality, Women’s Studies and Practical Ministry in the master’s and Doctor of Ministry programs, and is also published in these areas. She serves as chairperson for the Curriculum Committee and Divinity representative for the University’s Curriculum and Instruction Review Committee (CIRC). Crabtree is the recipient of the 2011 Chancellor’s Award for University faculty member of the year, and was awarded School of Divinity faculty member of the year in 1999, 2003 and 2007.

Crabtree completed her doctoral immersion requirements in Poland, visiting Holocaust sites including Auschwitz, Birkenau, Treblinka, the former Warsaw Ghetto and other sites, studying the realities related to the spirituality and suffering of the Jewish people in Poland. She was first ordained in the oldest church in the Commonwealth, St. Luke’s, Smithfield, Virginia, and now maintains holy orders as a priest with the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches. As a member of the Order of St. Luke, an international Christian ecumenical order with the purpose of supporting the ministry of healing in the Christian tradition,

Crabtree has served as chaplain and United States Region 2 representative for Virginia chapters. She has also served several years on the board of Mid-Atlantic Teen Challenge.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Christian Spirituality
Spiritual Formation
The Ministry of Healing from a Biblical Perspective
Spiritual Direction
Importance of Liturgies to Spiritual Formation

Credentials

B.A., Baptist Christian College; Diploma in Spiritual Direction, San Francisco Theological Seminary; M.A., Regent University School of Divinity; M.P.S., Loyola University of New Orleans; D.Min., Wesley Theological Seminary

Publications

Doctoral Dissertation:

"A Still Place of Your Presence: Building Intentional Community for Prayer," Wesley Theological Seminary, May, 1999.

Book Chapters:

"‘Forbid Not the Little Ones’: The Spirituality of Children in Celtic Christian Tradition” Chapter 5 in Nurturing Children’s Spirituality: Christian Perspectives and Best Practices, ed. Holly Catterton Allen, 78-92. Eugene, OR: Cascade, 2008.

Blogs:

“Techno-detoxing and the Discipline of Retreat.” The Cornerstone, Regent University Faculty Blog, April 2013.

“Women Making History.” The Cornerstone, Regent University Faculty blog, submitted March, 2013.

“The Scholar’s Vocation.” The Cornerstone, Regent University Faculty blog, submitted January, 2013.

“Seasons: the Church Year and the Academic Year.” The Cornerstone, Regent University Faculty blog, submitted December, 2012.

“The Choice to Drift or to Remember.” The Cornerstone, Regent University Faculty Blog, November, 2012.

“Ora et Labora in Academic Life.” The Cornerstone, Regent University Faculty Blog, October, 2012.

“The Dangers of Theological Education.” The Cornerstone, Regent University Faculty Blog, September, 2012.

Published Reviews:

A Christian Woman’s Secret: A Modern-Day Journey to God by Lilian Staveley in Regent University Library Blog Posted July 18, 2012 at http://librarylink.regent.edu/?p=1381

Review of Jesus and the Feminists: Who Do They Say That He Is? by Margaret Elizabeth Kostenberger, (Wheaton, Crossway, 2008), Pneuma Review, Posted January, 2014.

Review of The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment by Tim Challies. Pneuma Review Vol. 14, Number 4 (Fall 2011) pp. 77-79.

Review of Dissident Discipleship: A Spirituality of Self-Surrender, Love of God, and Love of Neighbor, by David Augsburger, Pneuma Review Vol. 14 Number 3 (Summer 2011): 61-63.

Review of Spiritual Formation as if the Church Mattered: Growing in Christ through Community by James C. Wilhoit, Pneuma Review Vol. 13 Number 3, (Summer 2010).

Review of Greatest Challenges of Pastoral Care: Healing From the Pain of Sexual Assault, by Jennifer Cisney in Enrichment Journal for Pneuma Review Vol. 13, Number 2, Spring 2010.

Review of Restructuring Practical Theology: The Impact of Globalization, by John Reader, Religious Studies Review Vol. 35 Issue 2 (June 2009): 123.

Review of Answering the Call in the Spirit: Pentecostal Reflections on a Theology of Vocation, Work and Life, by Terry L. Cross, Pneuma Review Vol. 11, Number 4 (Fall 2008): 63-64.

Review of Evangelical Feminism: A New Path to Liberalism by Wayne Grudem, Religious Studies Review Vol. 33 Issue 2 (April 2007): 114-115.

Encyclopedias: Core, Interpretive and Lead-in Articles

"Art (Painting)" (1180 wds.) Article for the Encyclopedia of Christian Education. George Kurian and Mark Lamport, eds. Blackwell. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 2014.

