It’s Not about the Numbers…. Actually It Is about the Numbers
Lovett Weems stresses the need for quantitative metrics, arguing that churches will never make the changes needed to attract new people until they commit to…
Author
Lovett H. Weems Jr.
Lovett H. Weems Jr. is senior consultant at the Lewis Center for Church Leadership, distinguished professor of church leadership emeritus at Wesley Theological Seminary, and author of several books on leadership.
Doing Things Well
Lovett H. Weems, Jr., advises that churches set high standards, pay attention to details, and do things with quality, rather than doing just enough to…
Lead Now
Lovett H. Weems, Jr., writes clergy must focus clearly and passionately on those they are serving now, rather than hoping for something better in the…
No Solitary Leaders
Lovett H. Weems, Jr., reveals that Paul Revere was not a lone actor, but an organizer, connector, and motivator involving about 60 others in his…
A Handbook for Seminary Presidents
There are now over 250 theological seminaries in the United States and Canada. Leading these diverse institutions is a difficult task that combines elements of…
Pitfalls to Avoid in Reaching a Younger Constituency
Reflecting on a failed attempt by Public Broadcasting Corporation to reach a younger audience, Lovett H. Weems, Jr., offers advice to churches about reaching younger…
“Who is the Greatest?” – The Perennially Wrong Leadership Question
Lovett H. Weems, Jr., writes that authority is not about status; it is about what God’s will is for each of us and how faithful…
A Better Preacher in Thirty Seconds
Lovett H. Weems, Jr., writes that effective church leaders are constantly finding opportunities to help people to see things about themselves. Giving someone recognition is…
The Young Clergy Dilemma in Mainline Denominations
Lovett H. Weems, Jr., reviews Leading Ideas research that shows that fewer young persons are entering ordained ministry in mainline denominations. It is easy for…
From Faithful Ministry to Fruitful Leadership
Lovett H. Weems, Jr., discusses excellence in pastoral leadership in terms of character, competence, and contribution. These are necessary for fruitful leadership. “What is your…
Lovett Weems Recommends Books by Peter Drucker
The Effective Executive, originally published 1967 and still available in many editions The forerunner of countless management books, The Effective Executive is the best-known and…
Leadership and Racism
Leadership requires us to declare that racism is wrong, and we must work constantly to confront it and end it, according to Lovett Weems, writing…
A Leading Ideas Interview with Adam Hamilton
Lewis Center Director Lovett Weems interviews Adam Hamilton to glean insights for other churches in the Church of the Resurrection’s success. The Rev. Adam Hamilton…
When Good Practices Are No Longer Good Enough
Lovett H. Weems says the very practices that made an organization strong can keep it from responding to new challenges in the face of “disruptive…
All the Mainline News That’s Fit to Print
The declining influence of mainline denominations is reflected in the that they appear far less frequently in the New York Times than they did eighty…
Opening Up the Small Membership Church
Drawing on Anthony Pappas’s work, Lovett Weems names factors important in helping small churches embrace change and new people. Anthony Pappas is area minister for…
Demographics and Leadership
Lovett Weems offers the example of the Girl Scouts USA who understood that continued viability depends on adapting to changes in national demographics. A community…
Stages in Leadership
Lovett Weems reflects on stages of leadership through the experience of making a difficult journey. A few years ago, I was scheduled to preach on…
Leadership Lessons from Peter F. Drucker (1919-2005)
Lovett H. Weems, Jr., writes about the influence of Peter Drucker. Weems has found that many of Drucker’s ideas apply to pastoral ministry. Peter Drucker,…
I Hope They Will Know I Believed in Them
Lovett Weems notes the prevalence of a “we-they” attitude of clergy toward their members while lifting up examples of leaders who affirm laity. One study…
Reviving Old St. Patrick’s Church
The revival of Old St. Patrick’s Church Catholic Church in Chicago offers lessons on regaining vitality through missional focus, says Lovett H. Weems, Jr. Jack…
Points of Vulnerability
A leader must always celebrate the strengths and successes of group life, but leaders must also work to define the realities and challenges faced, according…
Which Comes First — Belief or Belonging?
Lovett Weems considers Robin Gill’s supposition that people tend to belong to religious communities before coming to belief rather than the other way around. Robin…
A Review of Leading Beyond the Walls
Lovett Weems reviews Adam Hamilton’s Leading Beyond the Walls in which the author presents ideas about the Church of the Resurrection, a United Methodist mega-church.…
Predictors of Youth Returning to Church as Adults
Lovett Weems reviews a study of participation in church by adults who had dropped out of church as youth. Of all the variables studied, only…
Take the Next Step: Leading Lasting Change in the Church
Learn how to work for genuine and effective change in your church without trying to throw out everything that has gone before. Pastors and other…
Leadership in the Wesleyan Spirit
The purpose of this book is simple — to reclaim a vision for church leadership from the great spiritual awakening known as the Wesleyan movement.…
John Wesley’s Message Today
With its plain, easy-to-understand language, this Pocket Guide will help you understand the major aspects of John Wesley’s theology. You will discover what Wesley believed…