About the Author

William H. Willimon is the author of many books on preaching and ministerial leadership. He is Professor of the Practice of Christian Ministry at Duke Divinity School where he directs the Doctor of Ministry program. He is a United Methodist bishop, retired. As Dean of the Duke Chapel, his sermons established his reputation as one of the most influential American preachers.

Reviews

"Will Willimon's argument connecting preaching and leadership is fundamental to ministry. Preaching and leadership is as basic as connecting hearing and doing. The encounter with Christ is meant to change people and communities. 'The word preached leads to the word performed.' Worthy stuff in a church often unsure of its connection to God's presence and power." --Gil Rendle, author of Quietly Courageous: Leading the Church in a Changing World"I believe that you have to love your people enough to preach the gospel to them--honestly, courageously, and, yes, prophetically. Will Willimon believes that, too, and says every pastor should lead by preaching. In these times, in particular, we need preachers who will preach the truth of Jesus Christ--all of it." --Jim Wallis, founder and editor-in-chief, Sojourners"Will Willimon is right: to preach is to lead. Preachers, read and be renewed in your calling to this wondrous work." --Bishop Hope Morgan Ward, North Carolina Conference, United Methodist Church"Willimon's passion for proclamation, his vivid storytelling, and his rich pastoral wisdom are evident on every page." --Angela Deener Hancock, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary"One of the great preachers of our time shows the intimate linkage between preaching and leadership, showing the synergies that emerge from seeing preaching as leadership. In an era when we desperately need our words to be appropriate to the Word, and to show the effects of those words in discipleship, Will Willimon charts an exciting and faithful path for preachers who lead, and leaders who preach!" --L. Gregory Jones, Dean and Williams Distinguished Professor, Duke Divinity School"William Willimon keeps his eye firmly on what is too often forgotten: leading a congregation--together with its call, task and effectiveness--begins with the preaching with the Word of God. This book helpfully serves as an antidote to the widespread separation of pastoral preaching and leadership, as well as an immunization against the temptation to think of them more as personal accomplishments than gifts from God for the church." --Kimlyn J. Bender, author of Reading Karl Barth for the Church: A Guide and Companion