"Art (Sculpture)" (746 wds.) Article for the Encyclopedia of Christian Education. George Kurian and Mark Lamport, eds. Blackwell. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 2014.

"Biblical Theology of Christian Academics" (1500 wds.) Article for the Encyclopedia of Christian Education. George Kurian and Mark Lamport, eds. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 2014.

"Christian Education in Difficult Circumstances" (Lead-in article for Section 15; 2,800 words). The Encyclopedia of Christian Education. George Kurian and Mark Lammport, eds. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 2014.

"Online Education for Theological Schools" (758 wds.) Article for the Encyclopedia of Christian Education. George Kurian and Mark Lamport, eds. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 2014.

"Rights of Women" (750 wds.) Article for the Encyclopedia of Christian Education. George Kurian and Mark Lamport, eds. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 2014.

"Spiritual Formation" (2300 wds.) Article for the Encyclopedia of Christian Education. George Kurian and Mark Lamport, eds. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 2014.

"Spirituality in Christian Education" (900 words) Article for the Encyclopedia of Christian Education. George Kurian and Mark Lamport, eds. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 2014.

"Art-Painting,” core article in The Encyclopedia of Christian Civilization, ed, George Kurian. Oxford, England: Blackwell, 2008.

"Art-Sculpture", core article in The Encyclopedia of Christian Civilization, ed. George Kurian. Oxford, England: Blackwell, 2008.

"Rights of Women" interpretive article (1,000 words) in The Encyclopedia of Christian Civilization, ed. George Kurian. Oxford, England: Blackwell, 2008.

"Spirituality,” core article in The Encyclopedia of Christian Civilization, ed. George Kurian. Oxford, England: Blackwell, 2008.

"Spiritual Formation", core article in The Encyclopedia of Christian Civilization, ed. George Kurian. Oxford, England: Blackwell, 2008.

Journal and Other Articles:

"Gina Marie: Healing on Four Paws," in Sharing: A Journal of Christian Healing. Vol. 80, No. 4, (July/August, 2012) 2-5.

"The Ministry of the Prayer Cloth: Nine Dimensions of Biblical Healing," in Sharing: A Journal of Christian Healing. Vol. 78 No. 6 (Nov./Dec. 2010) 14-16.

"A Wounded "Baby Jesus": Icon of Healing," in Sharing: A Journal of Christian Healing. Vol. 78 No. 6 (Nov./Dec. 2010) 4-6.

"Spiritual Formation and the Role of the Holy Spirit in Counseling" with Eric Scalise. Christian Counseling Today. Vol. 16 No. 4 (Fall, 2009): 26-28.

"Oil of Healing," in Sharing: A Journal of Christian Healing. Vol 77 No. 4 (May 2009): 9.

"Renewing our Vision for Healing Missions," in Sharing: A Journal of Christian Healing Vol. 76, No. 5 (June/July, 2008): 7-11.

"Forbid Not the Little Ones": The Spirituality of Children in Celtic Christian Tradition.” Christian Education Journal Series 3, Vol. 4, No. 2 (Fall 2007): 238-251.

"The Meaning of Knowledge in Judeo-Christian Perspective: Understanding and Application for Contemporary Contexts.” The International Journal of Knowledge, Culture and Change Management: Proceedings of the Management Conference. Refereed Journal, Fall/Winter, 2004.

"‘Surely God is in this place . . .’ Reflections on ‘holy ground.’" Seminary Ridge Review: Journal of the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, PA. Vol. 1, Number 3, Summer, 1999.

"Hymns of Healing, Songs of Assurance." Sharing: A Journal of Christian Healing. San Antonio: Order of St. Luke, April, 2002.

"Lent: A Spirituality of Waiting." Lenten Meditations. Virginia Beach: Episcopal Church in American, Emmanuel Episcopal Church. February, 2002.

"A New Community for Intentional Prayer is Formed." Treasures Old and New. Journal of the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches. Issue 4: Pentecost Season, 1999.

"From Glory to Glory" in SpiritLed Woman, Vol. 1, 1, Aug/Sept. 1998.

Scholarly Papers, Presentations and Conferences:

"The Meaning of Knowledge in Judeo-Christian Perspective: Understanding and Application for Contemporary Contexts." Paper presented for The Fourth International Conference on Knowledge, Culture and Change in Organizations; University of Greenwich, London, United Kingdom, Sept., 2004.

Referee for Scholarly Papers: For the Fourth International Conference on Knowledge, Culture and Change in Organisations [sic], University of Greenwich, London, UK; for publication in the International Journal of Knowledge, Culture and Change Management.

"The Government Upon His Shoulders: Exploring the Impact of the English Bible in United States Presidential Inaugural Speeches." Paper presented for Tyndale Society, Fall Conference, 2004, Regent University.

