Welcome to My Resume

My name is Bill Ranta, and I am currently seeking an opportunity to serve a community of people that needs a leader who has thirteen years of ministry experience. I am passionate about seeing God's church grow, as God's people are empowered by the Holy Spirit and lending thier gifts to expand the kingdom. I want to see lost people found, broken people healed, and the less fortunate loved and served. I have a B.A. in Psychology from Asbury College, and a Masters of Counseling and Masters of Dinviity from Asbury Seminary. My gifts are administration and leadership. I am also a trained and licensed professional counselor for the State of Michigan. I've had many experiences that have shaped me into the pastoral leader that I am today. Below are just a few.

My Statement of Faith

God the King/the Holy Trinity
I believe that God is the Eternal King. He is an infinite, unchangeable Spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, goodness, justice, power and love. From all eternity He exists as the One Living and True God in three persons of one substance, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit equal in power and glory.

God the King: the Creator and Ruler of All Things
I believe that God’s kingdom is everlasting. From His throne, through His Son, His eternal Word, God created, upholds and governs all that exists: the heavenly places, the angelic hosts, the universe, the earth, every living thing and mankind. God created all things very good.

Counterfeit Kingdom: Satan and Demonic Hosts
I believe that Satan, originally a great, good angel, rebelled against God, taking a host of angels with him. He was cast out of God’s presence and, as a usurper of God’s rule, established a counter-kingdom of darkness and evil on the earth.

The Kingdom in the Creation of Man, the Fall and the Doctrine of Original Sin
I believe that God created mankind in His own image, male and female, for relationship with Himself and to govern the earth. Under the temptation of Satan, our original parents fell from grace, bringing sin, sickness and God’s judgment of death to the earth. Through the fall, Satan and his demonic hosts gained access to God's good creation. Creation now experiences the consequences and effects of Adam’s original sin. Human beings are born in sin, subject to God’s judgment of death and captive to Satan’s kingdom of darkness.

God’s Providence, Kingdom, Law and Covenants
I believe that God did not abandon His rule over the earth, which He continues to uphold by His providence. In order to bring redemption, God established covenants, which revealed His grace to sinful people. In the covenant with Abraham, God bound Himself to His people Israel, promising to deliver them from bondage to sin and Satan and to bless all the nations through them.

I believe that, as King, God later redeemed His people by His mighty acts from bondage in Egypt and establish His covenant through Moses, revealing His perfect will and our obligation to fulfill it. The law’s purpose is to order our fallen race and to make us conscious of our moral responsibility. By the work of God’s Spirit, it convicts us of our sin and God’s righteous judgment against us and brings us to Christ alone for salvation.

I believe that when Israel rejected God’s rule over her as King, God established the monarchy in Israel and made an unconditional covenant with David, promising that his heir would restore God’s kingdom reign over His people as Messiah forever.

Christ the Mediator and Eternal King
I believe that in the fullness of time, God honored His covenants with Israel and His prophetic promises of salvation by sending His Son, Jesus, into the world. Conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, as fully God and fully man in one person, He is humanity as God intended us to be. Jesus was anointed as God’s Messiah and empowered by the Holy Spirit, inaugurating God’s kingdom reign on earth, overpowering the reign of Satan by resisting temptation, preaching the good news of salvation, healing the sick, casting out demons and raising the dead. Gathering his disciples, He reconstituted God’s people as His Church to be the instrument of His kingdom. After dying for the sins of the world, Jesus was raised from the dead on the third day fulfilling the covenant of blessing given to Abraham. In His sinless, perfect life Jesus met the demands of the law and in His atoning death on the cross He took God’s judgment for sin, which we deserve as law-breakers. By His death on the cross He also disarmed the demonic powers. The covenant with David was fulfilled in Jesus’ birth from David’s house, His Messianic ministry, His glorious resurrection from the dead, His ascent into heaven and His present rule at the right hand of the Father. As God’s and David’s heir, He is the eternal Messiah-King, advancing God’s reign throughout every generation and throughout the whole earth today.

