Institute for Christian Spirituality

Earl Lavender is the executive director of the Institute. He teaches classes in missions, spiritual formation, and faith and culture. He currently serves as the director of missional studies at Lipscomb. He completed his B.S. and M.A. at Lipscomb and his Ph.D. at St. Louis University. Earl has ministered in Italy, Illinois, and Tennessee.
Jackie L. Halstead is the associate director of ICS and an Associate Professor of Spiritual Formation at Lipscomb. She completed her B.S. in psychology from Oklahoma Christian University, her Masters in marriage and family therapy from Abilene Christian University, and her Ph.D. in human development and family studies from Iowa State University. Jackie completed two post-doctoral programs with Shalem Institute for Spirituality in Leading Contemplative Prayer Groups and Retreats and in Spiritual Guidance.
Frank Guertin is the managing director for ICS. He completed his B.A. at Ohio Valley University and his M.Ed. and M.T.S. at Lipscomb. Frank has ministered at two different congregations in middle Tennessee, focusing on adult spiritual development. He has a personal blog featuring contemplative reflections here.
Rhonda Lowry is a senior fellow at ICS. She completed her M.Div. degree and taught at Fuller Theological Seminary and Pepperdine University. Rhonda is a frequent speaker nationwide in programs dedicated to enabling Christians to know Jesus deeply and to serve him in the everyday places of their lives.
Carl McKelvey is a senior fellow at ICS. Holding degrees from Lipscomb, Scaritt College, and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Carl served 32 years as the Executive Vice President of Administration at Lipscomb. He retired in 2002 and is currently the director of the Center for Spiritual Renewal at Longview Manor.