Ordained to ministry in the non-denominational tradition, Dr. Lakisha R. Lockhart recognizes the importance of teaching Christian education for the strengthening of the church. Because she feels that theological education is grounded in both academic and ecclesial contexts, her students are assigned to participate in their congregations and communities as a part of their educational experience. Her focus on practical pedagogy is not only to develop more committed and knowledgeable educators and ministers, but also more committed and knowledgeable congregants.

Dr. Lockhart’s research interests are in the areas of religious education: practical, liberation, and Womanist theologies; ethics and society; multiple intelligences; embodied faith and pedagogies; theological aesthetics’ theopoetics; creativity, imagination, and play. Her teaching takes seriously the benefits and necessity of play, movement, aesthetics, creative arts, and embodiment. For Lockhart, the body is a focus for doing theology and theological reflection.

She has authored and co-authored numerous publications and book chapters, including United Against Racism: Churches for Change: Facilitator’s Guide; “Enfleshing Catechesis Through Embodied Space” in the book, Together Along the Way: Conversations Inspired by the Directory for Catechesis; “Let’s Dance: Zumba and the Imago Dei of Beautiful Black Bodies” in The Other Journal: An Intersection of Theology & Culture; and, “My Wildest Dream: A Letter to My Black Son” in Religious Education. Lockhart also was featured in the “Just Womanist” series for The Katie Geneva Cannon Center for Womanist Leadership.

Her awards and honors include “Millennial Womanist to Watch” from The Millennial Womanist Project, “Images of Success” from Claflin University, and a First Wornom Innovative Grant from the Religious Education Association Project.