William
H. "Bill" McDonald
World
Convention Names William McDonald Interim Executive
Director
President
B.J. Mpofu has announced the appointment of William H.
"Bill" McDonald of Lexington, Kentucky, as Interim
Executive Director of the World Convention of Churches of
Christ, a global ministry serving Christian - Churches of
Christ - Disciples of Christ everywhere, every day. Bill
has long been a supporter of the World Convention having
attended the global gatherings in Mexico City, Honolulu,
Brighton and Nashville. For the 2008 Convention in
Nashville he coordinated the efforts that brought a popular
youth choir to the US from France. Julie McDonald, Bill's
wife, a French teacher also played a decisive role in that
effort.
Bill McDonald
retired in November 2008 after 42 years in ministry with
the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Born in
Mississippi, he was raised in Memphis, Tennessee. He
has ministered to congregations in Kentucky, Texas and
Louisiana. His most recent ministry was with
the Crestwood Christian Church in Lexington, Kentucky, from
1995 to 2008. It was here that he helped build a
relationship between the Crestwood Church (DOC), Tates Creek
Christian Church (Christian Churches/Churches of Christ) and
Southside Church of Christ (a cappella) that has
developed into a continuing partnership of cooperative
worship, mission and youth events.
Having completed his
Bachelor of Arts degree at Transylvania College, he then
prepared for ministry by doing the Master of Divinity degree
at Lexington Theological Seminary where he now serves on the
Board of Trustees and is also an adjunct member of the
faculty. His first ministry was with the Midway
(Kentucky) Christian Church where his M.Div. thesis on the
church's history was published, including a segment on the
life of the famed 19th century preacher, L.L.
Pinkerton. He also taught courses in philosophy,
religion, and psychology for Midway College.
McDonald
is currently a Disciples of Christ representative to the
Stone-Campbell Dialogue, a forum that draws from all three
streams of the Stone-Campbell Movement in an effort to
encourage communication and cooperation among these three
groups who share a common heritage. His writings have
appeared in publications representing all three streams.
A man of generous spirit and goodwill, Bill is deeply
committed to Christ and His Church. President Mpofu, in
making the announcement, said, "We are grateful that Bill
McDonald has been willing to take on this service to the wider
church through the World Convention as the search is
begun for a permanent Executive Director." The Interim
appointment will extend from August 2009 through May 2010, at
which time a permanent director will be in place to lead the
ministry into the future, including planning for the
18th Global Gathering slated for Goiania, Brazil
for the summer of 2012. A U.S. Search Committee has been
formed and the Job Description will shortly be made available
to interested applicants.
Bill
will be based in Lexington, Kentucky but will represent World
Convention at various national and international gatherings
where he will share World Convention's vital
ministry of building fellowship, understanding and common
purpose in the global Stone-Campbell family. In addition,
he will spend several days each month in the Nashville
office teaming up with the staff at World Convention House,
building support and coordinating efforts at bridging the gaps
in our worldwide fellowship. "Although working only part time,
his love and enthusiasm for World Convention will bring
immense benefit to our global Movement," says President
Mpofu. "May I
also take this opportunity to once again appeal to you our
valued friends to share in our excitement over this
announcement and welcome Bill McDonald to the post
by remembering World Convention in your prayers and
financial support by giving to this vital
ministry."
What
some of the Past Presidents have said in response to President
Mpofu's announcement:
It
was an occasion of thanksgiving when Bill McDonald consented
to serve as Interim Executive Director. His commitment to
Christ and the church as well as his generous spirit will
serve the purposes of the World Convention well.
C. Robert Wetzel,
President 2004-2008
I
am thrilled to hear that Bill will serve World Convention as
Interim Executive Director. He has shown a very
inclusive interest in all streams of our movement, and with
our great office team, will ensure World Convention continues
to provide vital global leadership for our church
family.
Lyndsay
Jacobs, President
1984-1988, General Secretary 1993-2004
Bill
McDonald's contribution to positive
relationships among the three streams of the Stone
Campbell family bodes us well during this interim period
between Executive Directors. How very fortunate we all are
that his parish retirement coincides with our current need for
leadership at WCCC. Hal
Watkins, President, 1988-1992
#
For
further information about the worldwide ministry of World Convention go
to www.worldconvention.org. Inquiries
may be addressed to: World Convention, 1279 Brentwood
Highlands Drive, Nashville, TN 37211 (615) 331-1824, worldconv@aol.com
Connecting
everywhere, every
day.
