United Methodist Director for the Institute on Religion and Democracy

John Lomperis is the United Methodist Director for the Institute on Religion & Democracy (IRD). He has a bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies from the University of Chicago and an M.Div from Harvard Divinity School.

He is a lay delegate for the Indiana Conference to General and Jurisdictional Conferences of The United Methodist Church. He is also an editor of Juicy Ecumenism, a blog at IRD.

Early Life and Education

john lomperis, IRD’s United Methodist Director, began his career at IRD in 2004 as a Research Assistant. After earning his bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies at the University of Chicago, he earned a Master of Divinity from Harvard and returned to IRD to lead United Methodist program efforts.

He is a delegate from the Indiana Conference, the denomination’s largest jurisdiction, and serves on General Conference’s Legislative Committee and as a member of the church’s Board of Directors. He is the author of many articles, book chapters, and book reviews on United Methodists. In addition, he has been instrumental in tracing the rise of theological liberalism within American Methodism. His current academic research focuses on theological and social issues related to physical and spiritual wellness, with an emphasis on women’s voices in the history of Christianity and constructive science-engaged theologies.

Professional Career

John Lomperis first joined the Institute on Religion and Democracy (IRD) in 2004 as a research assistant. He later served as a Research Associate, earned a master’s degree from Harvard Divinity School, and returned to IRD as United Methodist Director.

IRD’s director is also a lay delegate to the General Conference of the United Methodist Church. He recently helped spearhead a petition calling for the United Methodist Church to drop its relationship with the pro-abortion group RCRC.

He is a well-known blogger, a prolific author and has been featured in several media outlets. He is also the director of UM Action, a non-profit that works with local churches to address issues and improve communities. The organization is currently based in Chicago, Illinois and has offices worldwide.

Achievements and Honors

John Lomperis is a professor of political science at the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York. He has published a number of books and articles on the Vietnam War, theology and religious studies, theological history, and other topics.

He was also a proud recipient of the American Political Science Association’s (APSA) Teaching Award for Excellence in Teaching in the 2004-2005 academic year. In addition, he is an avid reader. He enjoys reading about politics, religion, and history. He is a member of the American Historical Association and the Society for Historians of Religion. He is also an active member of his church. He has served as a delegate from his jurisdiction at General Conference, the United Methodist Church’s highest rule-making body.

Personal Life

John Lomperis has been a delegate from the Indiana Conference to General Conference, the United Methodist Church’s highest rule-making body, since 2006. He is married and lives in Indianapolis.

He is also director of the Institute on Religion & Democracy’s United Methodist Action Program and a founding member of the Global Methodist Church.

In his Washington Post op-ed, Lomperis states that the UMC is still committed to a “one man, one woman” view of marriage. This is a view that is virtually unbiblical and contrary to the consensus of scholarly scholars.