By Bill Wilson I overheard a conversation on a plane recently that re-taught me an important truth about congregational ministry. It was on a Monday morning at the end of a flight out of Atlanta to another city. Regular travelers…
Building a high trust leadership culture
By Bill Wilson Some of the very best days I have known in ministry have revolved around high-functioning staff friendships and relationships. Seeing plans come together, an organization take off, or a worship experience exceed expectations is meaningful beyond words….
The rearview mirror
By Bill Wilson These were hard conversations. This minister had been dismissed from his church many months ago, but the wounds had refused to heal. Hurtful things were said, friendships were broken, trust was betrayed and he walked away wounded…
The fire below
By Bill Wilson As I met with a congregation’s leadership team in preparation for making a presentation to their congregation about the state of the church in American culture in the 21st century, I mentioned that a primary issue we…
Conflict as blessing
By Bill Wilson Ask any minister, “What is the worst part of your job?” and nearly all will tell you, “Conflict!” Ask any congregation member what they like least about their church experience, and most will answer the same. Conflict…
Why your minister should be like your physical therapist
By Bill Wilson My experience with a physical therapist was fairly routine. I went in with a painful or injured body part (once a knee, once my back), and the PT helped me restore motion, function and strength to my…
The gardener, the garden and plants
By Bill Wilson This is the third of a series of three attempts to flesh out a parallel between gardening and congregational life. Gardens, plants, horticulture and growth processes are a steady theme in Scripture. Repeatedly, Jesus taught and told…
Churches and gardeners
By Bill Wilson Most of our nation has endured an extremely harsh winter. As a result, this spring has been met with a sigh of relief and a sense of welcome that seems stronger than in some years. Facebook is…
Gardening: A metaphor for churches
By Bill Wilson In recent years, I’ve been giving a good deal of thought to metaphors that communicate clearly what a healthy church or minister is like. There are many of them, but the one that I keep returning to…