By Bill Wilson Polarities are ongoing, chronic issues that are unavoidable and unsolvable. They are the hardest issues we face. Attempting to address them with traditional problem-solving skills only makes things worse. There is a significant advantage for those leaders,…
The conflict pandemic
By Bill Wilson Whenever I address a group about the work our organization does, I mention that one of our frequent calls is to help a congregation, staff, judicatory or organization manage conflict. Our conflict intervention calls are on the…
Holding your staff accountable
By Bill Wilson At the Center for Congregational Health, we find that many times staff members operate in a congregational world devoid of healthy accountability. Without a thoughtful, rational system in place, evaluation and accountability disintegrate into personal opinion and…
Things worth fighting for
By Bill Wilson As part of our work with congregations which are engaging in the process of imagining their future, the Center for Congregational Health invites them to first look back and connect with their past. An effective tool for…
Things worth fighting for
By Bill Wilson As part of our work with congregations which are engaging in the process of imagining their future, the Center for Congregational Health invites them to first look back and connect with their past. An effective tool for…
When the cavalry doesn’t come
By Bill Wilson A seasoned minister was addressing a group of young clergy and talking about some of the lessons learned on the job — the kind you can’t learn in graduate school or from a book. These are the…
The outward-oriented church
By Bill Wilson Tom Ehrich, one of my favorite thinkers about church in the 21st century, recently told me he is down to one pivotal question for the congregations he works with: “Is your primary orientation inward or outward?” He…
Why pastor searches go awry
By Bill Wilson A recent column about some of the positive experiences of clergy who have recently moved motivated some responses around the theme of “things that have not gone well.” Here are some common ethical issues search committees must…
Why pastor searches go awry
By Bill Wilson A recent column about some of the positive experiences of clergy who have recently moved motivated some responses around the theme of “things that have not gone well.” Here are some common ethical issues search committees must…