E. LeBron Fairbanks

Edward LeBron Fairbanks retired in October 2011 as the education commissioner for the Church of the Nazarene. In this assignment, he served as the administrator of the International Board of Education (IBOE), a consortium of 52 denominational universities, colleges, and seminaries on campuses and learning centers in 120 nations.

Dr. Fairbanks authored the book, Leading Decisively! Leading Faithfully! Reflections and Markers. The book has been translated into seven languages. He co-authored the 2008 leadership text, Learning to be Last: Leadership for Congregational Transformation and co-authored in 2012, Best Practices for Effective Board. He created the teaching video, Building Better Boards: A Conversation, produced in 2012, now available in English, Spanish, and Burmese. In addition, he has written numerous books and articles, including the ministerial course of study text, Leading the People of God: Servant Leadership for a Servant Community.

Dr. Fairbanks earned his bachelor’s degree at Trevecca Nazarene University. He also earned three master's degrees— M.A. from Scarritt College, M.Div. from the Nazarene Theological Seminary, and M.Th. from Princeton Theological Seminary.

He was designated a Fellow in Pastoral Leadership Education by Princeton Theological Seminary and earned the Doctor of Ministry degree from Nazarene Theological Seminary. Dr. Fairbanks completed the summer program at the Harvard University Institute of Educational Management and was a Research Fellow at Yale University Divinity School.

Dr. Fairbanks became Academic Dean in 1978 for the European Nazarene College near Schaffhausen, Switzerland. In 1984, he was elected President of the Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary in Manila, Philippines, where he served until accepting the presidency of Mount Vernon Nazarene University in Mount Vernon, Ohio, in July 1989. He served MVNU as university president for 18 years, retiring in 2007.

In retirement, Dr. Fairbanks writes, consults and speaks to governing boards and their leaders. His assignments have taken him in retirement to Australia, Philippines, Cuba, Costa Rica, Germany, Portugal, South Africa, Kenya, Argentina, Italy, Korea, Myanmar and the United States. He also serves as adjunct professor at Trevecca Nazarene University.

He and his wife, Anne have one son, Stephen. Dr. Fairbanks can be contacted at lfairbanks@boardserve.org. His blog/website address is www.boardserve.org.