Jump to content

Leith Anderson: Difference between revisions

Edit links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
m add category
(33 intermediate revisions by 11 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|American religious leader}}
'''Leith Anderson''' (born 1944) is president emeritus of the [[National Association of Evangelicals]] and [[Baptist]] pastor emeritus of [[Wooddale Church]] in [[Eden Prairie, Minnesota]], after serving as senior pastor from 1977 through 2011.
'''Leith Anderson''' is an American evangelical Christian leader, author, and retired pastor. Anderson served as senior pastor of [[Wooddale Church]] in [[Eden Prairie, Minnesota]] from 1977 to 2011. He is pastor emeritus of Wooddale Church and president emeritus of the [[National Association of Evangelicals]].


== Early life and education ==
==Early life and education==
Leith Anderson is the son of Charles William Anderson and Margery Freeman Anderson.<ref name="pbs">[https://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/week1013/profile.html Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly . PROFILE . LEITH ANDERSON . November 24, 2006]. PBS (2006-11-24). Retrieved on 2011-06-22.</ref>His father was pastor of Brookdale Baptist Church in Bloomfield, NJ (1939-1972) and was the founder/president of [[Northeastern Bible College]] in Essex Fells, NJ (later merged with The Kings College in New York City). His mother was born and raised in England and migrated to the United States as an adult.
Leith Anderson is the son of Charles William Anderson and Margery Freeman Anderson.<ref name="pbs">[https://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/week1013/profile.html Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly . PROFILE . LEITH ANDERSON . November 24, 2006]. PBS (2006-11-24). Retrieved on 2011-06-22.</ref>{{deadlink|date=July 2023}}


Leith Anderson graduated from [[West Essex High School]], North Caldwell, New Jersey; [[Moody Bible Institute]], Chicago, Illinois (diploma); [[Bradley University]], Peoria, Illinois (B.A. in [[Sociology]]); [[Denver Seminary]], Denver, Colorado (Master of Divinity); and [[Fuller Theological Seminary]], Pasadena, California ([[Doctor of Ministry]]).<ref name="faith">[http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/faith-matters/ Pastor Leith Anderson – Faith Matters Christian Radio Sermons, Ministry Broadcast, Podcasts]. Oneplace.com (2011-06-17). Retrieved on 2011-06-22.</ref>
Anderson graduated from [[West Essex High School]], North Caldwell, New Jersey; [[Moody Bible Institute]], Chicago, Illinois (diploma); [[Bradley University]], Peoria, Illinois (B.A. in [[Sociology]]); [[Denver Seminary]], Denver, Colorado (Master of Divinity); and [[Fuller Theological Seminary]], Pasadena, California ([[Doctor of Ministry]]).<ref name="faith">[http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/faith-matters/ Pastor Leith Anderson – Faith Matters Christian Radio Sermons, Ministry Broadcast, Podcasts]. Oneplace.com (2011-06-17). Retrieved on 2011-06-22.</ref>{{deadlink|date=July 2023}}


⚫
==Ministry==
Anderson took additional course work at [[Northwestern University]], Chicago, Illinois; [[Iliff School of Theology|The Iliff School of Theology]], Denver, Colorado; and the [[University of Colorado Boulder|University of Colorado]], Boulder, Colorado.
Anderson served as a pastor a Calvary Church in Longmont, Colorado and was an adjunct professor of pastoral theology and homiletics at [[Denver Seminary]].{{cn|date=July 2023}}
 
⚫
== Ministry ==
Leith Anderson's introduction to writing began as editor of the student newspaper at the [[Moody Bible Institute]] and through journalism classes at [[Northwestern University]].


