William Willimon News Today

Three decades of weddings, funerals, baptisms, Bible studies, crisis counseling, the seven-day sermon cycle, committee meetings and covered-dish luncheons.

In my historical research I try to find a balance between the beautiful and the terrible. This Christmas post, an ode to biblical history and Wesleyan history, focuses on the beautiful.

A young preacher had given a practice sermon in a seminary class. His preaching professor was giving him a hard time. Finally, the young preacher said, “I thought it was

This prayer enshrines an immense number of mysteries and contains all that is necessary for salvation.

Half a century ago, the church, not surprisingly given the times, was splintered over race. Black and white methodists were separate. Same denomination. Same God. Yet separate.

Despite our mistakes, God wants us to know we are precious and that He wants to bless us.

Three recent scandals in the Methodist church are forcing it to do some serious soul-searching.

My own personal Jesus: Can he be trusted?

A Conversation with Will Willimon immediately after the network premiere of A Will to Preach, a half-hour documentary film examining the perspective and impact of the renowned minister, on Thursday, May 27. Airing at 9:30 p.m., A Will to Preach was produced by Susie Films and examines Willimon’s perspective and theology. The film touches on several characteristics of his preaching style, including his affinity for storytelling, his use of laughter and his desire to act as a provocateur, emp...

May 8, 2021 Are you familiar with the idea of burnout, the feeling of being emotionally overextended and depleted? Most have experienced it to some degree. This feeling negatively impacts relationships and produces a decline in our sense of competence and productivity. Theologian William Willimon, explained burnout as “a rocket that runs out of fuel and falls back to the earth.” This past year, especially, people have been feeling this way. What can we do about it? What steps can we take to...