Staff

Audrey Butler

Audrey Butler is the Multimedia Specialist at the Lewis Center for Church Leadership. She joined the staff in 2022 and produces photo, video, and graphics content. As an undergraduate, Audrey held positions as a writer and videographer at George Mason University Honors College, Fairfax Community Services Board, and Westminster Digital located in London. She was also lead cinematographer and co-editor at Groundbreaker Films LLC.

Education

• Bachelor of Arts in Communication, Media Production Concentration, Minor in Film, George Mason University.
• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

Awards

• Excellence in Communication, Fall 2022.
• Excellence in Lighting Technique, Spring 2021.

Selected Articles

• “Honors College Students Help Organize Virginia Environmental Justice Summit,” George Mason University Honors College, 2021.
• “U.S. Rep. Jennifer Wexton Shares What It Means to Be the ‘Public Face of a Campaign’,” George Mason University News, 2020.
• “What Do You Need to Know to Be a Politician?,” George Mason University News, 2020.

Matthew Lyons

Matthew Lyons is marketing manager for the Lewis Center for Church Leadership. He joined the staff in August 2010 and oversees marketing, advertising, branding, social media, and public relations. Matt has more than 20 years of marketing experience in varied environments, including non-profit, for-profit, and association. He has worked in the travel, software, healthcare, and association industries. His past titles include desktop publisher, copywriter/editor, webmaster, manager, and director.

Education

• Master of Arts, Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, D.C., 2010.
• Bachelor of Arts in Journalism-Advertising, Summa Cum Laude, Marshall University, Huntington, West Virginia, 1991.

Craig Meek

Rev. Craig Meek is the Program Manager at the Lewis Center for Church Leadership. He is an ordained Teaching Elder and Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and holds theology and ministry degrees from John Brown University, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, and New College, School of Divinity, at the University of Edinburgh.

Anna Taflan

Anna Taflan is the communications assistant for The Lewis Center for Church Leadership. She joined the staff in 2024 and works to manage, monitor, and cultivate the center’s social media accounts. Anna has worked in communications since 2021 and has varied experience writing and editing content from newsletters to novels.

Education

• Master of Arts in Strategic Communications, American University, Washington D.C., 2021.
• Bachelor of Arts in English and Philosophy, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, Maryland, 2019.

Dr. Lovett H. Weems Jr.

Dr. Lovett H. Weems Jr., is distinguished professor of church leadership and senior consultant of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C.

Lovett was the founding director of the Lewis Center in 2003, coming to the position after 18 years as president of Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, Missouri. He became senior consultant in 2017. A native of Mississippi, he was a local church pastor in that state for many years. His years in local church ministry in Mississippi were marked by emphasis on both evangelism and social concerns. His work in Mississippi led the distinguished Mississippi writer Willie Morris to describe him as “one of the persons who added much to the growing civility of Mississippi.”

Education

• Dr. Weems is a graduate of Millsaps College; Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University; and Wesley Theological Seminary. He holds honorary degrees from Baker University, Central Methodist University, and Millsaps College.

Books

• The Right Questions for Church Leaders (Abingdon Press, 2025).
• Sustaining While Disrupting: The Challenge of Congregational Innovation, co-authored with F. Douglas Powe Jr. (Fortress, 2022).
• High Yield: Seven Disciplines of the Fruitful Leader, with Tom Berlin (Abingdon,2014).
• Overflow: Increase Worship Attendance and Bear More Fruit, with Tom Berlin (Abingdon, 2013).
• Focus: The Real Challenges That Face The United Methodist Church (Abingdon, 2012).
• Bearing Fruit: Ministry with Real Results, with Tom Berlin (Abingdon, 2011).
• Church Leadership: Vision, Team, Culture, and Integrity, Revised Edition (Abingdon, 2010).
• Take the Next Step: Leading Lasting Change in the Church (Abingdon, 2003).
• Leadership in the Wesleyan Spirit (Abingdon, 1999).
• John Wesley’s Message Today (Abingdon, 1991).

Rachel Williams is a Program Administrator for the Lewis Center for Church Leadership. She joined the staff in 2018 and manages day-to-day administrative responsibilities and is the point of contact for online programs such as the Lewis Pastoral Leadership Inventory and Keeping our Sacred Trust. While earning her graduate degrees, Rachel worked with international development firms and human rights organizations in research and programmatic capacities across the Washington, D.C., area.

Education

• Master of Theological Studies, Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, D.C., 2018.
• Master of Arts, International Peace and Conflict Resolution, American University, Washington, D.C., 2018.
• Bachelor of Arts, Political Science and Religion, Luther College, Decorah, Iowa, 2015

Certification

• Certificate, Muslim-Christian Studies, Washington Theological Consortium, D.C., 2018.