William Willimon

Professor of the Practice of Christian Ministry

Office

214 Gray

Duke Divinity School
Box 90968
Durham, NC 27708-0968

Degrees

B.A., Wofford College
M.Div., Yale Divinity School
S.T.D., Emory University

Honorary Degrees

Westminster College D. D.
Wofford College D. Hum.L.
Lehigh University D. Litt.
Campbell University D.D.
Lafeyette College D.D.
Colgate University D.D.
Centre College D.D.
LaGrange College D.D.
Albright College D.D.
Birmingham-Southern College D.D.
Methodist College D. Hum. Ltt.
Mennonite Theological Seminary D.D.
Hood Theological Seminary, D. Hum. Ltt.

A bishop in the United Methodist Church, Professor Willimon served as the dean of Duke Chapel and professor of Christian ministry at Duke University for 20 years. He returned to Duke after serving as the bishop of the North Alabama Conference from 2004 to 2012. He has taught in Germany, Singapore, New Zealand, and Australia in various seminaries. He is a trustee of Wofford College, Emory University, and serves on the Dean’s Committee of Yale Divinity School. 

Willimon is the author of over 70 books. His Worship as Pastoral Care was selected as one of the 10 most useful books for pastors in 1979 by the Academy of Parish Clergy. More than a million copies of his books have been sold. His articles have appeared in many publications including Theology Today, Interpretation, Liturgy, and Christianity Today. He is editor-at-large for The Christian Century. His book Pastor: the Theology and Practice of Ordained Leadership is used in dozens of seminaries in the United States and Asia.

News and Stories

D.Min. Program Welcomes Two New Cohorts

This year’s incoming D.Min. class welcomes 39 students from a variety of backgrounds and professional placements who are seeking advanced theological training and are divided into two conceptual cohorts: Traditional Leadership and Missional Innovation.