Meet Bill McConnell
Bill McConnell was the pastor of a church in Harrison, Ohio, beginning December of 1991, and was the Lead Minister of Legacy Christian Church beginning January 2008, when the First Christian Church and Harrison Christian Center merged. Bill retired from the church April 17, 2011. During his tenure the church’s membership tripled and worship attendance grew by over 400%. Over 80% of the church’s active members was involved in small groups and ministry.
Bill McConnell is a native of Louisville, Kentucky. Bill grew up in Beargrass Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). In high school Bill was involved in sports where he lettered in football, baseball and cross-country. In college he was involved in student politics and served as the President of the Student Body at Eastern Kentucky University.
He earned a bachelor degree in Political Science and Psychology from Eastern Kentucky University, his M.Div. from Asbury Theological Seminary and holds a Doctor of Ministry degree in pastoral counseling from Kingsway Theological Seminary. Dr. McConnell has been serving in the ministry since 1970 and was ordained in his home church in 1972. Bill’s experiences include serving churches of varying sizes in urban, rural and small town settings in Kentucky, Iowa, Illinois and Ohio. He has also worked as a pastoral counselor in both adult and juvenile correctional facilities. He is now working full time in church transformation and is available for interim ministry.
Bill and his wife Nancy have seven adult children and 13 grandchildren. Bill is a certified Fire Fighter and Emergency Medical Tech and worked in departments in several states. He has also served as a Fire and Police Chaplain in three states.
Bill is recognized as an authority on the practical aspects of church transformation. He has served on the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) National Transformation Team and presently serves on the Ohio Regional Transformation Team. Bill is also a member of the National Evangelistic Association’s Board of Directors and is a Ministry Associate with The Columbia Partnership.
Bill is a frequent Church Leadership Retreat leader and speaks at several Church Transformation Events each year. Bill is a Church Growth and Transformation Consultant and a Church Leadership Coach.
Bill has published articles in several professional journals and has published four books. His best known book, published by Chalice Press in January of 2008, is Renew Your Congregation, Healing the Sick and Raising the Dead.
Voice: 513.266.0961, E-mail: BMcConnell@TheColumbiaPatnership.org
