The Lewis Fellows program is a post-graduate, post-ordination leadership development opportunity for young clergy offered by the Lewis Center for Church Leadership of Wesley Theological Seminary, supported in part by a grant from the Lilly Endowment, Inc. The Lewis Fellows program brings together outstanding young clergy persons (generally those under the age of 35) for intensive leadership development activities and sustained peer interaction.
The program began in 2005 as part of Lilly’s Sustaining Pastoral Excellence Initiative. In 2012, the Lilly Endowment awarded the Lewis Center another grant through its Transition into Ministry Initiative to continue the program through 2016. To date, over 150 clergy from over a dozen different denominations have been Lewis Fellows.
2011-12 Lewis Fellows Cohort
Program Overview
Each year, the Lewis Center selects an ecumenical group of outstanding young clergy to be part of a learning community that meets together three times over the course of a year for four-day meetings (Monday - Thursday), generally held in a hotel or conference center. Each cohort engages in a learning agenda facilitated by the staff of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership. Group activities include presentations on leadership themes; group discussion; spiritual formation activities; site visits; and the use of leadership assessment instruments. Fellows prepare in advance through assigned reading and occasionally through the completion of assessment instruments or data collection tasks.
Two units of Continuing Education Credit (2 CEUs) are issued for each of the three gatherings.
Eligibility Requirements
The Lewis Fellows program seeks applicants who:
- Are motivated by a desire to be fruitful in ministry by developing their personal leadership
- Are under the age of 35
- Are at least two years but no more than ten years beyond seminary
- Serve in a congregational setting
- Reside in the United States or Canada
Because there are many more qualified young clergy than can be accommodated in any one year, participants are selected in a manner that promotes group diversity in terms of gender, racial/ethnic background, denominational affiliation, geography, educational experience, and theological perspective.
2012/2013 Program Dates
Those wishing to be considered for the 2012/2013 cohort of Lewis Fellows may apply now but no later than April 30, 2012. Those accepted into the program will be notified by May 31, 2012.
The meeting dates and locations for the 2012/2013 cohort are:
- October 15 - 18, 2012 — Kansas City Area
- January 21 - 24, 2013 — Fort Lauderdale/Miami Area
- April 15 - 18, 2013 — Washington DC Area
Those selected for the program must commit to attending all cohort gatherings as a condition of their acceptance into the program.
Program Expenses and Costs
There is a single fee of $1,000 for participation in a Lewis Fellows cohort. This fee is payable in two installments of $500 — one upon confirmation of acceptance into the program (due by June 30, 2012) and the other due by September 15, 2012. Since CEU credit is provided through this program, often participants are able to draw a portion of their fee from continuing education funds from their congregation or judicatory. Others are often supported by other funds from their congregations or judicatories, by sponsors, or from funds they would use for other learning opportunities.
The overwhelming share of the costs of each individual’s participation in the program (estimated at $10,000 per Fellow) is underwritten by the Lewis Center for Church Leadership with the generous support of the Lilly Endowment. Consequently, meals and lodging during cohort gatherings are provided free of charge and most travel expenses are reimbursable. Click here for detailed cost and reimbursement policies.
Program Components
The Lewis Fellows learning agenda is built around the following components:
- Leadership – Fellows explore elements of effective leadership such as the discernment and articulation of an appropriate shared vision, the building of the team required for the vision to become a reality, the embodiment of the vision with the culture of the congregation, and the adherence to personal and organizational integrity consistent with the vision.
- Skills – Fellows work to develop skills in ministry management areas such as church finances, conflict, and assessing the fruits of ministry, particularly its ability to reach more people, younger people, and more diverse people.
- Theological – Fellows reflect on the theological implications of all subjects considered and devote time to cutting-edge theological topics related to the leadership needed of the church of the future.
- Personal – Fellows are helped to enhance their personal leadership through a better self-understanding and the development of sound practices regarding their spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being.
For More Information
Questions about the Lewis Fellows program can be directed to Dr. Lovett H. Weems, Jr., Director of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership, or Dr. Ann A. Michel, Associate Director of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership.
