Ted Wilson brings a number of excellent personal qualities to the office of President of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. One of the most important of these is authenticity. While you may not agree with his theological positions, they are not a game with him, he truly believes what he says and he says what he believes. He loves the writings of Ellen G. White and consults them carefully as he makes decisions. Also, in the culture of the General Conference building, it is often expedient on committees to keep silent once the president has spoken and revealed his position. But as a vice-president, Wilson was forthright, even when opposing the position of the president did not seem to be in his best political interests. Openness and candor are critical in the process of determining the best future directions for the church.

I also find Wilson to be approachable and a good listener. Like his father, he has a terrific memory of names and previous encounters with people. At the Loma Linda University board, he was approachable during breaks, often reminding people of times they met in high school or college. He is a good listener and I have seen him bring back things said by others hours or days before in spite of a life of information overload. On more than one visit to the General Conference building since his election, I have encountered him simply “hanging around the halls” chatting with people, something I rarely saw in his predecessors. The presidential office tends to isolate people and Wilson is well-constituted to resist that and get the feedback necessary to be successful.

The quality about Ted Wilson I find most likeable is his humility and simplicity. I understand that when he became president he turned down the designated parking spot that provides convenience and anonymity to the one in the position of power. Instead he continues to park his car in the general lot and work his way into the building the slow way. When he led the SDA church in Russia, he provided car budgets for the local leaders and directed the Americans, including himself, to use public transportation. He continues to live simply and prefers to be called “Ted,” rather than Dr. Wilson, Elder Wilson or Mr. President. In spite of the pressure of the presidency, I understand that he still teaches a Sabbath School class in his local church and is treated like a “normal” person there, rather than a celebrity. I pray that the pressures of the office will not change him in this regard.

Ted Wilson is a conservative in belief and lifestyle. Contrary to some internet opinion, I do not find him mean-spirited or political. He is a “nice” conservative. Language that sounds like a campaign speech and actions that seem political to others are not so intended. As I mentioned above, Ted really believes what he says and he doesn’t say or do things simply for political effect. Nor does he intend to be hurtful toward those who disagree and he does what he can to mend situations, when he becomes aware that hurt has occurred.

Arising out of his strong convictions, Ted Wilson tends to come across as rather blunt. He enters the room with an opinion and a goal, but this is tempered by his listening skills. I have seen him change his mind and adjust his position when data is presented that he wasn’t aware of upon entering the room. So I would characterize him as blunt but flexible. Those who deal with him should not be intimidated by his bluntness, but appeal to his listening skills to communicate other perspectives on an issue. His record with those who know him best is as a consensus builder rather than a divider. Flexibility is critical in a church leader and Wilson has more of that than many people think.

Finally, those who have worked under him consider him a master administrator. Everything he does runs “like a well-oiled machine.” Such efficiency can produce both good and bad outcomes, but it is much to be preferred over against incompetence. Ted is a very competent person, but he is facing challenges that will test his competence and his many fine qualities to the limits. I will address some of those challenges in my next blog.