Loren Benjamin Mead was an American Episcopal priest, author, and influential consultant recognized for his pioneering work in congregational development and urban ministry. He was the founder and first president of the Alban Institute, an organization dedicated to providing resources, research, and consultancy for clergy and congregations across various denominations. Mead is widely credited with shifting the focus of religious research toward the health and effectiveness of the local congregation as the primary unit of religious life. Throughout his career, Mead authored several seminal works on the future of the church, including 'The Once and Future Church: Reinventing the Congregation for a New Mission Frontier' (1991). His work emphasized the transition of the church from an established cultural institution to a missionary movement in a post-Christendom world. He was a frequent lecturer and consultant to denominational leaders globally, focusing on leadership, conflict resolution, and institutional change within religious frameworks. He was the father of a son named Loren Mead.