Author

Lillian Daniel

Senior minister, First Congregational Church, Dubuque, Iowa

The Rev. Lillian Daniel is the senior minister of First Congregational Church in Dubuque, Iowa. Before that, she served as senior minister of the First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn, Ill., in suburban Chicago. Her latest book is "Tired of Apologizing for a Church I Don't Belong To: Spirituality Without Stereotypes, Religion Without Ranting." She also is the author of “Tell It Like It Is: Reclaiming the Practice of Testimony,” and chapters in “Anxious about Empire” and “From Nomads to Pilgrims: Stories from Practicing Congregations.” A frequent contributor to Christian Century, Daniel has also written for publications including Books and Culture, Leadership, The Journal for Preachers and The Biblical Preaching Journal. She has taught preaching at Yale Divinity School and Chicago Theological Seminary.

Busy, busy, busy

The story of Mary Magdalene at the tomb illustrates the importance of taking the time to live as we say we want to live, Lillian Daniel says in an Easter sermon.

Money off the shelf

Early in her ministry, Lillian Daniel finds that she has intense anger about money, but no place, in her vocational life, to express it. She writes about her experience in the book, “This Odd and Wondrous Calling: The Public and Private Lives of Two Ministers.”

Tim Soerens

Applications now open for Reflective Leadership Grants

“This was a game-changer for us. The chance to climb up from the ‘dance floor’ of our everyday activity and discern a clarified organization future from the ‘balcony’ was the gift we needed even more than we understood at the time.

If possible, please pursue this extraordinary opportunity.”

— Tim Soerens, Parish Collective

Christian leaders from a variety of roles are welcome to apply. The grants provide “balcony time” to reflect on accomplishments, broaden perspectives and discern next steps. The application deadline is May 2, 2025.

Learn more