New Creation Conversations Episode 033 - Dr. Will Willimon on Resident Aliens, the Blessings and Challenges of Pastoral Ministry, and the Purpose of Preaching

Welcome to episode thirty-three of New Creation Conversations. In today’s conversation I am joined by well-known author and professor Dr. Will Willimon. Will served as the dean of Duke Chapel and professor of Christian ministry at Duke Divinity School for 20 years. He returned to Duke after serving as the bishop of the North Alabama Conference from 2004 to 2012. Will has written more than 70 books and has sold more than a million copies of them. He has written frequently for publications like Theology Today, Interpretation, Liturgy, and Christianity Today. He is editor-at-large for The Christian Century. One of the books we discuss – Pastor: The Theology and Practice of Ordained Ministry is used in dozens of seminaries throughout North America and Asia. He has taught all over the world. In addition to his three earned degrees from Wofford College, Yale Divinity School, and Emory University, Will has been granted honorary Doctorates from 13 different educational institutions.

 I first got introduced to Will and his work 30 years ago through his life-changing collaboration with ethicist Stanley Hauerwas entitled Resident Aliens: Life in the Christian Colony (first published in 1989). We talk about the impact of that book, as well as his writing on preaching and pastoral ministry. It is a great and thoughtful conversation. But mostly, Will just kept me laughing. So many times, since starting this podcast, I have grieved the absence of my father. He would have loved so many of these conversations. I think he would especially loved this one, and he would have had a hundred questions after it was over. This conversation with Will reminded me so much of sitting around a table listening to my dad and his ministry cronies tell funny stories, say provocative things they could only now say in the freedom of retirement, and come up with nuggets of wisdom gained the fire of decades leading a parish. Four or five times, in our conversation, Will says things I want to turn into a T-Shirt.

I have cherished the chance to have conversations with leaders in my own tribe, but I have also grown to love the chance to speak to leaders from other denominations and traditions whose lives and ministries reflect the heartbeat of Jesus. This is one of those kinds of conversations. It was an honor to get to have this conversation, and it’s an even greater privilege to get to offer it to you. Here’s my New Creation Conversation with Dr. Will Willimon.