By Bill Wilson The book of James closes with a most interesting assertion: “My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and is brought back by another, you should know that whoever brings back a sinner…
VITAL SIGNS: Disagreeing agreeably
After one particularly frustrating performance by his Green Bay Packers, legendary Coach Vince Lombardi called his team together. He was determined to get them refocused on the things that made for winning. As they knelt before the coach, he held…
Life by the clock or life by the compass?
By Bill Wilson Which do you live by: Clock or compass? If the clock dictates, your life is consumed with the immediate and pressing issues of the moment. Clock-life is focused on short-term results. If the clock rules, you find…
Staffing for survival
By Bill Wilson What is the most important staff position at your church? Of course, as a former pastor, I must declare that we cannot function without a pastor. What would we do without a music/worship leader? We cannot live…
A year of ‘gracious uncertainty’
By Bill Wilson On the threshold of a new decade in our new millennium, there is a pervasive mood among God’s people: uncertainty. We hear it weekly from clergy and laity alike, usually around a specific concern regarding employment or…
Giving thanks
By Bill Wilson Healthy Christians are people of gratitude and generosity. That is a clear biblical truth that has been lived out across the years in church history. If the gospel has not penetrated a person’s heart to the point…
No winners
By Bill Wilson One of the most painful parts of our political process is the heated rhetoric of the campaign season. Most of us are so disgusted by the vitriol of political ads that, by election day, we are willing…
Things Jesus never said
By Bill Wilson There are some things you will just never hear. Ever seen those lists? “Next on ‘Jerry Springer’: Two happily married couples with their normal children.” Sorry, that’s just not going to happen. Or maybe you’ve seen the…
The 20-year test
(Editor’s note: Although Bill Wilson’s commentary pieces — written as a column for the Virginia Baptist Religious Herald — have appeared frequently on Associated Baptist Press over the last year, with this edition ABP will begin the regular biweekly publication of his…