From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Lowell Livezey
Lowell Livezey
ministry began. After receiving his doctorate, Dr. Livezey
spent two decades in the peace movement. His first job
was with the World Without War Council, first in Chica-
go, then as the organization’s National Director in New
York. He then went on to serve as Administrative Direc-
tor, undergraduate program, of the Woodrow Wilson
School at Princeton University. This work inspired him
to conduct a study of how NGO’s conceived of human
rights, beginning his second career in studying commu-
nities, meanings, culture, and social change. After pub-
lishing Nongovernmental Organizations and the Ideas of Hu-
man Rights, Dr. Livezey turned his attention to congrega-
tions, founding the Religion in Urban America Program.
He then taught at Harvard as Luce Lecturer in Urban
Ministry at Harvard Divinity School and directed of its
Metropolitan Congregational Studies Project. In 2005, Dr.
Livezey became Professor of Urban and Religious Studies
and Director of the Ecologies of Learning Project (EOL) at
New York Theological Seminary, funded through a ma-
Dr. Lowell W. Livezey (February 15 1943 - December 9 jor $2 million grant from Lilly Endowment, Inc. of In-
2007) was a leader in the field of congregational studies dianapolis. With EOL, Dr. Livezey considered the entire
and urban ministry research. At the time of his death, he New York metropolitan area to be his research laborato-
was Professor of Urban and Religious Studies and Direc- ry.
tor of the Ecologies of Learning Project at New York The- Dr. Dale T. Irvin, President of New York Theological
ological Seminary[1]. Born on February 15 1943 in Erie, Seminary, stated that “Lowell Livezey was a person im-
Pennsylvania, Dr. Livezey directed large studies of urban mense insight, wisdom and compassion, a person of great
congregations in Chicago and Boston—the Religion in Ur- integrity and depth, and an outstanding colleague. He
ban America Program at the University of Illinois, and embodied the values of teaching, learning and research
the Metropolitan Congregational Studies Project at Har- that lie at the heart of the scholarly endeavor. He also
vard Divinity School. The Chicago project (1992-2002) re- was a friend, a caring human being, someone around
sulted in the book Public Religion and Urban Transfor- whom community is easily formed. In the language that
mation (New York University Press, 2000), as well as is familiar to the people of faith, Lowell has simply been a
more than 35 scholarly papers and conferences. Lowell blessing to NYTS. Lowell helped us all understand the life
W. Livezey studied, taught, and wrote on the agency of and work of the churches and especially the intellectual
religious organizations—especially churches, syna- task of preparation for ministry more clearly.”
gogues, mosques, and other worship centers—in large ur- Dr. Peter Paris, Professor of Christian Social Ethics
ban areas. Using ethnographic data assembled in collab- Emeritus, Princeton Theological Seminary and NYTS
oration with colleagues and students in Chicago, Boston, Trustee, stated that “Lowell Livezey had a great passion
and New York, he argued that the “religion factor” is for all matters pertaining to human rights and social jus-
more salient than often recognized in the economic, de- tice and especially the many and varied ways that reli-
mographic, and spatial restructuring of modern industri- gious institutions inspire and initiate those endeavors.”
al cities. Dr. Craig Dykstra, Senior Vice President, Religion, Lil-
Dr. Livezey received the B.A. from Swarthmore Col- ly Endowment, stated that “Lowell Livezey’s work on re-
lege and the Master of Theology and Doctor of Ministry ligion and urban culture is path-breaking—a permanent
degrees from the University of Chicago School of Divini- contribution. His patient, generous and imaginative work
ty. He also studied at the University of Keele in Stafford- with pastors and other religious leaders in Chicago, Bos-
shire, England. While an undergraduate at Swarthmore, ton and New York, as well as with scholars, will bear
he founded the Chester Home Improvement Project great fruit for many years to come.”
(CHIP) in Chester, PA where his commitment to urban
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Lowell Livezey
Dr. Livezey died of pancreatic cancer at his home in Persondata
New York City with his wife, Dr. Lois Gehr Livezey, at his
Name Livezey, Lowell
side. Dr. Gehr Livezey, who retired in 2006 as Professor
of Christian Ethics at McCormick Theological Seminary, Alternative names
served as Director of the Globalization Project of the Cen- Short description
ter for World Christianity at New York Theological Semi- Date of birth February 15, 1943
nary.
Place of birth
Date of death December 9, 2007
External links Place of death
• Ecologies of Learning Project
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lowell_Livezey&oldid=451231186"
Categories:
• 1943 births
• 2007 deaths
• American religion academics
• Harvard Divinity School faculty
• University of Chicago faculty
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