Staff

The Rev. Dr. Jessica L. Anschutz is Interim Director of the Lewis Center, co-editor of Leading Ideas, and teaches in the Doctor of Ministry program at Wesley Theological Seminary. She is an ordained elder in the New York Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. Jessica participated in the Lewis Fellows program, the Lewis Center’s leadership development program for young clergy.

Education

• Doctor of Ministry in Church Leadership, Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, D.C., 2017.
• Master of Divinity, Yale Divinity School, New Haven, CT, 2007.
• Bachelor of Arts, Rhodes College, Memphis, TN, 2000.

Books

• Healing Fractured Communities, co-edited with F. Douglas Powe Jr. (Palmetto, 2024).

Publications

• See recent Leading Ideas articles by Jessica L. Anschutz.
• “Stepping into the Future, Without Fear,” Reflections, Spring 2022.
• “Letter Posted on the Sea of Faith,” Reflections, Spring 2014.
• “Old Forms are Passing Away”: YDS Graduates Ponder the Future of Congregational Life, Reflections, Fall 2009.

Selected Presentations

• Evangelism Leader-to-Leader Training, New York Annual Conference, 2020 & 2022.
• Cooperative Parish Training Event, New York Annual Conference, February 2017.
• Congregational and Cooperative Parish Visioning Events, New York Annual Conference, 2013-2021.
• “Trends in Philanthropy and Engagement,” Yale Alumni Fund Convocation, November 21, 2013.
• “Effective Clergy Leadership,” NYAC COMPASS, February 2013.
• “From Student to Pastor,” Association of Theological Schools CORE Consultation: Preparing for 2040, Pittsburgh, PA, March 4, 2011.
• “YDS Women: Generations of Faith and Witness”, Yale Divinity School, October 2010.
• “Future of Congregational Life” Conference, Yale Divinity School, Fall 2009.

Courses Taught

• Doctor of Ministry Project Seminar, Wesley Theological Seminary.

Award

• Yale Alumni Fund Chairman’s Award, 2014.

Audrey Butler

Audrey Butler is the Multimedia Specialist at the Lewis Center for Church Leadership. She joined the staff in 2022 and produces photo, video, and graphics content. As an undergraduate, Butler held positions as a writer and videographer at George Mason University Honors College, Fairfax Community Services Board, and Westminster Digital located in London. She was also lead cinematographer and co-editor at Groundbreaker Films LLC.

Education

• Bachelor of Arts in Communication, Media Production Concentration, Minor in Film, George Mason University.
• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

Awards

• Excellence in Communication, Fall 2022.
• Excellence in Lighting Technique, Spring 2021.

Selected Articles

• “Honors College Students Help Organize Virginia Environmental Justice Summit,” George Mason University Honors College, 2021.
• “U.S. Rep. Jennifer Wexton Shares What It Means to Be the ‘Public Face of a Campaign’,” George Mason University News, 2020.
• “What Do You Need to Know to Be a Politician?,” George Mason University News, 2020.

Matthew Lyons

Matthew Lyons is marketing manager for the Lewis Center for Church Leadership. He joined the staff in August 2010 and oversees marketing, advertising, branding, social media, and public relations. Mr. Lyons has more than 20 years of marketing experience in varied environments, including non-profit, for-profit, and association. He has worked in the travel, software, healthcare, and construction industries. His past titles include desktop publisher, copywriter/editor, webmaster, manager, and director.

Education

• Master of Arts, Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, D.C., 2010.
• Bachelor of Arts in Journalism-Advertising, Summa Cum Laude, Marshall University, Huntington, West Virginia, 1991.

Articles

• Your Website is Your Church’s Welcome Mat, Leading Ideas, January 2012.

Awards

• Best Advertising/Promotional/Marketing Campaign, Travel Weekly, 1999.
• Best Advertising Campaign, United Way, 1993.
• Copywriter of the Year, Marshall University, 1991.

Anna Taflan

Anna Taflan is the communications assistant for The Lewis Center for Church Leadership. She joined the staff in 2024 and works to manage, monitor, and cultivate the center’s social media accounts. Taflan has worked in communications since 2021 and has varied experience writing and editing content from newsletters to novels.

Education

• Master of Arts in Strategic Communications, American University, Washington D.C., 2021.
• Bachelor of Arts in English and Philosophy, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, Maryland, 2019.

Dr. Lovett H. Weems Jr.

Dr. Lovett H. Weems Jr., is distinguished professor of church leadership and senior consultant of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C.

Weems was the founding director of the Lewis Center in 2003, coming to the position after 18 years as president of Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, Missouri. He became senior consultant in 2017. A native of Mississippi, he was a local church pastor in that state for many years. His years in local church ministry in Mississippi were marked by emphasis on both evangelism and social concerns. His work in Mississippi led the distinguished Mississippi writer Willie Morris to describe him as “one of the persons who added much to the growing civility of Mississippi.”

Education

• Dr. Weems is a graduate of Millsaps College; Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University; and Wesley Theological Seminary. He holds honorary degrees from Baker University, Central Methodist University, and Millsaps College.

Books

• Sustaining While Disrupting: The Challenge of Congregational Innovation, co-authored with F. Douglas Powe Jr. (Fortress, 2022).
• High Yield: Seven Disciplines of the Fruitful Leader, with Tom Berlin (Abingdon,2014).
• Overflow: Increase Worship Attendance and Bear More Fruit, with Tom Berlin (Abingdon, 2013).
• Focus: The Real Challenges That Face The United Methodist Church (Abingdon, 2012).
• Bearing Fruit: Ministry with Real Results, with Tom Berlin (Abingdon, 2011).
• Church Leadership: Vision, Team, Culture, and Integrity, Revised Edition (Abingdon, 2010).
• Take the Next Step: Leading Lasting Change in the Church (Abingdon, 2003).
• Leadership in the Wesleyan Spirit (Abingdon, 1999).
• John Wesley’s Message Today (Abingdon, 1991).

Rachel Williams is a Program Administrator for the Lewis Center for Church Leadership. She joined the staff in 2018 and manages day-to-day administrative responsibilities and is the point of contact for online programs such as the Lewis Pastoral Leadership Inventory and Keeping our Sacred Trust. While earning her graduate degrees, Williams worked with international development firms and human rights organizations in research and programmatic capacities across the Washington, D.C., area.

Education

• Master of Theological Studies, Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, D.C., 2018.
• Master of Arts, International Peace and Conflict Resolution, American University, Washington, D.C., 2018.
• Bachelor of Arts, Political Science and Religion, Luther College, Decorah, Iowa, 2015

Certification

• Certificate, Muslim-Christian Studies, Washington Theological Consortium, D.C., 2018.