Posted by Mary Wimberley on 2008-02-05

Theologian, writer and preacher William H. Willimon will present the William E. Conger, Jr., Lectures on Biblical Preaching at Samford University Feb. 19-21.

The annual series is presented by Samford's Beeson Divinity School.

Willimon, bishop of the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church, will preach on Feb. 19 and lecture on Feb. 20 and 21 at 11 a.m. each day in A. Gerow Hodges Chapel.

His theme will be "Preaching Salvation: Proclaiming Jesus Saves."

Considered one of America's best-known preachers, Willimon was named to his present post in 2004. For 20 years, he was Dean of the Chapel and professor of Christian Ministry at Duke University, Durham, N.C.

Willimon is the author of almost 60 books, including the popular Worship as Pastoral Care. A 2005 study by the Pulpit and Pew Research Center found that Bishop Willimon is the second most widely read author by mainline Protestant pastors.

The worship service and lectures are free and open to the public. A by-reservation discussion luncheon will follow the Wednesday lecture. Luncheon tickets are $7.50. For reservations, call (205) 726-2731.

 
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 6,101 students from 45 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks 6th nationally for its Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.