willwillimon

Steve West Ain’t Leaving the UMC

I had the privilege of working with Steve West when I was in Alabama, preached in Steve’s congregations on a number of occasions, and enlisted him to reform Annual Conference worship. We even wrote and published two hymns together. It’s great to see clergy like Steve standing up and saying clearly, “I’m not leaving theContinue reading “Steve West Ain’t Leaving the UMC”

Accidental Preacher: Now an Audiobook

I had the pleasure of recording an audiobook edition of my memoir Accidental Preacher for Eerdmans, and it is now out through Audible. Amazon has a sample available if you’re interested. —Will

Separation Sadness

My thoughts on the recently announced “Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace through Separation” (of Orwellian name) will soon be published on Ministry Matters, but in the meantime here’s an interview I did at Crackers and Grape Juice with my friends Jason and Teer that we’re calling Separation Sadness. —Will

What is Jesus Doing?

This month Intervarsity Press publishes a collection in honor of Andrew Purves, the great pastoral theologian who recently retired from Pittsburgh Seminary. The book, What Is Jesus Doing? God’s Activity in the Life and Work of the Church, is edited by Edwin Chr. van Driel and explores the notion that God is the active agent within theContinue reading “What is Jesus Doing?”

Jesus Goes His Own Way

Here’s a sermon I preached a few years ago that you might find still worth hearing. It was at Marble Collegiate Church in Manhattan. –Will

Collected from the Century

Some of my older pieces from the Christian Century are available for free at Religion Online along with many other articles from fine folks, some of whom I count as friends. You might check out, for example, “From Seminary to Parish” or “Ministry as More Than a Helping Profession” which I wrote with Stanley Hauerwas.Continue reading “Collected from the Century”

Looking for Lectionary Help?

Some folks may not realize that I’ve been providing pastors a lectionary help for decades now. Pulpit Resource is now published by Ministry Matters and is available both in a quarterly printed edition and electronically. Each week I pick one of the texts, often the gospel lesson, and provide an exegetical sketch, a prayer, aContinue reading “Looking for Lectionary Help?”

United Methodist Beliefs

I recently saw a glowing review of my 2007 book United Methodist Beliefs, which promises, “You’re not going to get a better, more readable introduction to Wesleyan thought.” You can find the rest of Brent White’s thoughts on the book here or purchase the book from Westminster John Knox here. –Will

Theology of Science and Methodism

The Christian Century recently published their year-in-review lists. My piece “Crossing the Boundary between Theology and Science” was one of their top reviews, and “The Methodist mess in St. Louis” was their second-most read article of the year. Perhaps you’d like to join the many others who have read them? —Will

Story for Christmas

I’ve been assembling a collection of some of my stories that were published in the past. That collection will appear in the coming year as Stories by Willimon (Abingdon Press). Here’s a Yuletide offering for you, an account of a service that occurred early in my ministry. Allan Warren retired this year after four decadesContinue reading “Story for Christmas”