A recent column on the surge of churches calling pastors in their fifth decade evoked a wide range of responses. Many came from mid-career clergy who … [Read more...] about New Clergy Deserve a Chance
About Bill Wilson*
Dr. William “Bill” Wilson founded The Center for Healthy Churches in January of 2014. This followed his service as President of the Center for Congregational Health at Wake Forest Baptist Health since 2009. Previously he was Pastor of First Baptist Church of Dalton, Georgia, where he served since 2003. He brings over 33 years of local church ministry experience to the Center, having served as pastor in two churches in Virginia (Farmville BC and FBC Waynesboro) and on a church staff in South Carolina. Bill has led each of the churches he has served into a time of significant growth and expansion of ministry. He is a certified coach and facilitator and has experience as a consultant in numerous settings and with a wide range of organizations, faith communities, and churches.
Dr. Wilson grew up in Greensboro NC and Brentwood TN, where his father pastored local congregations. He graduated from Murray State University, and went on to receive his Master of Divinity at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and his Doctor of Ministry at the Graduate Theological Foundation in South Bend, Indiana.
Bill is a popular speaker and writer, and he brings to his role as the leader of the work of the Center a deep passion for the local church, as well as a commitment to the health and success of both clergy and congregations. He and Dr. Bob Dale have written a book together: Weaving Strong Leaders: How Leaders Grow Down, Grow Up and Grow Together. (2016)
He is married to Kathy and they have three children and ten grandchildren.
The Center for Healthy Churches is a nationwide network of 27 consultants and leaders who value and believe in the local church and are committed to it’s future. Deliberately trans-denominational, team members come from a wide range of denominational, geographic, theological and vocational backgrounds. The Center has worked with churches from approximately twenty different denominational groups that span the geographic and theological spectrum.
Endorsements:
“The help that Bill Wilson and his team have given here at First Baptist Church of Decatur (GA) in our recent, challenging season of transition has been an absolute game-changer. The new Center for Healthy Churches is a fresh expression of a proven approach to congregational wellness. This is great news for churches of all kinds, and for the kingdom of God.”
Dr. Julie Pennington-Russell
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Decatur GA
“I have known Bill Wilson as a confidant, encourager, and consultant. Most recently I have seen the results of his work at First Baptist Greensboro, where he and his team served as primary consultants through the church’s 19-month Transition and Pastor Search. Bill provided outstanding consultation that prepared both congregation and pastor for what has been a magnificent start. If my church or I were seeking consultation, facing challenges, or planning for the future, Bill Wilson would be my first phone call.”
Rev. Alan Sherouse
Pastor, First Baptist Church Greensboro NC
“In 2011, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the second largest church in the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina, embarked on a long-range visioning process to help chart St. Paul’s future. After conducting a thorough request for proposal process for assistance from a consulting firm to help guide St. Paul’s’ process, St. Paul’s selected Bill Wilson and his team at the Center for Congregational Health. Bill and his team did an outstanding job throughout our engagement, which lasted about a year. They provided critical information about the various global dynamics and changes affecting churches, they appropriately guided us in our process without taking it over, and they were masterful in allowing us as a congregation to develop our own thoughts and ideas while effectively challenging us to consider newer, different and bigger, “provocative proposals”. Bill Wilson and his team were available, present, responsive, insightful and a pleasure to work with. I am certain that St. Paul’s Long Range Vision process and outcome would not have been as successful as it was were it not for Bill Wilson and his team. I look forward to an opportunity to work with him again in the future.”
David P. Broughton
Chair, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Long Range Vision Committee
Articles by Bill Wilson*
Prime Time
One thing that is predictable about pastor search committees is that they all want something similar: a great preacher, an amazing administrator who … [Read more...] about Prime Time
Worship at Gate A3
Every congregation needs to be engaged in a healthy conversation about worship. Hopefully, it is at the heart of your identity, calendar and … [Read more...] about Worship at Gate A3
Which parking spot for you?
Among the critical questions every minister and staff needs to ask as we begin a new year is this one: Which parking spot will you choose? Clearly, … [Read more...] about Which parking spot for you?
The Unbalanced Church
When a congregation wants to get, stay or remain healthy, one of the key questions it asks has to do with the balance between its internal and an … [Read more...] about The Unbalanced Church
Critical Questions for 2012
If there is one recurring theme to the conversations I have regularly with clergy, lay leaders and denominational employees, it is viability. In a … [Read more...] about Critical Questions for 2012
Can we have a healthier pastor search process?
An increasing part of my life is spent advising and coaching Pastor Search Committees. A healthy search process requires great patience, spiritual … [Read more...] about Can we have a healthier pastor search process?
Confession from a Consultant
Time for a confession. Let me tell you a consultant’s dirty little secret: congregational strategic planning is frequently a waste of time and can be … [Read more...] about Confession from a Consultant
The tired arms of ministers
A friend recently shared with me a daily devotion that pointed out the story in Exodus 17 regarding Moses’ arms. Remember? As long as Moses held his … [Read more...] about The tired arms of ministers
