James Lowery graduated from Harvard College, served as a guided missile officer during the Korean conflict, and then received a graduate theology degree from Virginia Seminary in Alexandra.

After a decade as parson in upstate New York, he served 25 years as consultant in clergy development and the sociology of organizations/professions, guided by studies under Joseph Fichter, SJ.

His work led to interaction with small churches and communities and the bi-vocational clergy who serve in many of them.

He is married to the former Anita Wu of Shanghai. They have one daughter and two grandchildren.