Lillian Daniel
Lillian Daniel is a preacher, teacher and writer in Iowa. Her new book, Tired of Apologizing for a Church I Don't Belong To is generating international conversation about the changing religious landscape. It continues the theme of her 2013 book When ‘Spiritual But Not Religious’ Is Not Enough about the growing number of people who claim "none" as their religious preference.
While she has taught preaching at a number of schools, including Chicago Theological Seminary, University of Chicago, University of Dubuque Theological Seminary and Yale Divinity School, she can’t be held responsible for everyone who falls asleep in church.
Lillian Daniel has spoken at the National Cathedral, Duke Chapel, Kings College, London and Queen’s College, Ontario, but on Sundays you can find her preaching at First Congregational Church in Dubuque, Iowa or making her latest Coronavirus Church Tour video.
Lillian Daniel has spoken at the National Cathedral, Duke Chapel, Kings College, London and Queen’s College, Ontario, but on Sundays you can find her preaching at First Congregational Church in Dubuque, Iowa or making her latest Coronavirus Church Tour video.
Featured in the New York Times and on PBS, Lillian Daniel’s writing is described as
“biting, hilarious, pitch perfect, tender, and often stunningly beautiful.”

“The book is kind of for the person who in some ways is half in and half out of religion,” Ms. Daniel said in a recent interview. 'They know it might be meaningful, but they don’t know how to make a case for it, or tell a story about the religious life that does not sound obnoxious or judgmental.'
Ms. Daniel, by contrast, makes the case forcefully, seemingly unworried about those she might offend."
Mark Oppenheimer, The New York Times
When "Spiritual But Not Religious" Is Not Enough is a feast of words — funny, ribald, tiptoeing to the edge of sarcasm, yet full of love and unflinching hope."
G. Jeffrey MacDonald, Christian Science Monitor
Ms. Daniel, by contrast, makes the case forcefully, seemingly unworried about those she might offend."
Mark Oppenheimer, The New York Times
When "Spiritual But Not Religious" Is Not Enough is a feast of words — funny, ribald, tiptoeing to the edge of sarcasm, yet full of love and unflinching hope."
G. Jeffrey MacDonald, Christian Science Monitor
Speaking Requests
Come on SundayLillian Daniel's schedule
and personality prevent her from accepting many speaking requests, so the best place to hear her is at church on Sunday. |
Just Read the BooksIf you would like to invite
Lillian Daniel to speak, please consider just reading the books instead. All the best stuff is in there. |
Don't Even AskLong spiritual retreats, after dinner lectures sharing for no good reason, and any event that involves sleeping in a tent,
bunk bed, cabin, church camp or cave. |
All speaking requests are handled by Chaffee Management