Bill Wilson: A Calling Is Answered
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| Berkshire Visitor's Bureau President and CEO William R. Wilson Jr. [submitted photo] |
Announcement came yesterday that Wilson, 57, will retire as president and CEO of the Berkshires Visitors Bureau after 23 years at its helm. Wilson will retire in June but has agreed to remain available to the organization on a per diem basis through November, he said during a late afternoon interview.
A Calling, Not A Job
He will become a full-time pastor at the Stamford Community Church. Wilson has served the Vermont-based community church in a part-time capacity since 1988.
"It's been a wonderful career," Wilson said of his work at the bureau.
The interview found its' direction when Wilson was asked if being a pastor was a calling.
"I think that's a good place to start," he said. "I do believe that ministry is a calling and not a job."
Wilson plans to become much more involved with the church community on a personal level. His plans to expand the ministry will touch many facets of parishioner lives.
A Proactive Ministry
"I want to do a lot more proactive visiting with the people of the congregation," he said. "Most of the visitation I do right now is reactive, during a time of crisis. I'd like to be able to visit with the people of the church - and those who've expressed an interest but just haven't made it to church yet - in a way other than at a time of crisis."
Another focus will be on teaching. Wilson currently offers Bible study classes on Wednesday evenings and he would like to increase the study opportunities, he said. Already he delivers two Sunday services, one at 8:30 a.m. and a second at 10 a.m..
If the church did not hold two services, "we wouldn't fit everyone in," he said.
He would like to delve into some specialized teaching areas as well, including the Biblical principals of marriage and other counseling focused on a Bibilical foundation, he said.
"The big thing is that I am going to try and expand the ministry through technology," he said, and expressed a desire to use community television programming and audio and video venues to raise awareness.
"I want to increase the impact of the ministry."
"Now Is The Time"
His initial timeline put full-time ministering off until 2009, but the bureau is now in very good shape and he isn't getting any younger, he noted with a chuckle.
"Between the two, the bureau and the church, I haven't taken much time off in 19 years," he said. "I want to have some time to spend with my family, my grandchildren. I'm 57, I think I should be resting at least some of the time."
"The bureau is in really good condition, and the church is flourishing now," he said. "Now is the time."
Wilson met with bureau staff members in person to share his decision.
Tears And Twinges
"There were a lot of tears and that made me feel good because it isn't always that way when a boss leaves," he said.
Giving up the post, the people, and the work isn't without its' pangs and twinges, he said.
"It's so hard to leave when you are on the cusp of so many things."
But that cusp is the very reason he feels his departure will not cause detriment to the entity, he said.
"We've launched a new Berkshires.org, we've gotten the new logo, we have our new campaign," he said. "I know that there's no one going to be left holding the bag."
A search committee will be actively seeking his replacement, Wilson said, and he put his support behind Ray Smith, whom Wilson hired and has mentored.
"He's going to toss his hat into the ring," Wilson said. "That's by no means a shoo-in, I know there will be due diligence and I know the search will be at least a regional search."
Governors And A President
State legislators of the Berkshire delegation have contacted him to wish him well and express regret at his bureau departure, Wilson said. He recalled his meetings and interactions with five elected state governors and one acting governor.
He characterized his relationships with former Gov. Michael Dukakis, William Weld, and A. Paul Cellucci as "great."
"Mitt Romney wasn't as accessible as I was used to, but Deval Patrick is much more accessible," Wilson said.
He also enjoyed a positive relationship with acting Gov. Jane Swift, he said.
Wilson met former U.S. President William J. Clinton during Clinton's time in office.
"Frankly, I'm not much of a Bill Clinton fan, but it is always a thrill to meet the President," he said.
Integrity And A Walk With The Lord
But of all Wilson's relationships, his connection to the Lord has shaped and affected all that he's done and will do, he said.
"Both the bureau and the church have benefited because of my walk with the Lord," he said. "Because of my walk with the Lord, I am the same person at both jobs. I do not live two separate lives. The Bible says that whatever you do to do as though unto the Lord, and whatever I do, I try to do it with integrity."