In 1977, Anderson began his 35 years as senior pastor of [[Wooddale Church]] in suburban Minneapolis.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.swnewsmedia.com/eden_prairie_news/news/q-and-a-pastor-leith-anderson/article_ea084a35-97b9-553b-808d-c1e3faa8b8a1.html|title=Q and A: Pastor Leith Anderson|date=January 4, 2012|website=SWNewsMedia.com}}</ref> The church was located in Richfield, Minnesota, until 1984 when it moved to a new building on a 33-acre campus in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Wooddale Church grew to become a congregation of thousands, one of the larger churches in the state and region. While pastoring, Anderson taught in seminaries and released daily radio and television programs.<ref name="auto4">{{Cite web|url=https://www.startribune.com/pawlenty-s-pastor-will-retire-at-year-s-end/124745488/|title=Pawlenty's pastor will retire at year's end|last=French |first=Rose|website=Star Tribune}}</ref> Anderson retired from Wooddale Church in 2011 and was named pastor emeritus.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://religionnews.com/2011/07/01/evangelical-leader-to-retire-from-minn-pulpit/|title=Evangelical leader to retire from Minn. pulpit|first=Tracy|last=Gordon|date=July 1, 2011|website=Religion News Service}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hometownsource.com/sun_current/news/local/search-for-new-wooddale-church-senior-pastor-enters-second-year/article_f0a51177-1d0e-50aa-b6dd-949b56473b92.html|title=Search for new Wooddale Church senior pastor enters second year|date=March 2, 2013|website=hometownsource.com}}</ref>
During his seminary studies he served part-time as a youth pastor at Calvary Church (Longmont, Colorado) and became the senior pastor of the church upon graduation for a total of 10 years in pastoral ministry at the church. While pastoring he continued academic studies at the [[University of Colorado Boulder|University of Colorado]] and [[Fuller Theological Seminary]] and became an adjunct professor of pastoral theology and homiletics at [[Denver Seminary]].


Anderson served as interim president of the [[National Association of Evangelicals]] from 2001 to 2003, and again from 2006 to 2007. He was then named president of the NAE in 2007<ref name="christian">[http://www.christianpost.com/article/20071015/nae-formally-names-leith-anderson-president/index.html NAE Formally Names Leith Anderson President, Christian News]. Christianpost.com (2007-10-15). Retrieved on 2011-06-22.</ref> and served in that capacity until 2019.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2019/february/leith-anderson-retire-nae-president-national-evangelicals.html|title=Leith Anderson Retiring From National Association of Evangelicals|last=Shellnutt|first=Kate|date=February 1, 2019|work=Christianity Today|access-date=July 22, 2019}}</ref> As NAE president, Anderson frequently participated in amicus curiae briefs, news conferences, and interviews. Priority was given to issues of immigration policy,<ref name="auto2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/2006/11/24/profile-leith-anderson/1032/|title=PROFILE - Leith Anderson |website=PBS|first=Fred|last=Yi|date=November 24, 2006}}</ref><ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2019/12/leith-anderson-silence-moderate-evangelicals/604120/|title=Evangelicalism’s Silent Majority|first=Emma|last=Green|date=December 25, 2019|website=The Atlantic}}</ref> climate change and the environment,<ref name="auto2"/> religious freedom, theology and values, social justice, evangelism, humanitarian services, and cultural influence.<ref name="auto3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/leith-anderson-retire-nae-praised-shaping-evangelical-movementt.html|title=Leith Anderson to retire from NAE, praised for shaping evangelical mov't in complex times|first1=Samuel|last1=Smith|date=February 8, 2019|website=The Christian Post}}</ref><ref name="auto" /><ref name="auto1" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.startribune.com/minnesotan-retires-as-head-of-national-assocation-of-evangelicals/566513712/|title=Minnesotan retires as head of National Association of Evangelicals|website=Star Tribune|access-date=2020-01-01}}</ref>{{dubious|date=July 2023}} In his leadership of the NAE, Anderson was known for avoiding partisan politics,<ref name="auto2"/><ref name="auto1"/><ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://religionnews.com/2019/11/27/retiring-association-head-leith-anderson-evangelicals-not-just-white-or-political/|title=Retiring NAE head Leith Anderson: Evangelicals not just white or political|first=Adelle M.|last=Banks|date=November 27, 2019|website=Religion News Service}}</ref> promoting unity within the evangelical movement,<ref name="auto1"/> and prioritizing racial and ethnic diversity.<ref name="auto"/> Anderson has been named president emeritus of the NAE.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.churchlawandtax.com/human-resources/compensation/the-financial-health-of-pastors/|title=The Financial Health of Pastors|first=Lee |last=Dean|date=August 15, 2016|website=Church Law & Tax}}</ref>
In 1977 Anderson began his 35 years as senior pastor of [[Wooddale Church]] in suburban Minneapolis. The church was located in Richfield, Minnesota, until 1984 when it moved to a new building on a 33-acre campus in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, and grew to become a congregation of thousands, one of the larger churches in the state and region. While pastoring he also wrote books and articles on church and biblical themes, taught in numerous seminary doctoral programs (including [[Bethel University (Minnesota)|Bethel University]], [[Trinity Evangelical Divinity School]], [[Fuller Theological Seminary]], [[Northeastern Seminary]] and others).<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.startribune.com/pawlenty-s-pastor-will-retire-at-year-s-end/124745488/|title=Pawlenty's pastor will retire at year's end|last=French|first=Rose|date=June 30, 2011|work=Star Tribune|access-date=August 7, 2019}}</ref>


