William Willimon, Duke Theologian, Becomes North Alabama United Methodist Bishop

By Vivian S. Park

Duke University Chapel Dean William H. Willimon, one of the nation’s most notable theologians, is leaving Duke Divinity as he has been elected United Methodist bishop for North Alabama.

Willimon, who has been Dean of the Chapel and Professor of Christian Ministry at Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, since 1984, was elected as a bishop on Wednesday during a meeting of the Southeastern Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church at Lake Junaluska, N.C. and was consecrated Saturday in Birmingham. He will take office Sept. 1 for two years as head of the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church, which has 157,862 members in about 860 churches.

Willimon is the author of over fifty books on church practice that have often criticized liberal theology and decline in the second-largest U.S. Protestant denomination. His “Worship As Pastoral Care” was selected as one of the ten most useful books for pastors in 1979 by the Academy of Parish Clergy. Over a million copies of his books have been sold. In 1996, an international survey conducted by Baylor University named him one of the “Twelve Most Effective Preachers” in the English-speaking world.

Duke Divinity School Dean L. Gregory Jones called Willimon an extraordinary leader.

"I'm delighted for Will and for the church," Jones said. "It is a loss for Duke, but a great gift for the United Methodist Church."

Noting a steady decline in United Methodist denomination across the nation, Willimon showed his desire to restore membership.

"We're going to stop that," Willimon said. "We've got a great church, a great Jesus.

Willimon is a graduate of Wofford College (B.A., 1968), Yale Divinity School (M. Div., 1971), and Emory University (S.T.D., 1973). He has served as pastor of churches in Georgia and South Carolina. For four years, beginning in 1976, he served as Assistant Professor of Liturgy and Worship at Duke Divinity School, teaching courses in liturgics and homiletics and serving as Director of the Ministerial Course of Study School at Duke and Presiding Minister in the Divinity School Chapel.

He has been awarded honorary degrees from Westminster College (D.D., 1990), Wofford College (D. Hum. L., 1994), Lehigh University (D. Litt., 1995), Campbell University (D.D., 1997), Lafayette College (D.D., 1999), Colgate University (D.D., 2000), and Centre College (D.D., 2001). In 1992, he was named as the first Distinguished Alumnus of Yale Divinity School.

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.

Top Stories