Author Archives: willwillimon

How often do we hear the pastor congratulate us on Sunday morning for being in church and participating in worship? In this sermon, I try and walk us through how this psalm explicitly defines God’s character and how it can make a difference in our lives by participating in the countercultural activity of attending worship eachContinue reading “Worship Attendance as Countercultural”

Over the next couple weeks, and beginning tonight at 7pm EST, I’ll be joining my friends at Crackers&Grape Juice for a three-part conversation on my book “Don’t Look Back: Methodist Hope for What Comes Next.” My hope for these conversations and for the book is that they are constructive, moving-forward talks in a time whereContinue reading “Don’t Look Back Webinar Series”

Luke 14:25-33 is, well, a daunting passage. We encounter Jesus’ searing words about hating family–even our own lives. Some might read this as too much of a cross to bear, but perhaps we can read this as “a gracious invitation to count the cost…to sign up for discipleship, to take up the cross and followContinue reading “The Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Year C”

I had a great time talking with Pod Only Knows out of Wesley Memorial UMC out of Wilmington. We touch on preaching, listening to preaching, and goings-on in the American church.

Psalm 66 is an invitation to worship God. But it’s not just an invitation for us: it’s an invitation for all of creation to join in praise unto our God. “Shout for joy to God, all the earth!” Thanks to A Sermon for Every Sunday for this sermon. I do hope you’ll enjoy!

Here’s a a Pentecost Sunday sermon called “The Holy Spirit Helps Us” based on John 14:8-17. I ask the question: “How do we get to know God?”  Through Jesus!  “How do we continue getting to know God and God’s will for us and the world?”  Through the Holy Spirit! But what does the Holy Spirit do?Continue reading “How do we get to know God?”

What a privilege it was to preach at Saint Peter’s Anglican Church in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina this weekend. The assigned gospel afforded me the opportunity to preach about the Holy Spirit

I had an enjoyable conversation with my good friend, James Howell, about the joys of biblical preaching. And afterwards, one of my star students, Taylor Pryde Barefoot talks about her ministry in Charlotte.

“Listening is a human skill, but as God’s word is proclaimed, the hearer experiences a vocal mix of preacher, listener, and God.” Thanks, Rick, for having me on to talk about Listeners Dare. You can listen to our conversation below.

“The gospel is news that passes from the lips of one who has heard to the ears of one who has not yet heard, then (God willing) it burrows in the soul, energizing the hands in daring response to a word received. Preaching is instigated by an astounding claim: Good news; God has spoken toContinue reading “Listeners Dare on Crackers & Grape Juice”