The Ministry of the Holy Spirit
I believe that the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Church at Pentecost in power, baptizing believers into the Body of Christ and releasing the gifts of the Spirit to them. The Spirit brings the permanent indwelling presence of God to us for spiritual worship, personal sanctification, building up the Church, gifting us for ministry, and driving back the kingdom of Satan by the evangelization of the world through proclaiming the word of Jesus and doing the works of Jesus.

I believe that the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Jesus Christ and that He is our abiding Helper, Teacher, and Guide. I believe in the filling or the empowering of the Holy Spirit, often a conscious experience, for ministry today. I believe in the present ministry of the Spirit, and in the exercise of all of the Biblical gifts of the Spirit. I practice the laying on of hands for the empowering of the Spirit, for healing, and for recognition and empowering of those whom God has ordained to lead and serve the Church.

The Sufficiency of Scripture
I believe that the Holy Spirit inspired the human authors of Holy Scripture so that the Bible is without error in the original manuscripts. I embrace the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments as the final, absolute authority, the only infallible rule of faith and practice.

The Power of the Gospel Over the Kingdom of Darkness
I believe that the whole world is under the domination of Satan and that all people are sinners by nature and choice. All people therefore are under God’s just judgment. Through the preaching of the Good News of Jesus and the Kingdom of God and the work of the Holy Spirit, God regenerates, justifies, adopts and sanctifies through Jesus by the Spirit all who repent of their sins and trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. By this they are released from Satan’s domain and enter into God’s kingdom reign.

The Church: Instrument of the Kingdom
I believe in the one, holy, universal Church. All who repent of their sins and confess Jesus as Lord and Savior are regenerated by the Holy Spirit and form the living Body of Christ, of which He is the head and of which we are all members.

Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
I believe that Jesus Christ committed two ordinances to the Church: water baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Both are available to all believers.

The Kingdom of God and the Final Judgment
I believe that God’s kingdom has come in the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ. That it continues to come in the ministry of the Spirit through the Church, and that it will be consummated in the glorious, visible and triumphant appearing of Christ – His return to the earth as King. After Christ returns to reign, He will bring about the final defeat of Satan and all of his minions and works, the resurrection of the dead, the final judgment and the eternal blessing of the righteous and eternal conscious punishment of the wicked. Finally, God will be all in all; His kingdom, His rule and reign, will be fulfilled in the new heavens and the new earth, recreated by His mighty power, in which righteousness dwells and in which He will forever be worshipped.

My Guiding Principles as a Leader

As a leader of the church I commit to:

... giving my life to the work of God’s Kingdom. As a leader of God’s people I want to surrender my will to God’s plans and purposes.

“…In view of God’s mercy, present yourselves as living sacrifices,
holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship.” Romans 12:1

... enthusiastically share in the vision, mission, and values of those who are in authority over me, and respectfully support their leadership.

“Follow your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.” Hebrews 13:17

...seeking God’s blessing and direction in all things as ministry is about Him and not about me.

“The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything make your
request known to God.” Philippians 4:5-7
“…we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.” Colossians 1:9
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” Colossians 4:2

... extending the sacrificial and unconditional love of Jesus to all.

“This is love; not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent his Son as atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love each other…if we love one another God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” 1 John 4:10-12

... creating a community that reflects the Kingdom of Heaven, where everyone is included and respected, and diversity of thought, culture, and style are embraced and celebrated.

“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:3
“There was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb.” Revelation 7:9

... living my life as examples to all, modeling Christ-like leadership and Biblical principals.

“Live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” Ephesians 4:1
“For I do not seek my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. Follow my example as I follow the example of Jesus.” I Corinthians 10:33, 11:1

... seeking and speaking truth by dealing with conflict and misunderstandings directly and in a timely manner.

