Lipscomb mourns the loss of Dr. Mike Matheny
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Dr. Matheny, 50, was a professional educator for more than a decade and dedicated much of his career to campus and adult ministries. He specialized in practical ministry courses, including ministry, family ministry, educating adolescents and ministerial care. He also taught graduate-level courses in campus ministry, issues facing youth and families and introduction to Christian Education.
“The College of Bible and Ministry and our students feel a deep sense of loss in the passing of Mike Matheny. Mike was a wonderful friend and colleague who tirelessly served our college in many ways, most recently as department chair. Although his training and experience were more in campus ministry, he handled a broad range of ministry courses,” said Terry Briley, Dean, College of Bible and Ministry.
“He meticulously prepared our class schedules and advised a large number of our majors. When he was first diagnosed with cancer, we saw vividly how much our students appreciate and care for him. We will miss him greatly and are considering appropriate ways to honor his service at Lipscomb in an ongoing fashion.”
Dr. Matheny is being remembered for his servant leadership.
“Mike was a professor who was willing to do whatever he was asked to do. He worked diligently behind-the-scenes to make a difference in the lives of students and to the university. He spent a lot of time with students and was patient with them. He served them. He was a true servant to the College of Bible and its students,” said President Randy Lowry.
Dr. Matheny also served as the director of adult education at Brentwood Hills Church of Christ in Nashville, where he coordinated a group of writers from the congregation to develop the curriculum for that ministry.
“Mike had a heart for ministry and has played a instrumental role in the development of a strong adult education program and curriculum at Brentwood Hills. Through his ministry here and his illness, Mike has touched people throughout the world,” said Walt Leaver, vice president of university relations at Lipscomb and minister of Brentwood Hills Church of Christ.
Dr. Matheny graduated from Tennessee Tech University in 1980 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. His heart for ministry led him to change career paths and he completed a M.Th. degree(now known as the M.Div.) at Harding Graduate School of Religion in Memphis in 1984. He completed his Doctor of Ministry degree at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, finishing that work in 1993. He served for many years as a campus minister for the students at Tennessee Tech University while on staff at Collegeside Church of Christ.
Dr. Matheny is survived by his wife, Sharon, and their sons Markus and Thomas.
The funeral and visitation will be at Brentwood Hills Church of Christ, 5120 Franklin Rd., Nashville TN 37220. Visitation is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 15, from 4-8 p.m. and Friday, Nov. 16, 1-2 p.m. followed by the funeral at 2:00 p.m. Arrangements provided by Woodbine Funeral Home, Hickory Chapel.