Mission director James Lemler accepts call to Connecticut parish

November 06, 2007 [Episcopal News Service] The Rev. Dr. James B. Lemler, who has served since 2004 as the Episcopal Church's director of mission, has accepted a call from Christ Church, Greenwich, Connecticut, to serve as priest-in-charge of the historic parish.

The call, received from the parish wardens and vestry, was announced at the Episcopal Church Center on November 6 by Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori.

"I have been especially grateful for Jim's gifted and enthusiastic service to the Church as Director of Mission, and lament his departure," Jefferts Schori wrote in a message to all staff, adding her appreciation that Lemler has agreed to continue to assist with the ongoing staff reorganization now in progress at the Episcopal Church Center in New York. "The challenge of this change and its timing are a reminder that the Spirit rarely calls when we are ready."

The Presiding Bishop asked the staff to join her "in giving thanks for Jim's ministry among us, and rejoice with him as he looks for new challenges in a parish community of faith. We'll all get to watch how he puts what he teaches into action!"

"We are extremely excited about Dr. Lemler joining Christ Church, Greenwich, as priest-in-charge," said the parish's senior warden, Ted Pryor. "He is an acclaimed, preacher, speaker and leader in the Episcopal Church and has served the church on a national and international level for years.

"This is an exciting opportunity for Christ Church Greenwich and commences an important new era for our community," Pryor added. "We look forward to strengthening our faith community and working together to continue to build on the glorious heritage of Christ Church Greenwich."

In a letter to staff and churchwide colleagues, Lemler expressed his thanks for the "collegiality and support which have been shown during my ministry here," and "the privilege of serving" two Presiding Bishops -- Jefferts Schori and now-retired Bishop Frank Griswold -- praising "their vision and leadership."

"I have grown through my association with many partners in ministry who have helped to develop the mission focus and life of this church nationally and internationally," he added.

"It is a time of mission renewal and focus for the Episcopal Church," Lemler noted. "I am thankful to have played a part as the Director of Mission and in various other roles of service in congregational and wider church settings. I look forward to the years ahead in parish ministry and to the contributions which I will be able to make in a vibrant local community of faith."

He described Christ Church as "a lively parish with many hopeful expressions of mission, service, worship, learning and community life. It will be a joy to serve as a pastor and leader within this congregation."

Lemler, 55, is a nationally known leader, educator, consultant, preacher, and pastor. Before serving the Episcopal Church as director of mission, he was from 1998 to 2004 dean and president of the Evanston, Illinois-based Seabury-Western Theological Seminary, a nationally and internationally recognized institution of theological education and leadership formation. His previous ministries include service in a large and vital urban parish and Episcopal school, as a university chaplain, and in two cathedral churches.

At the churchwide level, Lemler has also chaired the Standing Commission on the Church in Metropolitan Areas and the Standing Commission on Domestic Mission and Evangelism, and served as a member of several other committees and commissions.

His experience also includes consultation with and leadership in philanthropy and stewardship with organizations such as Trustee Leadership Development, the Lilly Endowment, and the Consortium of Endowed Episcopal Parishes and in education through the Association of Chicago Theological Schools and the National Association of Episcopal Schools.

Lemler describes his "passion for the development of mission and its leadership and the encouragement of local congregations for God's mission of restoration, reconciliation, and renewal." Throughout his diverse duties, Lemler has remained a pastor to individuals and groups.

He has published various articles and essays, study guides for the Episcopal Media Center, trustee education materials, Vestry Papers contributions, and journals including Theology Today and The Anglican Theological Review. His publications include: Serving Those In Need, 20/20: A Vision for the Church; God and Money; Groundwork: Resources for Congregational Growth and Transformation; Moving Ahead in Mission; and Groundwork II (Year B): Resources for Congregational Growth and Transformation. He is also editor of a new series from Church Publishing titled, "Transformations: the Church in the 21st Century" and is the author of one of the volumes titled, Transforming Congregations.

Lemler was ordained to the diaconate and the priesthood in 1976. He is married to Sharon F. Lemler, a Clinical Mental Health Specialist, and they have three daughters, Katherine (a Young Adult Service Corps missionary in the Dominican Republic), Anna and Maria.

With history dating from 1705, Christ Church was formally established in 1833 in Greenwich, where the church is located at 254 East Putnam Avenue. Further information about the parish is online here.

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