Meet the Author
Will Willimon spent twenty years as Dean of the Chapel and Professor of Christian Ministry at Duke University before serving as a Bishop in the United Methodist Church from 2004-2012. After completing his work as bishop, he returned to his role as Professor of Christian Ministry.
Willimon is the author of over sixty books including two best sellers: Sinning Like a Christian: A New Look at the Seven Deadly Sins and Thank God It’s Friday: Encountering the Seven Last Words from the Cross. Two of his books have been reviewed on this site: The Best of Will Willimon (2012) and Why Jesus? (2010).
Book Basics
As one who rarely reads fiction, I am fascinated when widely read Christian leaders opt to give writing fiction a try late in their careers (check out my thoughts on Marcus Borg’s lone attempt at fiction in my review of Putting Away Childish Things – 2010). Incorporation is Willimon’s first and only attempt at fiction. While Willimon’s effort didn’t grab and hold my attention in the way Borg’s book did, his decision to write fiction allowed him considerable freedom to write about some of the many troubling practices that happen in churches.
Hope Church is a large mainline congregation overseen by a pastor who is more interested in inflating his ego and chasing a woman who is not his wife than he is in helping strategically lead the congregation into the future. Incorporation is the story of his final season as Senior Managing Pastor, including how his ministry in this congregation comes to an end. Hope Church’s problems extend far beyond this one man into areas well known by those who have been in ministry, including aging buildings, financial difficulties that extend to ministries with a presence beyond the church campus, and poor decision making by a new youth minister.
Used wisely, this book can be an effective means to fuel important discussions by those who lead churches , including board members, professional lay staff, and clergy. Read in isolation, Incorporation may offer discouragement without solutions.
So What?
Churches have problems. Big churches are flawed. Small churches are far from perfect. Size, denominational affiliation, nor pastoral tenure are categories that suggest greater or lesser health for a congregation. All communities of faith are works in progress.
- At this stage in the life of your local congregation, how would you characterize the overall health of your community of faith?
- Have you ever experienced a minister who behaved in ways that were not consistent with her or his calling? If so, how did this impact your own journey of faith?
Will Willimon. Incorporation (Cascade Books, 2012). ISBN: 9781621894667.