The Rev. Dr. James B. Lemler bio

The Rev’d Dr. James B. Lemler, is the President of the Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation, an Indianapolis arts and humanities private foundation. He is the retired Rector of Christ Church Greenwich (Connecticut), and is a widely utilized leader, educator, consultant, preacher and pastor. Prior to his appointment at Christ Church Greenwich, he served as the Director of Mission for the Episcopal Church nationally and was the Dean and President of Seabury-Western Theological Seminary, an internationally recognized institution of theological education and leadership development. Additionally, his ministry has included service in a vital urban parish and Episcopal school, as a university chaplain, and in two cathedral churches.

Having performed significant public ministry and served as a leader at the diocesan, provincial and national level, Lemler, 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 has been called upon as a teacher, writer, conference leader, preacher, and consultant in areas of congregational vitality, 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 as president of the Association of Chicago Theological Schools. He served as a trustee and officer of the Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation for several years prior to assuming the executive position of President and CEO.

Dr. Lemler has published various articles and essays, study guides for the Episcopal Media Center, trustee education materials, Vestry Papers contributions, and journals. 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 & III (Year B): Resources for Congregational Growth and Transformation. Additionally, he is the editor of the Transformation Series (2008) from Church Publishing Group and the author of the third book in that series, Transforming Congregations. He was educated at DePauw University, Oxford University, Nashotah House Episcopal Seminary, and Christian Theological Seminary and holds certificates from Trustee Leadership Development, the Lake Institute of the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University, and the Center for Courage and Renewal. He is a Sagamore of the Wabash awarded by the state of Indiana and has received citation and recognition by the state of Connecticut and the cities of Indianapolis, Evanston IL, and Greenwich CT.

He and his wife Sharon, a Psychiatric Clinical Specialist retired from NY Presbyterian Hospitals, are the parents of three adult daughters: a physician, a social worker, and a Ph.D. specialist in autism education.