Dr. Lisa Kimball, Associate Dean of Lifelong Learning and the James Maxwell Professor of Lifelong Christian Formation
Elisabeth (Lisa) M. Kimball, Ph.D. is the Associate Dean of Lifelong Learning and the James Maxwell Professor of Lifelong Christian Formation. She joined the VTS faculty in 2009. Her areas of expertise include human development, experiential learning, faith formation, church history, and popular culture, adult formation, lay ministry development, adolescent spiritual development, and program evaluation.
Dr. Kimball received her Ph.D. in Work, Community, and Family Education from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Her dissertation, “Being Godparent: A Dialogical Hermeneutic Study of Godparenthood” wove together her interests in human development, experiential learning, faith formation, church history, and popular culture. She earned an M.Ed. in Youth Development Leadership from the University of Minnesota in 2001, and an A.B. in Human Biology with a concentration in Cross-Cultural Communications from Stanford University in 1980.
Since joining the Practical Theology faculty at VTS, Dr. Kimball has focused her teaching and research on lifelong, life-wide, and life-deep discipleship and Christian vocation in contemporary, global and post institutional contexts. She is a passionate advocate for lay ministry, the full inclusion of all generations, digital literacy, and leaders who are confident teachers of the faith.
In addition to frequent keynote presentations (diocesan conventions, clergy conferences, religious education guilds, and networks), Dr. Kimball’s commitment to the wider church currently includes serving as Chair of the Standing Committee on Formation and Ministry of the Baptized; co-founding of the Episcopal Confirmation Collaborative; serving on the Way of Love resource development team, and being the Episcopal representative on the Journey to Baptismal Living faculty team writing an ecumenical rite for the catechumenate. She was recently recognized by the board of Episcopal Camps and Conference Centers for her dedication to building faith forming immersive experiences.