In 2011, President Barack Obama named Anderson to the White House Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.<ref name="auto4"/> He became a member of the board of [[World Vision International]] in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wvi.org/bio/dr-leith-anderson|title=Bio - Leith Anderson|website=www.wvi.org}}</ref> Anderson has written over 20 books.<ref name="auto3"/>
In addition Anderson became a frequent speaker at national and international conferences and served on the boards of [[Bethel University (Minnesota)|Bethel University]], [[Navigators USA|Navigators]], [[National Association of Evangelicals]], [[World Vision United States|World Vision]], [[World Relief]] and other nonprofit organizations. In 2019 he was named to the Founder's Chair of World Vision International.


⚫
==Personal life==
Anderson continued as the pastor of [[Wooddale Church]] when he became the interim president of the [[National Association of Evangelicals]] as the NAE faced organizational stress in 2001 and continued until 2003. When the NAE had a leadership vacuum in 2006, Anderson returned as interim president and then became the elected president for terms in 2007 extending through 2019 when he announced his retirement from the position at the end of that term.<ref name="christian">[http://www.christianpost.com/article/20071015/nae-formally-names-leith-anderson-president/index.html NAE Formally Names Leith Anderson President, Christian News]. Christianpost.com (2007-10-15). Retrieved on 2011-06-22.</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2019/february/leith-anderson-retire-nae-president-national-evangelicals.html|title=Leith Anderson Retiring From National Association of Evangelicals|last=Shellnutt|first=Kate|date=February 1, 2019|work=Christianity Today|access-date=July 22, 2019}}</ref>
Anderson and his wife, Charleen, have been married since 1965.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/nae-formally-names-leith-anderson-president.html|title=NAE Formally Names Leith Anderson President|first1=Michelle A.|last1=Vu|date=October 15, 2007|website=The Christian Post}}</ref>

At the end of 2011, he retired as pastor of the church and continued as president of the NAE in Washington, D.C., while maintaining his home in Minnesota. During his presidency, the NAE stabilized and grew with expanded membership and many new staff and programs including NAE Talk (conferences addressing contemporary social and theological issues), Evangelical Leaders Survey (monthly survey of national leaders on a broad array of topics with published reports, Evangelicals magazine, Today's Conversation podcast, annual retreat of denomination leaders, and publications titled "Theology of Sex,"<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nae.net/theology-of-sex/|title=Theology of Sex}}</ref> "For the Health of the Nation<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nae.net/for-the-health-of-the-nation/|title=For the Health of the Nation}}</ref>" and others.

As NAE president, Anderson frequently participated in amicus curiae briefs, news conferences and interviews, and connected religious and other leaders across the United States and internationally. Priority was given to issues of religious freedom, immigration policies, evangelical biblical theology and values, social justice and engaging evangelicals in evangelism, humanitarian services and cultural influence. <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://NAE.net|title=NAE Website}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/leith-anderson-retire-nae-praised-shaping-evangelical-movementt.html|title=Leith Anderson to retire from NAE, praised for shaping evangelical mov't in complex times|last=Smith|first=Samuel|date=February 8, 2019|work=Christian Post|access-date=July 22, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://religionnews.com/2019/11/27/retiring-association-head-leith-anderson-evangelicals-not-just-white-or-political/|title=Retiring NAE head Leith Anderson: Evangelicals not just white or political|date=2019-11-27|website=Religion News Service|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2019/12/leith-anderson-silence-moderate-evangelicals/604120/|title=Evangelicalism's Silent Majority|last=Green|first=Emma|date=2019-12-25|website=The Atlantic|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.startribune.com/minnesotan-retires-as-head-of-national-assocation-of-evangelicals/566513712/|title=Minnesotan retires as head of National Association of Evangelicals|website=Star Tribune|access-date=2020-01-01}}</ref>

Anderson was elected to the Founder's Chair of World Vision International in 2019.

He has been published in many periodicals and has written over 20 books (including translations into foreign languages).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nae.net/about-nae/leadership|title=Leadership - National Association of Evangelicals|publisher=}}</ref>

⚫
== Personal life ==
Anderson grew up in the same church as Charleen Lillian Alles whom he started dating the month he turned 15 and married in 1965. They are the parents of four children.

==Recognition==
He received honorary doctorates from [[Cornerstone University]], Grand Rapids, Michigan (Doctor of Divinity); [[Moody Bible Institute]], Chicago, Illinois (Doctor of Divinity); and Eastern University, St. Davids, Pennsylvania (Doctor of Humane Letters). 


