wfn.org | [ENS] Director of Mission for the Episcopal Church announced

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

Monday, April 26, 2004

Director of Mission for the Episcopal Church announced

ENS042604-1

[ENS] The Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, the Most Rev. Frank T. 
Griswold, announced April 26 the appointment of the Very Rev. James B. 
Lemler as Director of Mission, expressing confidence that the right person 
had been found for the position.

"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," Griswold said. "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."

Lemler, currently serving as Dean and President of Seabury-Western 
Theological Seminary and its Seabury Institute, likewise expressed 
enthusiasm about the appointment:

"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."

Having performed significant public ministry and served as a leader for the 
Episcopal Church at the diocesan, provincial and national level, Lemler has 
helped to shape the mission of the Episcopal Church in chairing roles for 
the Standing Commission on the Church in Metropolitan Areas and the 
Standing Commission on Domestic Mission and Evangelism. He is widely called 
upon as a teacher, writer, conference leader, preacher, and consultant in 
areas of congregational development, leadership development, education, 
spirituality, and mission. His experience also includes consultation and 
leadership in philanthropy and stewardship with various foundations and the 
Consortium of Endowed Episcopal Parishes, and in education through the 
National Association of Episcopal Schools and the Council of Episcopal 
Seminary Deans.

Nationally recognized as a presenter and educator in congregational 
development, Lemler helped to launch the 20/20 Vision for domestic mission 
and congregational life in the Episcopal Church, a movement which works 
towards embracing fully the stated mission of the Church and is a goal that 
General Convention adopted in July 2000 to contribute to the growth and 
vitality of the Church and its congregations.

Lemler will take up the post in late August leading the program staff at 
the Episcopal Church Center in 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.

The Director of Mission Interviewing Committee included: the Rt. Rev. 
Arthur B. Williams, Jr., convener; the Rt. Rev. Carol J. Gallagher; 
Katherine Tyler Scott; the Rev. Howard R. Anderson; Patricia C. Mordecai; 
the Rev. Canon J. Patrick Mauney; and John Colon, staff.