Leonard Sweet

Leonard I. Sweet is an American theologian, semiotician, church historian, pastor, and author. Sweet currently serves as the E. Stanley Jones Professor of Evangelism at Drew Theological School at Drew University, in Madison, New Jersey; and a Visiting Distinguished Professor at George Fox University in Portland, Oregon. Sweet is a leading figure in bridging the worlds of academe, pop culture, and the church, which has embroiled him in a variety of controversies (especially with the emerging church movement and traditionalists). For example, see his dispute with Brian McLaren. Sweet was a pioneer advocate of contextualizing Christianity into digital culture. Leonard Sweet tells pastors to embrace change, but keep Jesus at the heart of everything. He is regularly voted one of the most influential Christian leaders in America. Sweet is ordained in the United Methodist denomination.

Biography

Before becoming the E. Stanley Jones Professor of Evangelism, Sweet had been Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the Theological School at Drew from 1995 to 2000. Prior to his appointments at Drew University, he served as President and Professor of Church History at United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio. His first academic administration position was as Provost and Associate Professor of Church History at Colgate Rochester Divinity School/Bexley Hall/Crozer Theological Seminary.