Author Archives: willwillimon

I’ve received a good deal of response to my email last week about measuring effectiveness in ministry. Reagin Brown sent me this excerpt, which he found at the Crossmarks website. It’s from an article by Harold Percy, “Good News People.” I very much liked its contrast between “maintenance” and “mission” as well as its stressContinue reading “Maintenance or Mission?”

“A pastorate too susceptible to the praise or the blame of the congregation is a betrayal of the larger claims of our vocation. Clergy were the first professionals, not because we had received some high level of specialized knowledge that was unavailable to others, but because we had a boy of doctrine to profess. WeContinue reading “Ministry Professionals”

Earlier last week, the clergy of the North Alabama Conference met at Sumatanga in our annual Bishop’s Convocation on Ministry. Our theme was “More,” in recognition of our revised Conference Vision Statement that now includes, “growing more disciples.” Here were some of my opening comments to our gathered colleagues. More Jesus said the Kingdom ofContinue reading “More”

“One of [Karl] Barth’s great gifts was his cultivation of naivete. Whether he is being precritical or postcritical I cannot say for sure, but I love the way that Barth continues to be shocked, surprised, and filled with wonderment at biblical texts, all the way to the end of his life. In seminary courses inContinue reading “Wonder”

As a pastor, I found not only that my Sundays were different but my Mondays too. Monday is the day when pastors pause, take stock, and seek restoration after a busy Sunday. This Monday is the beginning of our Bishop’s Convocation on Ministry when our pastors gather to pause, take stock, and seek restoration. Here’sContinue reading “Monday: A Prayer”