The Lewis Center for Church Leadership was formed within Wesley Theological Seminary in 2003 to promote the effective and faithful practice of Christian leadership in the church and the world. Over the past 17 years, the Center has become a trusted resource for church leadership ideas, research, resources, and training so that congregations and denominations thrive, serve, and grow. Founded on the premise that effective leadership is critical to fruitful ministry, the center helps seminary students, clergy, lay leaders, and denominational leaders enhance their leadership effectiveness and help develop leadership in others.
Our approach is grounded in identifying the strategic issues critical to the church’s future and discerning “actionable strategic insights” that can guide congregations and church leaders.
Current work is focused around three priorities essential to the future of the church:
- Helping congregations and denomination reach more people, younger people, and more diverse people
- Helping individual church leadership enhance their effectiveness
- Helping congregations secure adequate funding for ministry
The Center is named for G. Douglass Lewis, who retired as President of Wesley Seminary in 2002 following 22 years of outstanding leadership.