By Will Willimon
Pastors and leaders long to speak an effective biblical word into the contemporary social crisis of racial violence and black pain. They need a no-nonsense strategy rooted in actual ecclesial life, illuminated in this fine book by a trustworthy guide, Will Willimon, who uses the true story of pastor Hawley Lynn’s March of 1947 sermon, “Who Lynched Willie Earle?” as an opportunity to respond to the last lynching in Greenville, South Carolina and its implications for a more faithful proclamation of the Gospel today.
By hearing black pain, naming white complicity, critiquing American exceptionalism/civil religion, inviting/challenging the church to respond, and attending to the voices of African American pastors and leaders, this book helps pastors of white, mainline Protestant churches preach effectively in situations of racial violence and dis-ease.
Who Lynched Willie Earle? is the winner of the ECPA 2018 Christian Best Awards in Ministry Resources. "I’ve been working on this book for fifty years, ministering to 'America’s Original Sin' (Jim Wallis) of racism and enjoying the task of speaking up and speaking out in the pulpit," says Will Willimon. "My purpose was to equip and to encourage fellow preachers."
Praise for Who Lynched Willie Earle?
“Who Lynched Willie Earl? is a must-read for preachers of every context. Willimon bridges generations while challenging conventional practices of preachers who exercise the unsanctioned privilege ‘to remain silent.’ He creatively weaves biography and biblical imperative and calls us to employ our prophetic license in light of an inhumane then and now.”
—F. Willis Johnson, Senior Minister, Wellspring Church UMC, Ferguson, MO; Vosburgh Visiting Professor of Ministry and Social Engagement, Drew University, Madison, NJ
“Will Willimon makes another great start at helping America be honest about race, especially those of us who deem ourselves followers of Christ. White privilege and Christianity do not mix. A must-read for Christians and all people of goodwill.”
—Frank A. Thomas, Nettie Sweeney and Hugh Th. Miller Professor of Homiletics and Director of the Academy of Preaching and Celebration, Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis, IN
“From an esteemed professor and pulpiteer of the church comes a timely topic that has troubled the waters of the United States for a mighty long time: racism. At this point in American history, we need this book more than ever to discern what it means to be a faithful Christian in our day. Thank you, Bishop Willimon!”
—Luke A. Powery, Dean of Duke University Chapel and Associate Professor of Homiletics, Duke Divinity School, Duke University, Durham, NC
In this no non-sense book, reliable spiritual guide, Will Willimon, invites readers to consider the gospel command to love (and not merely tolerate) those considered to be “Other” or outside mainstream Christian culture. Rooted in the faith of Israel and the Christian story and vision, Willimon brings a Wesleyan...
Holding Up Your Corner: Talking About Race in Your Community, equips pastors to respond with confidence when crises occur, lower their own inhibitions about addressing this topic, and reclaim their authority as prophetic witnesses and leaders in order to transform their communities. Pastors and other church leaders...
