The Rev'd Dr. Michael Matlock, Rector

The Rev'd Dr. Michael D. Matlock became the fourth rector of Christ Anglican Church in Cashiers, North Carolina on July 2, 2023.  After an extensive search and review of candidates, the search committee and vestry gave unanimous consent and the bishop affirmed the selection of Fr. Michael.  A letter of agreement was signed on Palm Sunday, April 2, 2023. 

 

This agreement marked Fr. Michael and his wife Robin's year-long commitment of praying and fasting that commenced on Easter Sunday, April 17, 2022.  During this discernment process, the Matlocks briefly lodged in Angel Fire, New Mexico, as part of a his faculty research sabbatical.  While experiencing the beauty, renewal, and inspiration of the mountains, the Matlocks boldly asked God to place them in some type of mountain setting to experience and share the Lord's life-giving love, beauty, goodness, truth, and wholeness.  They desired a place where both Robin and Fr. Michael could flourish.  They wanted a setting to fulfill their calling to share transformative, emotionally healthy, healing spirituality for Jesus' followers, agnostics, atheists, and spiritually curious people.

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In the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, Fr. Michael leads the parish of Christ Anglican Church in offering all people an opportunity to experience Jesus' wholistic redemptive transformation and a church community where healthy, life-giving discipleship is encountered. 

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Fr. Matlock joined the Asbury Theological Seminary faculty in 1998. He was co-director of Anglican Studies and Formation as well as a tenured full professor of Inductive Biblical Studies, Old Testament, and Early Judaism and affiliate professor of Anglican History and Polity.  He also chaired the department of Inductive Biblical Studies.  For 24 years he has served the church in ordained ministry, first as a presbyter in another denomination and then as a priest in the Anglican Diocese of the South. He served most recently as interim priest-in-charge at St. Andrew’s Anglican in Versailles, KY.  Matlock resigned from Asbury Theological Seminary on June 30, 2023.

 

Commenting on Matlock’s more recent tenure at Asbury Seminary, Dean David Bauer said, “Dr. Michael Matlock has been a valued faculty member and faculty colleague for over fifteen years. He is an original and perceptive scholar, an engaging and effective teacher, and a careful and skilled administrator. He has been a dear friend to all of us, and he will be greatly missed.”