The Willson Lectures are designed to contribute to the spiritual and intellectual enrichment of persons associated with the boards and agencies of The United Methodist Church, especially the General Board of Discipleship and the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, and to present to them, and the Nashville community, the scholarly contributions of distinguished leaders in higher education and educational philanthropy.

The lectures were established in 1955 by Mr. and Mrs. James M. Willson, Sr., of Floydada, Texas. Mr. Willson, who was long prominent in the affairs of his church, as well as educational philanthropy, died in 1972. In the course of his long life of service to his local church and annual conference, Mr. Willson established Willson Lectureships at more than twenty institutions, nearly all related to The United Methodist Church.