Rev. Bill Wells - ProfilesArchive

About Me

Born in London, Ontario, Canada, Dr. Rev. Bill Wells (1938-2005) was a compelling public speaker who, unlike most ministers, delivered his weekly sermons with no written notes. It was 10-20 minutes of thought provoking and often humorous improv.
Rev. Wells was in favor of ordaining gay ministers, against capital punishment, and publicly campaigned in favor of a woman's right to choose.
His ministry started during the early 1960's in the Canadian prairies of Plumas, Manitoba. He and his wife Judy then moved back to his hometown of London, Ontario for several years at First Westminster United Church. Beginning in 1971, Rev. Wells spent almost 20 years at Northminster United Church in Peterborough, Ontario. In 1990 he accepted a position at The Donway United Church in Don Mills, Ontario, for almost 8 years, and a final and difficult ministry at St. Johns United Church in Scarborough, Ontario.
After being diagnosed with multiple myeloma in early 2001, he resigned from full time ministry. He would often preach at surrounding churches, most often at Cosburn United Church in Toronto. He passed away August 4, 2005 in Toronto.
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My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 8/31/2006
Sounds Like: "Noah" - from a series of sermons on the book of Genesis, given in 1999 at St. John's United Church, Scarborough, Ontario. Rev. Wells examines the story from several angles, including historical, revealing Noah as an imperfect but righteous man who was willing to follow God's lead and build an ark even with no signs of a coming flood. Rev. Wells states "you can always start over again... you are not condemned by your past."
"Jesus on the Cross" - a classic Rev. Wells sermon, engaging, candid and full of tangential stories. Rev. Wells preaches about how "speaking the truth is a dangerous occupation." The sermon begins with Jesus on the cross asking God "why have you abandoned me?"
"Sodom and Gomorrah" - from the same series on the book of Genesis, given in 1999 at St. John's United Church, Scarborough, Ontario. One of the best known stories from the Old Testament, it's often used as Biblical "proof" that homosexuality is evil in the eyes of God. Rev. Wells turns the story on its head, and concludes by saying "we need to rethink the truthes coming out of that story... and it sets us free. Free to be real with each other and free to know the grace and forgiveness of God." He addresses the hypocrisy of some Christians rejecting outsiders, be they homosexuals or simply people from other church congregations. Never afraid to stir the pot, in this sermon Rev. Wells directly admonishes his own congregation for not preparing for the baptism of a child from another congregation the prior Sunday. As he began the baptism, he realized there was no water in the baptism table and no baptism certificate. When later in the week he asked why that happened, the answer was "oh, those people aren't one of us anyway."
"Sexual Orientation" - in 1972, the United Church of Canada's General Council commissioned a comprehensive study of human sexuality. In 1980, a task force on sexuality presented its report "In God's Image...Male and Female". It concluded: "there is no reason in principle why mature, self-accepting homosexuals, any more than mature, self-accepting heterosexuals, should not be ordained or commissioned." This sparked a defining debate with the United Church nationwide, resulting in many members leaving the church to join more conservative denominations. Rev. Wells analyzes the controversial report at Northminster Church, Peterborough, Ontario in 1988.
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