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HomeAcademicsCollege of Theology and Christian MinistryBelmont University Announces New Partnership with Center for Healthy Churches

Belmont University Announces New Partnership with Center for Healthy Churches

Belmont University and the Center for Healthy Churches (CHC)—an organization devoted to improving the spiritual, emotional and organizational health of churches and ministers—(CHC)announced today a new partnership that includes the relocation of CHC’s national office to Belmont’s campus in Nashville, Tennessee.

CHC currently works nationwide through a network of representatives to provide seasoned and thoughtful leadership to churches and faith communities from many traditions. Twenty-four individuals work with CHC as congregational and clergy coaches and consultants. Their work across denominations seeks to cultivate healthy processes allowing ministers and congregations to clarify vision, manage transitions and transform conflict.

“I cannot think of a better national partner for our efforts to cultivate healthy clergy and churches than Belmont,” said Bill Wilson, Jr., the director of CHC. “Belmont’s facilities and connections are remarkable. They have a heart for the church in its many manifestations, and they genuinely value congregations and clergy and the vital role they play in America. Their faculty, staff and students provide a unique opportunity for us to integrate academic and research methodology into our work.”

Through Belmont’s Moench Center for Church Leadership, the H. Franklin Paschall Chair of Biblical Studies and Preaching and the Center for Executive Education, Belmont is an emerging leader in providing relevant leadership education and training for a wide array of venues. This new partnership with CHC will create opportunities to enlarge and expand work with congregations and clergy across the nation.

“Our agreement with the Center for Healthy Churches helps extend our focus on developing young leaders and equipping and strengthening churches. It means more opportunities to serve the local church,” said Darrell Gwaltney, dean of Belmont’s College of Theology and Christian Ministry.

In 2014, CHC emerged from the Pastoral Care Division at Wake Forest Baptist Hospital in Winston Salem, North Carolina. During its inaugural year, it grew rapidly to work with nearly 50 congregational clients in 16 states from eight denominational traditions.

Wilson—a native of Brentwood, Tennessee and former Belmont student—is the founding director of CHC. He previously was president of the Center for Congregational Health at Wake Forest Hospital and is a 33-year veteran of pastoral ministry. A popular speaker and writer, he brings to his role as the leader of the Center a deep passion for the local church, as well as an abiding commitment to the health and success of both clergy and congregations.

Mike Glenn, senior pastor of Brentwood Baptist Church, said, “I’m very excited to welcome Bill Wilson to the Belmont community. He’s long been recognized as a thought leader for transitional churches, and his involvement with Belmont will only strengthen the local church’s ability to respond to post-modern challenges.”

The agreement is expected to result in national training and educational events being held in conjunction with CHC on Belmont’s campus as well as continued growth in the clients the organization serves regionally.

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