“If someone hurts you, go and tell him – work it out between the two of you. If he listens,
you have made a friend. If he won’t listen, take one or two others with you…and try again.”
Matthew 18:15-16

“ We will no longer be infants tossed back and forth by the waves…Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up unto Him who is the Head - Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 4:14-16

... giving God my best by embracing new ideas, looking for ways to improve, and taking initiative to implement positive change.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord and not for men…
It is the Lord you are serving." Colossians 3:23

... being a good steward of the resources God provides.

“Be very careful how you live - be wise, making the most of every opportunity.” Ephesians 5:15

...Godly communication that is honoring and edifying to others.

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit all those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29

... serving, developing, and equipping others to do ministry.

“…prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until
we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature,
attaining the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” Ephesians 4:12

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit but in humility consider others better than yourselves. You should not look only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3

...working together with other staff members as a team – each of us bringing our God-given gifts together to glorify God and to further His Kingdom.

“May the God who gives encouragement and endurance give you a spirit of unity…..So that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 15:5

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:8-9

...living a life of balance that protects my family and enhance my ministry to the church.

"...he must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family how can he take care of God's church?)." 1 Timothy 3:4-5

... celebrate the wonderful things that God does – big and small, and to share this joy with others.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

“Rejoice in the Lord always!” Philippians 4:4

“Joy is the serious work of Heaven” C.S. Lewis

Brad Bailey
Senior Pastor of the Westside Vineyard
I want to recommend Bill Ranta as a great gift for any Vineyard church's growing pastoral needs. Bill brings a very rare breadth of gifting and experience in administration. Care ministries, counseling, discipleship, and more. He has the leadership experience of having served in the lead role as well as the proven loyalty to serve as a team player under another pastor's leadership. He is young enough to have a natural connection with young adults and relate to the progression of the emerging church while being seasoned enough in life, marriage, and family to relate to all.

Karl Edwards
Bold Enterprises and former adjunct professor at Fuller Theological Seminary

When I think of a team-based leader who comfortably holds both the big picture and practical details together in a healthy tension, I think of my associate Bill Ranta. He not only makes things happen as any strong administrator does, but those things happen in a direction, which characterizes effective pastoral leadership. While his eyes look to the future, his heart remains available in the present.

He is creative in his approach to new solutions. Consistently an approachable consensus builder, he values and respects the unique contribution of each individual. He leads neither in isolation nor in reaction to others. His great sense of humor makes even the most difficult task a pleasure. A delightful person and a real find for any organization lucky enough to have him.

Brown Kinnard
(Retired) Former pastor, hospital chaplain and pastoral educator, and seminary professor

I enthusiastically recommend Bill Ranta for consideration by any church seeking to fill either a senior pastor or staff pastor position. Bill is multi-talented and has a rich mix of gifts, including pastoral care and counseling, healing ministry, teaching, preaching and administration. At Vineyard Church of Ann Arbor, where I knew Bill, he served variously as administrative pastor, care ministries pastor (Stephen Ministry, Pursuing Wholeness, Tradewinds), and children's ministry leader; and ably preached in rotation when the senior pastor was away. A person in his Tradewinds group said: "Bill was good at encouraging people to tell their stories without interfering. He was able to let people be with their feelings. It was life changing for me." Bill is supported at home by a wonderful wife, and they have four fine children. Bill has the educational background, pastoral skills, and life's experience to make a difference for good in the life of a church.

Westside Vineyard in L.A.
I have recently served at the Westside Vineyard in Los Angeles, California. This was the Vineyard that was originally planted by Ken Gulliksen in the mid-70’s, which made it the first Vineyard church predating John Wimber. The church has an amazing outreach in L.A. and in the world. Every Sunday, the homeless ministry team prepares meals and delivers them to the homeless in Santa Monica. Also, I have seen multiple teams go from this place to churches that are located in Southeast Asia and India and work to share their faith and equip believers to advance the kingdom. This community is very artistic and has a heart to use music and video to express the gospel to this entertainment culture. I have gained new passion, skill and vision to see the artistic community rise up to express Christ using their uniqueness in the church. In my time here, I have been able to help renew vision for children’s ministry, advance men’s ministry to encompass multiple generations, and support ministries that are advancing the healing process with the broken (CAIR Ministries, Living Waters, and marriage & individual counseling).

