Facebook pixel David Lemley | Pepperdine University | Seaver College Skip to main content
Pepperdine | Seaver College
David Lemley Faculty Profile

David Lemley

Professor of Religion
Religion and Philosophy Division, Seaver College
APC 275
310.506.4281

Biography

David Lemley brings a lifelong interest in spiritual life, the arts, and Christian community to his work as a professor. David is a Pepperdine alumnus (Seaver, ‘94), with professional experience in youth ministry, worship planning, and university chaplaincy. He enjoys teaching and learning about the relationship of Christianity to everyday experience. David grew up in West Texas, which is now a favorite vacation destination for his wife, Angie, and their three sons. In addition to those four people, he loves music, road trips, poetry, movie nights, and hearing about something you think he should definitely check out.

Education

  • PhD Theology: Worship and Culture, Fuller Theological Seminary, 2013
  • MDiv Fuller Theological Seminary, 2005
  • MA History and Theology, Abilene Christian University, 2002
  • BA Religion, Pepperdine University, 1994

 

Book:

Journals and Periodicals:

  • “Biblical Worship and Mission in Context: Mission and Churches of Christ in Crisis, 1967–1988.” In Missio Dei: A Journal of Missional Theology and Praxis 8, no. 2 (Summer–Fall) 2017.
  • “Wisdom and Congregational Mission.” Leaven: A Journal of Christian Ministry 24 (1), 2016.
  • “‘Come, Now, As We Stand:’ Baptism in Faith, Life, and Sunday Worship.” Leaven: A Journal of Christian Ministry 22 (4), 2015.
  • With Christine Suh:  “A Crisis of Community,” in Conversations: A Forum for Authentic Transformation. Fall/Winter 2015 (13.2), 42-47.

Contributing Author and Hymn Editor:

  • A Teaching Hymnal: Ecumenical and Evangelical. Ed. Clayton Schmit. Eugene: Cascade, 2018.

Professional Memberships:

  • American Academy of Religion
  • American Hymn Society
  • Association of Practical Theology
  • North American Academy of Liturgy
  • The Society for the Study of Christian Spirituality

Teaching Grants and Programs:

  • Pepperdine University Academic Year Research Initiative Grant
  • Seaver College Faculty/Student Mentorship Program
  • SEED (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity) Program

  • "Contemporary Worship Music (CWM) as Functional Sacrament: Observations about Affect and Ordo." North American Academy of Liturgy Annual Meeting. Denver, CO, January 4, 2019.

  • “A Worshiping Community of Composers: Jacques Attali and Liturgical Participation.” North American Academy of Liturgy Annual Meeting. Houston, TX, January 9, 2016.

  • “The Legacy of Mission Journal: Reflections for a Missional Future” Ben Langford, panel convener. Christian Scholars Conference, Nashville, TN, June 9, 2016.

  • “Leaven Journal Presents: The Academy as a Source of Congregational Wisdom.” David Lemley, convener and presenter. Christian Scholars Conference, Abilene, TX, June 3, 2015.

  • “Contemporary Worship Music and Christian Formation: from 'Jesus People' to 'Jesus Culture.’” North American Academy of Liturgy Annual Meeting. Minneapolis, MN, January 2, 2015

  • "We Worshiped with People Who Were Not There," Presentation to the Exploring Contemporary and Alternative Worship Seminar, North American Academy of Liturgy Annual Meeting, Montreal, 2011.

 

Topics

  • Christian spirituality
  • Christian worship
  • Liturgical theology and liturgical spirituality
  • Theology and popular culture
  • Music, worship, and spiritual formation

Courses

  • Christianity and Culture: The Way of Jesus in Everyday Life
  • Calling, Career, and the Christian LIfe
  • Worship and Witness of the Church
  • Spiritual Formation and the Life of the Disciple
  • Ministry Internship and Fieldwork Supervision