An Interview With Leader Pete Wilson of Crosspoint
A few weeks ago, I began interviewing leaders I admire. My first was Ben Arment. You can read that interview HERE. Another leader I am learning from is Pete Wilson. You can follow Pete on Twitter HERE.
Pete is a neighbor and friend in the ministry. Pete has a tremendous following online, but meeting with him always proves to me he is as nice in person as is presented by his Internet persona. The church Pete planted, Crosspoint, is twice the age of our church and nearly twice our size, so we learn much from their continued growth. Pete’s much anticipated first book comes out soon. Click HERE to purchase in advance. The quality I admire most about Pete is that he surrounds himself with sharp people and entrusts leadership and ownership of the vision to them. I think that shows in the work God is doing through them at Crosspoint.
Here are 10 questions with Pete Wilson:
1. When you were growing up, is this what you thought you would be doing vocationally? If not, what did you want to do?
I actually wanted to be a rock star. I was even in a band called “Fragile Crate.” We were awesome and were convinced that we were going to be the next big thing. It was either going to be a rock star or I was going to be President of the United States.
2. What’s the most different job you’ve had from what you are doing now and how did that job help you with what you are doing now?
Selling tuxes in a formal wear shop. Taught me a lot about how to deal with people, which is about 80% of ministry.
3. Who is one person, besides Christ, who most helped to shape your leadership and how did they help you?
I would have to say Dave Gibson. He was the owner of the tux shop. I was 16 years old and whenever business was slow, he would make me read Christian leadership books. He’s probably the first one that told me that I had a leadership gift that needed to be cultivated.
4. Besides the Bible, what is one book that has most helped to shape your thought process in life and ministry?
I read Rick Warrens “Purpose Driven Church” when I was a senior in college. As I was reading that book, a light bulb went off in my head. It was the first time I realized that church could be done differently than the way I had experienced it.
5. What are three words other people would use to describe your work style/ethic?
Relational, Truthful, Driven
6. What is your greatest strength in leadership?
Collaboration. I love collaborating with creative, focused leaders. I work best in the context of a team.
7. What is your greatest weakness in leadership?
I am a people pleaser. I want to grant every request, every meeting and it sometimes gets me in trouble. That’s definitely one thing I continue to work on.
8. What is the hardest thing you have to do in leadership?
Say no consistently and imagine ways to repackage the same vision over and over.
9. What is one misconception about your position you think people in your church may have?
I think people make an assumption that I’ve changed over the years when, in reality, my position has changed, not me.
10. If you could give one piece of advice to young leaders from what you’ve learned by experience, what would it be?
Constant contact with the Creator is essential for transformational leadership.
Thanks Pete for this insight into you and your leadership.
How else should I attempt to interview?
