A bishop in the United Methodist Church, the Rev. Dr. 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.