Keynote speaker for the 2018 Theological Leadership Conference on Olivet’s campus is Dr. William Willimon, noted author, church leader and ministry professor.
“Dr. Willimon will lead a conversation about the need for theologically formed leadership in the church,” said Dr. Mark Quanstrom ’77, dean of Olivet’s School of Theology and Christian Ministry. “With his experience both in the academy and in the church, he is well-suited for this topic.”
Dr. Willimon is the Professor of the Practice of Christian Ministry at Duke Divinity School. For eight years, he served as bishop of the North Alabama Conference of The United Methodist Church, leading 157,000 Methodists and 792 pastors. For 20 years prior to the episcopacy, he was dean of the Chapel and Professor of Christian Ministry at Duke University. He has taught at various seminaries in Germany, Singapore, New Zealand and Australia.
He is the author of 70 books, and more than a million copies of his books have been sold. His book, Worship as Pastoral Care, was selected as one of the 10 most useful books for pastors in 1979 by the Academy of Parish Clergy. His newest book, released in 2017, is Who Lynched Willie Earle? Confronting Racism through Preaching. His articles have appeared in many publications, including Theology Today, Interpretation, Liturgy, and Christianity Today. He is editor-at-large for The Christian Century.
Theological Leadership Conference participants will also enjoy time devoted to special presentations, breakout discussion groups, conversation and community meals.
The conference will be held at College Church of the Nazarene University Avenue, 200 University Ave., Bourbonnais, IL 60914.
Registration is now open at Olivet.edu/TLC. Cost per person is $59 before January 15, 2018, and $79 per person after January 15. For students, the cost is $29 per person.
For more information about Olivet’s 2018 Theological Leadership Conference, contact Carlos Lonberger, director of church relations, at calonberger@olivet.edu or 800-648-1463.
