The Rev. Dr. James B. Lemler

Denomination: The Episcopal Church (TEC)
Organization: Christ Church Episcopal, Greenwich, CT

The Rev. Dr. James B. Lemler is priest-in-charge of Christ Church (Episcopal), Greenwich, CT. He was formerly Director of Mission for the Episcopal Church and a member of the Management Team of the Episcopal Church Center, New York City.

He possesses a passion for mission which has been expressed in a variety of settings. He has shaped leaders for mission as the Dean and President of Seabury-Western Theological Seminary and as a Senior Consultant for Trustee Leadership Development.

Educated at DePauw University, Oxford University, Nashotah House Episcopal Seminary, and Christian Theological Seminary, Dr. Lemler has served as a consultant and conference leader to numerous congregations, dioceses, and religious and other not-for-profit institutions. He has given leadership in areas of religion and philanthropy as a founding member of the Consortium of Endowed Episcopal Parishes and a trustee of and consultant to various foundations.

Dr. Lemler possesses a strong commitment to mission in all dimensions of Church life. His congregational leadership included service at both cathedrals of the Indiana Episcopal Dioceses and as Rector of Trinity Church and President of St. Richard's School in Indianapolis. During his 17 years at Trinity and St. Richard's, he was a leader in ecumenical efforts and urban ministry, including several years as President of the Church Federation of Greater Indianapolis and the founder of the Episcopal Metropolitan Council. In 1998 he was named a "Sagamore of the Wabash" by the Governor of Indiana. He also served as a University Chaplain at DePauw University.

Dr. Lemler has written in the areas of mission, leadership, spirituality, stewardship, and congregational life and development. He has served the Episcopal Church as a six-time deputy to the General Convention, co-chair of the Standing Commission on the Church in Metropolitan Areas, chair of the Standing Commission on Domestic Mission and Evangelism, chair of the General Convention Committee on Evangelism, and as a member of the Presiding Bishop's Task Force on Seminaries, the 20/20 Task Force, the National Association of Episcopal Schools, and the Task Force on Ethics and the New Genetics.

He is married to Sharon Lemler, a Clinical Specialist in Psychiatric Nursing, and they are the parents of three high school and college age daughters.