DEAN LEMLER ACCEPTS POST WITH EPISCOPAL CHURCH CENTER

James B. Lemler, Dean and President of Seabury-Western Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois has accepted the position of Director of Mission for the Episcopal Church in the USA.

In making the formal announcement, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, the Most Rev. Frank Griswold, observed, “ I am delighted and pleased that Dean Lemler has accepted this very important position which is crucial in giving direction to the mission energies of our Church. His broad experience in overseeing and assisting others in articulating program that carries forward Christ’s continuing ministry of reconciliation will serve us all well in the days ahead.”

The Very Rev. Dr. Lemler has been Dean and President of Seabury since the fall of 1998. Under his direction the seminary has significantly strengthened its leadership position in curriculum development, its doctoral program in congregational development and in building strong volunteer leadership and financial support. The seminary’s Seabury Institute has an enrollment of more than 100 in its Doctor of Ministry Program in Congregational Development. Enrollment in masters degree programs has also increased.

In responding to the appointment, Dean Lemler said “this is indeed an important time for mission awareness and initiative in the life of the Episcopal Church at virtually every level, and I am pleased to serve in this capacity. I am thankful for all the communities of faith which have prepared me for this work, including congregations, dioceses, a college chaplaincy, an Episcopal school and Seabury-Western Theological Seminary. I look forward to the future mission of our Church with great joy.”

The scope of Lemler’s new position is broad, including the areas of Anglican and Global Relations, Congregational Development, Ethnic Congregational Development, Migration Ministries, Peace and Justice Ministries, Women’s Ministries and Ministries with Young People. He will also serve as a member of the Management Team of the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society, the corporate entity of the Episcopal Church.

In 2000, Seabury successfully completed a campaign for $2.4 million to construct Sommer-Seabury Hall, which houses faculty offices, library stacks and the reception area. The seminary is currently in the preliminary stages of a larger campaign to increase endowments for faculty positions and student scholarships, and to upgrade student residence facilities. During Dean Lemler’s tenure, the Seabury faculty completed curriculum revisions, creating a new comprehensive course “Gospel Mission” required of all students, and established a renewed focus on mission and church growth. A generous foundation grant enabled the seminary to carry forward several key programs, including a major survey of ordained clergy to identify characteristics of successful leaders. Results of that research will be published this year.

Dean Lemler brings exceptional background and experience to his new post. In addition to serving six years as Dean and President of Seabury, he served for 17 years as rector of a major Indianapolis parish with the only Episcopal school in that city, and as a former college chaplain. He is a highly regarded leader for the Episcopal Church at the national, diocesan and congregational levels, and has been much in demand as a teacher, writer, conference leader, preacher and consultant in areas of congregational development, leadership development, education, spirituality and mission. He helped launch the church’s 20/20 vision, and has continued to write and speak on issues related to the mission and leadership of the church. At the time he came to Seabury, Lemler was chair of the church’s Standing Commission on Domestic Mission and Evangelism. He was a founding board member of the Consortium of Endowed Episcopal Parishes and was president from 1988-1993.

Seabury Board Chair Salme Harju Steinberg acknowledged Dean Lemler’s significant contributions to the seminary and added, “Dean Lemler’s leadership has been a tremendous asset for Seabury. While that leadership will be missed, we are grateful for the more than six years he has committed to the life and work of the seminary. Because of his leadership here and in his new position, Seabury students, past, present and future will always receive special recognition as they serve the Church in parishes across the country.” Lemler will begin his work with the National Church in late summer.

Lemler completed his undergraduate degree at DePauw University, his M. Div. at Nashotah House and his doctorate at Christian Theological Seminary. He also studied at the University of Oxford. He and his wife Sharon have three daughters.