Agent of Thriving, Placemaking & Community Economic Development

Rev. Luke Lingle, an ordained UMC pastor currently serving as the Executive Pastor at Central UMC in Asheville NC, is an Ormond Center Agent of Thriving. In this role, he leverages his practical ministry experience to help lead the Center’s Placemaking Lab program and other initiatives to support North Carolina churches committed to fostering thriving congregations and communities in their local contexts through social innovations. Luke suggests that “part of our work, as we live into the Shalom of God, is to share God's love throughout the communities where we are planted. Our context matters and the Placemaking Lab helps local churches and pastoral leaders grow their impact through proper stewardship.” He is particularly drawn to the stewardship of UMC resources in the local church, whether it be an underutilized building or contextual partnerships. He believes that “how we steward the gifts given to us by God is important work.”

Luke’s areas of theological study include the intersection of economic and community development and the role of leadership development in local communities. He uses his education, training, and experience in the local church to help other practitioners follow their call. Prior to serving at Central UMC, Luke served as one of the Managing Directors at Missional Wisdom Foundation, a United Methodist Extension Ministry; a Church Vitality Strategist of the Western North Carolina Conference; and an Associate Pastor at Etowah UMC and Union Grove UMC. When he graduated from seminary in 2007, he received a three-year grant from the Duke Endowment with his mentor Rev. Rich Greenway to develop Christian Education Curriculum based on the power of storytelling. Luke is an accredited personal coach, a writer, and a mentor. He enjoys developing new programs that help serve the greater community.