Date: August 31, 2021
Media Contact: Curtis Prather
Tel: (703) 461-1782
Email: [email protected]
ALEXANDRIA, VA – Virginia Theological Seminary (VTS) hails the Rev. Shawn Strout, Ph.D. ’12 as he becomes the associate dean of chapel, effective September 1, 2021.
A 2012 M.Div. cum laude graduate of Virginia Theological Seminary, Strout joined the faculty as visiting professor of worship in 2020 after teaching at VTS as an adjunct faculty member in 2018. Prior to joining the faculty, Strout served in parish ministry for over seven years at St. Paul’s K Street and the Church of the Ascension and St. Agnes in Washington, DC, as well as at Christ Church in Kensington, MD.
“My passion is teaching future leaders of the church, both lay and ordained, about the history, theology, and practice of liturgy,” said Strout. “As I teach the history of the liturgy, I love to hear students remark how so much of our present-day liturgy can be found in the ancient rites of the church. Liturgical theology helps students to see the many ways in which we speak about God through liturgy. And liturgical practice empowers students to be effective liturgical leaders.”
In addition to his M.Div. from VTS, Strout holds degrees from several institutions: his doctorate in Theology and Religious Studies (2018) and M.Phil. in Theology and Religious Studies (2016) from The Catholic University of America; an M.A. in Professional Counseling (2008), from Liberty University; an M.A. distinguished graduate, in Human Resources Development (1998), from Webster University; and a B.A. in Bible (1996), from Pensacola Christian College.
Strout is currently preparing his dissertation, “Of Thine Own Have We Given Thee:” A Liturgical Theology of the Offertory as Practiced by the Churches of the Anglican Communion, for publication. He has also written peer-reviewed articles for Studia Liturgica, The Anglican Theological Review, and Anglican and Episcopal History.
“Dr. Strout brings the best of current thinking in liturgics together with many years of church leadership,” said the Rev. Melody Knowles, Ph.D., vice president of academic affairs. “He is a superb teacher and administrator, and VTS has already benefited greatly from his gifts. I’m looking forward to the future!”
Strout is a member of the North American Academy of Liturgy, Societas Liturgica, and the past chair of the Society of Scholar Priests. He currently serves on the editorial board for Studia Liturgica. He also serves as an adjunct faculty member for the Anglican Studies certificate jointly administered by Lancaster Theological Seminary and the Stevenson School for Ministry in central Pennsylvania.
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Founded in 1823 as a beacon of hope in a country new and finding its way, Virginia Theological Seminary has led the way in forming leaders of the Episcopal Church, including the Most Rev. John E. Hines (VTS 1933, D.D. 1946), former presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church; the Rt. Rev. John T. Walker (VTS 1954, D.D. 1978), the first African American bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington; and theologian, author and lay preacher Ms. Verna J. Dozier (VTS D.D. 1978). Serving the worldwide Anglican Communion, Virginia Theological Seminary educates approximately 25% of those being ordained who received residential theological education. Visit us online: www.vts.edu.