==Bibliography==
==Bibliography==
Line 53: Line 39:
*''Faith in the Voting Booth'' (2016)
*''Faith in the Voting Booth'' (2016)


== Chapters & Contributions ==
==Chapters & contributions==

*''Married to a Pastor's Wife'', H.B. London and Neil Wiseman, editors (1993)
*''Married to a Pastor's Wife'', H.B. London and Neil Wiseman, editors (1993)
*''Leadership Handbooks'', Jim Berkley, editor (1994)
*''Leadership Handbooks'', Jim Berkley, editor (1994)
Line 85: Line 70:
| title = [[National Association of Evangelicals|President of the National Association of Evangelicals]]
| title = [[National Association of Evangelicals|President of the National Association of Evangelicals]]
| before = [[Ted Haggard]]
| before = [[Ted Haggard]]
| after = Walter Kim
| after = [[Walter Kim]]
| years = 2006–2019
| years = 2006–2019
}}
}}
Line 95: Line 80:


{{DEFAULTSORT:Anderson, Leith}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Anderson, Leith}}
⚫
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1944 births]]
[[Category:1944 births]]
⚫
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:20th-century American male writers]]
[[Category:20th-century American non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:20th-century evangelicals]]
[[Category:21st-century American male writers]]
[[Category:21st-century American non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:21st-century evangelicals]]
[[Category:American evangelicals]]
[[Category:American evangelicals]]
[[Category:American male non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:Bradley University alumni]]
[[Category:Bradley University alumni]]
[[Category:American Evangelical writers]]
[[Category:Fuller Theological Seminary alumni]]
[[Category:Fuller Theological Seminary alumni]]
[[Category:Moody Bible Institute alumni]]
[[Category:Moody Bible Institute alumni]]
[[Category:People from Eden Prairie, Minnesota]]
[[Category:People from Eden Prairie, Minnesota]]
[[Category: American people of English descent]]
[[Category:West Essex High School alumni]]
[[Category:Conservative Congregational Christian Conference]]

Revision as of 19:44, 29 March 2024

Leith Anderson is an American evangelical Christian leader, author, and retired pastor. Anderson served as senior pastor of Wooddale Church in Eden Prairie, Minnesota from 1977 to 2011. He is pastor emeritus of Wooddale Church and president emeritus of the National Association of Evangelicals.

Early life and education

Leith Anderson is the son of Charles William Anderson and Margery Freeman Anderson.[1][dead link]

Anderson graduated from West Essex High School, North Caldwell, New Jersey; Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, Illinois (diploma); Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois (B.A. in Sociology); Denver Seminary, Denver, Colorado (Master of Divinity); and Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, California (Doctor of Ministry).[2][dead link]

Ministry

Anderson served as a pastor a Calvary Church in Longmont, Colorado and was an adjunct professor of pastoral theology and homiletics at Denver Seminary.[citation needed]

In 1977, Anderson began his 35 years as senior pastor of Wooddale Church in suburban Minneapolis.[3] The church was located in Richfield, Minnesota, until 1984 when it moved to a new building on a 33-acre campus in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Wooddale Church grew to become a congregation of thousands, one of the larger churches in the state and region. While pastoring, Anderson taught in seminaries and released daily radio and television programs.[4] Anderson retired from Wooddale Church in 2011 and was named pastor emeritus.[5][6]

Anderson served as interim president of the National Association of Evangelicals from 2001 to 2003, and again from 2006 to 2007. He was then named president of the NAE in 2007[7] and served in that capacity until 2019.[8] As NAE president, Anderson frequently participated in amicus curiae briefs, news conferences, and interviews. Priority was given to issues of immigration policy,[9][10] climate change and the environment,[9] religious freedom, theology and values, social justice, evangelism, humanitarian services, and cultural influence.[11][12][10][13][dubious – discuss] In his leadership of the NAE, Anderson was known for avoiding partisan politics,[9][10][12] promoting unity within the evangelical movement,[10] and prioritizing racial and ethnic diversity.[12] Anderson has been named president emeritus of the NAE.[14]

In 2011, President Barack Obama named Anderson to the White House Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.[4] He became a member of the board of World Vision International in 2018.[15] Anderson has written over 20 books.[11]

Personal life

Anderson and his wife, Charleen, have been married since 1965.[16]

