Rev. Dr. Paul W. Chilcote

Sunday, October 20, 2024

Now in retirement, United Methodist minister Dr. Paul W. Chilcote served most recently as Director of the Centre for Global Wesleyan Theology at Wesley House, Cambridge, England. An award-winning author, Methodist historian and theologian, he has been involved in theological education on three continents, having taught at Wesley College (England), St. Paul’s United Theological College (Kenya), the Methodist Theological School (Ohio), Duke Divinity School (North Carolina), Ashland Theological Seminary (Ohio), and having helped launch two new institutions – Africa University (Zimbabwe) and Asbury Theological Seminary (Florida).

He has authored or edited thirty-five books, including Praying in the Wesleyan Spirit, Recapturing the Wesleys’ Vision, The Methodist Defense of Women in Ministry, Making Disciples in a World Parish, Early Methodist Spirituality, Active Faith, Living Hope, and The Quest for Love Divine. Two of his books, both related to lyrical theology, A Faith That Singsand Singing the Faith, won the coveted Saddlebag Award in 2016 and 2021 respectively. His most recent books, Multiplying Love, Cultivating Christlikeness, and The Fullest Possible Love provide a vision for life in Christ at “a time such as this.” He has also published a number of devotional works and has helped rediscover the legacy of many women in Christian history, particularly Methodists. He is a frequent speaker and workshop leader in applied Wesleyan studies, particularly in the areas of theology, spirituality, and Christian discipleship.  He served as President of the Academy for Evangelism in Theological Education and President of The Charles Wesley Society. Further, he has enjoyed a special relationship with Mt. Angel Abbey in Oregon as a Benedictine Oblate for twenty-five years.

Dr. Chilcote received his undergraduate degree in Theological Studies and History from Valparaiso University in Indiana and then his Master of Divinity and his Ph.D. at Duke University Divinity School.

He and his wife, Janet, a retired United Methodist pastor, have five daughters, Sandy, Rebekah, Anna, Mary, and Ruth, and seven grandchildren: Alyssa, Levi, and Theo Brooks; Collin, Oliver, and Elsie Glass; and Isabella Gitonga.  They make their home in Oviedo, Florida, which is near Orlando.

The Dill Lecture Series was established in 2013 by Dauphin Way United Methodist Church Foundation to honor Dr. Stephen Dill and his wife Ruth for their 40 years of service to the church and to the community. The Dill Lecture Committee mourns the loss of Dr. Stephen Dill in January 2022 and is grateful for his legacy.

The Lecture Series brings to Mobile esteemed speakers to offer their insights and inspiration to the Dauphin Way congregation and to the community at large.

Steve & Ruth Dill

Dill Lecture speakers have included:

2014 Thomas Cahill—American scholar and writer who is best known for his acclaimed Hinges of History series

2015 Dr. Walter Brueggemann—the preeminent contemporary scholar of the Old Testament

2016 Rachel Held Evans—best-selling author and nationally popular blogger

2017 Dr. Wayne Flynt—Auburn University professor emeritus and distinguished scholar of Southern history, politics, religion, and culture

2018 Jim Wallis—founder and editor-in-chief of Sojourners and renowned preacher and theologian

2019 Krista Tippett—creator and host of NPR programs Speaking of Faith and On Being

2021 Rev. Adam Hamilton—founder and senior pastor of the 25,000-member United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas

2021 Rev. Dr. Thomas G. Long—Bandy Professor of Preaching Emeritus at Candler School of Theology at Emory University

2022 Rev. Dr. Barbara Brown Taylor—Episcopal priest, teacher, speaker, theologian, and best-selling author

2022 Philip Yancey—best-selling contemporary Christian author

2023 Dr. Amy-Jill Levine—internationally renowned scholar, teacher, and author