Modern religious institutions in urban settings face significant challenges in resource management, transparency, and community engagement. This research develops and validates the LCM Model (Leadership, Committees, and Modern Management) to enhance the operational effectiveness of Buddhist temples in the Bangkok Metropolitan Area. Utilizing a mixed-methods sequential explanatory design, the study first conducted a quantitative survey with 360 temple abbots and representatives using multistage random sampling. Data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) through LISREL. This was followed by a qualitative phase involving in-depth interviews with 15 key informants, including successful administrators and government officials, to refine the model.The findings indicate that Buddhist leadership, community participation, and management innovation all maintain a "High" level of practice within urban temples. The SEM analysis confirms that these three factors have a statistically significant positive influence on temple operational effectiveness (p < .05), collectively explaining 87% of the variance in institutional performance. Notably, Buddhist leadership serves as the primary driver, catalyzing both community synergy and the adoption of modern management tools. The resulting LCM Model provides a strategic roadmap for religious administrators to achieve long-term sustainability and maintain public trust amidst rapid social and technological change.
Keywords: Buddhist Leadership; Management Innovation; Community Participation; Institutional Effectiveness; LCM Model; Urban Religious Governance. I.