Bibliography

  • Making Happiness Happen (1987)
  • Mastering Church Management (1991)
  • A Church for the 21st Century (1992)
  • Who's in Charge: Mastering Ministry (1993)
  • The Best Is Yet To Come (1994)
  • Winning the Values War in a Changing Culture: Thirteen Distinct Values That Mark a Follower of Jesus Christ (1994)
  • When God Says No (1996)
  • Dying for Change (1998)
  • Praying to the God You Can Trust (1998)
  • Leadership That Works: Hope and Direction for Church and Parachurch Leaders in Today's Complex World (2001)
  • Becoming Friends With God: A Devotional Invitation to Intimacy With God (2001)
  • Jesus: An Intimate Portrait of the Man, His Land, and His People (2006)
  • Igniting Worship Series – 40 Days with Jesus: Worship Services and Video Clips on DVD (2006)
  • How to Act Like a Christian (2006)
  • The Jesus Revolution: Learning from Christ's First Followers (2009)
  • Faith Matters (2011)
  • The Volunteer Church (2015)
  • Faith in the Voting Booth (2016)

Chapters & contributions

  • Married to a Pastor's Wife, H.B. London and Neil Wiseman, editors (1993)
  • Leadership Handbooks, Jim Berkley, editor (1994)
  • Library of Christian Leadership: Empowering Your Church Through Creativity and Changes, Marshall Shelley, editor (1995)
  • Leading People, Robert H. Rosen, editor (1996)
  • Library of Leadership Development: Renewing Your Church Through Vision and Planning, Marshall Shelley, editor (1997)
  • Library of Leadership Development: Growing Your Church Through Training and Motivation, Marshall Shelley, editor (1997)
  • Raising Teens While They're Still in Preschool (excerpts), Ron Habermas, author (1998)
  • Uncommon Graces (forward), John Vawter, author (1998)
  • Vital Church Issues, Roy B. Zuck, editor (Bibliotheca Sacra,1998)
  • Global Crossroads, W. Harold Fuller, editor (1998)
  • Leadership And Power, Richard Leslie Parrot, editor (2003)
  • Giving Ourselves To Prayer, Dan. R. Crawford, compiler (2008)
  • Welcoming The Stranger (foreword), Matthew Soerens and Jenny Yang, authors (2009, 2019)
  • The Shriver Report, Olivia Morgan and Karen Skelton, editors (2014)
  • Religious Freedom, LGBT Rights And Prospects For Common Ground, William H. Eskridge and Robin Fretwell Wilson, editors (2019)

References

  1. ^ Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly . PROFILE . LEITH ANDERSON . November 24, 2006. PBS (2006-11-24). Retrieved on 2011-06-22.
  2. ^ Pastor Leith Anderson – Faith Matters Christian Radio Sermons, Ministry Broadcast, Podcasts. Oneplace.com (2011-06-17). Retrieved on 2011-06-22.
  3. ^ "Q and A: Pastor Leith Anderson". SWNewsMedia.com. January 4, 2012.
  4. ^ a b French, Rose. "Pawlenty's pastor will retire at year's end". Star Tribune.
  5. ^ Gordon, Tracy (July 1, 2011). "Evangelical leader to retire from Minn. pulpit". Religion News Service.
  6. ^ "Search for new Wooddale Church senior pastor enters second year". hometownsource.com. March 2, 2013.
  7. ^ NAE Formally Names Leith Anderson President, Christian News. Christianpost.com (2007-10-15). Retrieved on 2011-06-22.
  8. ^ Shellnutt, Kate (February 1, 2019). "Leith Anderson Retiring From National Association of Evangelicals". Christianity Today. Retrieved July 22, 2019.
  9. ^ a b c Yi, Fred (November 24, 2006). "PROFILE - Leith Anderson". PBS.
  10. ^ a b c d Green, Emma (December 25, 2019). "Evangelicalism's Silent Majority". The Atlantic.
  11. ^ a b Smith, Samuel (February 8, 2019). "Leith Anderson to retire from NAE, praised for shaping evangelical mov't in complex times". The Christian Post.
  12. ^ a b c Banks, Adelle M. (November 27, 2019). "Retiring NAE head Leith Anderson: Evangelicals not just white or political". Religion News Service.
  13. ^ "Minnesotan retires as head of National Association of Evangelicals". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2020-01-01.
  14. ^ Dean, Lee (August 15, 2016). "The Financial Health of Pastors". Church Law & Tax.
  15. ^ "Bio - Leith Anderson". www.wvi.org.
  16. ^ Vu, Michelle A. (October 15, 2007). "NAE Formally Names Leith Anderson President". The Christian Post.
Religious titles
Preceded by President of the National Association of Evangelicals
2001–2003 		Succeeded by
Preceded by President of the National Association of Evangelicals
2006–2019 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Leith_Anderson&oldid=1216219473"