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Lyle SchallerAmerican management specialist
Date of Birth: 19.04.1923
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Lyle E. Schaller: A Pioneer in Church Leadership
- Ministry and Publications
- Contribution to Church Management
- Consulting and Influence
- The Parish Paper
- Later Years and Legacy
Lyle E. Schaller: A Pioneer in Church Leadership
Early Life and EducationLyle Edwin Schaller was born on April 19, 1923, in Lime Ridge, Wisconsin. He grew up on a dairy farm, the youngest of two children.
During his studies at the University of Wisconsin, Schaller felt a call to ministry. He graduated "magna cum laude" from Garrett Theological Seminary (now Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary) in 1957.
Ministry and Publications
Schaller served as pastor of a three-point parish from 1955 to 1958. He later became the first director of the Regional Office of Church Planning in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1964, he published his first book, "Protestant Planning in Urban America."
From 1968 to 1971, Schaller served as Director of the Center for Parish Development at Evangelical Theological Seminary (now Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary) in Naperville, Illinois.
Contribution to Church Management
Schaller's contributions to church management were significant. He wrote over 55 books, edited 44 more, and published thousands of essays in Christian periodicals. His writings covered topics such as small churches, large churches, and leadership in times of change.
Consulting and Influence
Schaller conducted an average of 150 church consultations per year. He collected data, interviewed church leaders, and provided 360-degree assessments, analyses, and practical recommendations for congregational health and growth.
In a 1988-1989 survey of nearly 1,500 national and religious leaders, Schaller was ranked as the most influential Protestant leader, surpassing Martin E. Marty, Robert McAfee Brown, and Billy Graham.
The Parish Paper
In 1971, Schaller founded The Parish Paper, a monthly newsletter that reached over 200,000 subscribers in 28 denominations.
Later Years and Legacy
Schaller spent his later years at the Yokefellow Institute in Richmond, Indiana, where he continued his writing, consulting, and mentoring.
Lyle E. Schaller died on March 18, 2015, from heart failure. His legacy as a pioneer in church leadership and management continues to inspire and guide churches worldwide.
