Category Archives: Will Willimon

Miserable Job

Posted on October 20, 2013 by Richard Heyduck

On page 53 of Bishop Will Willimon references Patrick Lencioni’s definition of makes a job miserable: “Lack of measurement. Lack of accountability. Anonymity.” I’ve read a few of Lencioni’s books, but not this one (Three Signs of a Miserable Job.) … Continue reading →

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Equivocating “Education”

Posted on October 20, 2013 by Richard Heyduck

It’s been a while since I’ve dialogued/argued with Will Willimon’s Bishop. Seems like a good time to pick it up again. On page 42 he says, “The United Methodist practice of itineracy is so deeply countercultural that we may be … Continue reading →

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Poor God?

Posted on August 9, 2013 by Richard Heyduck

I’m not a proponent of the prosperity Gospel. On the contrary, most versions of it sound like heresy. I am, however, a proponent of a Philippians 4:19 Gospel: “My God shall supply all your needs through his riches in glory … Continue reading →

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Lead the Mission

Posted on September 23, 2012 by Richard Heyduck

In describing the work of appointment making in his book Bishop, Will Willimon frames the big picture this way: “The task of the bishop and the DSs in the appointive process is to send clergy who can lead the mission … Continue reading →

Posted in Leadership, Texas Annual Conference, Will Willimon | 1 Comment

Why Be in Ministry?

Posted on August 9, 2012 by Richard Heyduck

In his book, Bishop, Will Willimon says, “The only good reason for anybody to be in ministry is theological.” Why be in ministry? We’re in ministry because of who God is and what God has done in Christ. We’re in … Continue reading →

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A Different Future

Posted on July 31, 2012 by Richard Heyduck

Will Willimon’s Bishop functions as a study of the episcopacy and as a spiritual autobiography. Reading it, we gain insight into the church, its leadership, and its leaders. Willimon is explicit and plain-spoken about his convictions. At one point he … Continue reading →

Posted in Ecclesiology, Local church, Ministry, United Methodism, Will Willimon | 1 Comment

The “Most Revealing Indicator…”

Posted on July 26, 2012 by Richard Heyduck

One of the claims Will Willimon makes in his book Bishop is that, “The most revealing indicator of congregational vitality is the trend in worship attendance.” Worship attendance sure is important. I remember many years ago reading a biographical blurb … Continue reading →

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Who’s Fit to Preach?

Posted on July 12, 2012 by Richard Heyduck

My memory of the fine details of my own life events isn’t too sharp. Since my own passage through the hurdles set before me by the Board of Ordained Ministry was thirty years ago, I don’t remember everything. I do … Continue reading →

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Surprised by… Sin?

Posted on July 9, 2012 by Richard Heyduck

If you watch tv, I bet you’ve seen a show where someone no one suspected turned out to have deep, dark secrets. A man everyone knew to be a loving and engaged father was really a molester. A woman who … Continue reading →

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Subordination

Posted on June 26, 2012 by Richard Heyduck

In his book Bishop, Will Willimon says, “Leaders in the church are subordinate to the mission of the church.” I served in a pastoral role for 25 years. During all that time, I, as pastor, was subordinate to the mission … Continue reading →

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