• ordained Minister of Word and Sacrament, Honorably Retired, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). experienced pastor, presbytery executive, college chaplain, interim ministry specialist, pastoral coach, and church consultant.
• "solution-focused" rather than "problem-oriented."
• a gifted preacher, teacher and facilitator of seminars, workshops, and retreats.
• passionately committed to his own personal and spiritual growth as well as to those whom he serves.

Areas of expertise:

• Coaching clergy for personal and professional growth who
  • are in their first call
  • are highly stressed and facing potential burnout
  • are in a highly conflicted setting
  • wish to assess their present and future ministry
• Coaching church officers in clarity of role as spiritual leaders.
• Coaching church and governing body staffs to build positive work relationships.
• Consulting with churches and governing bodies in transition.
• Consulting with churches and governing bodies experiencing high level conflict.
• Facilitating a study process of discernment designed to help churches and governing bodies to hear what God is calling them to be and to do as a unique part of the body of Christ.
• Providing resources to congregations considering renewal, revitalization, or transformation.
• Leading Lay Renewal Retreats, inclusive of preaching and teaching.
• Leading seminars and workshops on
  • Appreciative Inquiry
  • Communication skills
  • Conflict Management
  • Congregational Grief
  • Developing a Caring Congregation
  • Developing a Purposeful Life
  • Developing Staff Collegiality
  • Developing Positive Relationships
  • Officer development
  • Spiritual Formation
  • Six Spiritual traditions
  • Spiritual Renewal
  • Strategic Planning
  • Team Based Ministry
  • Transformational Ministry
  • Transitional Ministry for Clergy
  • Wholistic Stewardship (time, talent, financial, environmental)

Some random comments about John's ministry:

"We were terribly divided. A large faction was trying to move us out of the denomination. John helped us develop a process that enabled us to make decisions based on reason instead of emotion. We did not leave the denomination, and those who chose to leave our church were able to do so with dignity." (Member, Thyatira Presbyterian Church, Salisbury, NC)

"The mission study design that John introduced to us helped us immeasurably during a time of transition and uncertainty." (Member, First Presbyterian Church, Charlottesville, VA)

"John is an articulate spiritual leader-teacher-colleague who integrates wisely transformational perspective & practice. His ministry of consulting is that of paraclete: coming alongside of to encourage, edify, & empower." (Dr. Stuart Wilson, Colleague and author)

"John was an indispensable asset to our planning process. His experience and expert guidance kept us on task as we developed a new Vision and Mission direction for our church". (George Trunk, Mission Study Team Chairman, Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church, Rock Hill, SC)

"John is a creative and intentional leader who challenges and supports congregations to ground their vision and mission in God's call and not in church politics." (Rev. Ann Cherry, Colleague)

"As our consultant, Dr. Wilkerson guided us in identifying critical points of a mission study, directed us to reference material and assisted us in interpreting data. His expertise in mission studies enabled us to develop a meaningful mission study for our church." (Bill Loe, Mission Study Team Chairman, Fountain Inn Presbyterian Church, Fountain Inn, SC)

"John's sense of calm and gentle approach was just what our church needed during a very stressful time." (Member, St. Giles Presbyterian Church, Greenville, SC)

"If it weren't for John's wise counsel, I probably would have opted out of the ministry." (Colleague)

"All members of our Mission Study Team agree that the mission study (facilitated by John) was a wonderful and fulfilling experience, not only for ourselves but for our church. We presented it to the congregation, and it was well received." (Margaret Desio, Co-Chair, Mission Study Team, First Presbyterian Church, Monroe, NC)

"John, you have been such a support to me, as friend, colleague, and coach. I have been helped to do my job as interim pastor by your generosity with your time and in sharing materials you have developed (the visioning process/ mission study) and, most recently, I've been greatly encouraged by your belief in using the support of our faith tradition to strengthen and encourage the session (and congregation), while not trying to do for them what they need to do for themselves. You have helped me when faltering to believe in and use what I do best. . . John, you have been so available and responsive and willing to listen." (Elaine Rhodes, Colleague)

For further information on John's educational and professional background, see resume.

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