"Communication or Communion? Promoting Authentic Interaction in Online Education for Theological Schools." Paper presented at the International Online Conference for Teaching Online in Higher Education, Nov. 9, 1999.

"The Sacrament of Reconciliation." The Order of St. Luke, Region 2, US, Annual Conference, Orkney Springs, VA, May, 2012.

"Immersion in Healing Prayer." The Order of St. Luke, Region 2, US, Annual Conference, Orkney Springs, VA, May, 2012.

"An Hour in the Presence of Jesus: Experiencing Immersion in Healing Prayer." Workshops presented at the Order of St. Luke, Region 2, US, 34th Annual Healing Conference, Orkney Springs, VA, May 23-26, 2011.

"Understanding the Generational Healing Eucharist: A Biblical Theology of Healing and Wholeness." Presentation to International Order of St. Luke, Region II, U.S., Tidewater Chapter, October, 2010.

"Theological and Formational Reflection." Lecture/seminar presentation to Hampton Roads, area chaplaincy CPE students, including interns from Howard University and Union Theological Seminary. By invitation of the Rev. Dr. Joel Harvey and the Rev. Dr. Suzanne Rice Deets, supervisors; Sentara CarePlex Hospital, Hampton, VA, October, 2010.

"The Way of the Cross: Remembering Jesus' Passion as a Journey to Healing and Wholeness." Workshops presented at the Order of St. Luke Region II, US, Yearly Conference, Orkney Springs, VA, May, 2009.

"The Meal That Heals: Examining and Experiencing the Eucharist." Workshops presented at the Order of St. Luke Region II, US, Yearly Conference, Orkney Springs, VA, May, 2006.

"The Jobian Dilemma: Building Faith in Adversity as Choice and Process: A Biblical Perspective." Paper presented at the Christian Association for Psychological Studies; Eastern Regional Conference; Bethesda, MD Fall, 2002

"Christian Spirituality in the Celtic Tradition: Paradigms for Counseling." paper written for the 3rd Annual Conference on Spirituality and Counseling. Presented by Dr. Peter Prosser, School of Divinity. Gannon University, Fall, 2000.

"Self Fulfillment, Self-Denial and Self-Giving: A Need for Definition." Collaboration with Dr. George Jefferson, School of Psychology and Counseling. Paper presented at the Christian Association for Psychological Studies; Eastern Regional Conference; Waymart, PA, Fall, 2000.

"Forgiveness as Idea and Practice: The Meaning of Forgiveness in Christian Theological Context." Collaboration with Dr. George Jefferson, School of Psychology and Counseling. Paper presented at the Christian Association for Psychological Studies, East. Conference; Sandy Cove, Maryland, October 10, 1999.

United States and/or Regional U. S. at Regent University:

"Prayer and Intercession." Presentation for the Global Week of Worship, Day of Intercession; Regent University November 10, 2011.

"Apologetics for Women in Ministry." Women in Ministry conference workshop session; Regent University, October, 2011.

"Ordination." Women in Ministry Conference workshop sessions; Regent University, October, 2010.

"Dealing with Opposition in Ministry." Women in Ministry Conference panel presentation; Regent University, October, 2010.

Women in Pentecostal-Charismatic Leadership Colloquium. Response to Dr. Gaston Espinoza, "Third Class Soldiers": A History of Hispanic Pentecostal Women in Ministry in the U.S." Regent University, June, 2007.

Women in Pentecostal-Charismatic Leadership Colloquium. Response to Cheryl Bridges Johns, "Spirited Vestments: Why the Anointing is not Enough." Regent University, Feb. 2007.

Women in Pentecostal-Charismatic Leadership Colloquium. Response to Barbara Cavaness, "How Leadership Attitudes Impact Ministering Women: Historical and Missionary Perspectives." Regent University, Oct., 2006.

Azusa Street Lectures: Fire on Azusa Street: Remembering and Revisioning. Response to Dr. Steven Land, Regent University, April 4, 2002.

Women in Ministry. Response to Dr. Judy Brown. The Azusa Street Lectures, Regent University, April 22, 1998.

Affiliations

Order of St. Luke, Chaplain Tidewater Chapter; OSL Region II United States: Representative for Virginia Chapters; Spiritual Formation Alliance; The Pneuma Foundation

Awards

Regent University Chancellor's Award for Faculty Excellence, 2011 Faculty Award for Excellence: Service, Spring, 2011

Regent University Distinctive Service Awards (5-year and 10-year) Faculty Member of the Year, 2007 Faculty Member of the Year, 2003 Faculty Member of the Year, 1999