Children's Ministry
One of the things that I really appreciated about being here is the opportunity to work in leading the children's ministry. The Westside Vineyard has a great staff of directors and volunteers, who are open to make church work for kids. With such a heart, we advanced the children's ministry together to help kids experience passionate worship and a small group experience that has helped them become a community in Christ. Many of the kids help in leading the worship themselves. We feel that success is when children say to their parents "do I have to go home now?"

Baptism Service in L.A.
I love being part of a baptism service, and especially California style. While I have been here, I have been a part of two baptism services. I can't help but to feel more passionate about winning the lost as I participate in this special moment with new believers. Here at the Westside Vineyard, we have a very active Alpha Ministry that has been influencial in leading many people to Christ. It is good to be a part of a church that has focus to make the gospel relevant and gather those without a God connection into the arms of Christ. Also, I have enjoyed helping in the effort to grow new believers by providing a place for them to find healing from their brokenness and life as they serve in their unique giftedness.

Ann Arbor Vineyard Church - Main Auditorium
The Ann Arbor Church was a delight to work in. I had the privilege of supporting the ministry by starting out as their Administrative Pastor in June of 2000. My primary task was to lead the charge in the purchase, renovation, and move into a new facility that would house their new congregation of over 700. When I agreed to the challenge, the Senior Pastor, Ken Wilson, started on a three month sabbatical. During that time, I was one of three staff pastors who shared in the leadership of the church. In six months, we were able to finalize the purchase, finish over $600,000 in renovations (using paid and volunteer help), and move into the new facility. Many of the business professionals in our congregation were surprised that we could pull this off in such a short time. After fulfilling my role as a administrative pastor, my responsibilities shifted to being the care ministries pastor. I was in charge of training, developing, and overseeing multiple ministries that empowered the church community to care for each other in times of crisis. I was able to created group processes that supported these care givers and further empower and train them to be effective in caring for the larger church community. After a year, the senior pastor asked if I would be up for the challenge to develop a new children’s ministry program. The director of children’s ministry received a teaching job, and I was chosen to step in to take leadership of the children’s ministry. I was able to identify strong leaders that could develop and advance a vibrant children’s ministry. Within a few months we created an exciting program for kids to find Christ and be discipled as followers of Jesus.

Ann Arbor Vineyard Church-Post Renovation

Olathe, Kansas - Senior Pastor
As a senior pastor in Olathe, Kansas, I was challenged in many ways and my leadership skills were greatly sharpened. As the primary leader of the congregation, I helped to establish a clear vision and values that reflected the strength of the church, and what God was calling them into as a community of believers set out to impact a young culture. The church met in a school and owned 9 acres of land that they were planning to build a new sancturary on. During my time there, I was able to lead in a successful fund raising campaign in which $350,000 worth of pledges were made. As momentum continued in our compaign, we started to see a change in our focus as a church by becomming more outward focused and clear in our purpose as a church.

Ichthus Music Festival Grounds
From 1992-1995, I served as the General Chairman of Ichthus Ministries. This was a great experience which helped me to establish my leadership style and gave me passion to see the gospel breach cultural boundaries with the generation behind me. During this time, I advanced and prepared the ministry to move to a new location outside the city limits of Wilmore, Kentucky that became a more efficient location to handle traffic concerns and enhanced festival experience for participants. I was also instrumental in helping build a strong relationship between Ichthus Ministries and the city of Wilmore, which helped in the new location effort. In the years that I led this ministry, it was administrated by all volunteers from Asbury College and Asbury Seminary. I was also a full time student as I worked in this role. With this volunteer staff, we were able to recruit and train over 1500 volunteers to run the logistics of the festival which included camping, security, registration, marketing, food service, and program. Ichthus was a rich experience that helped me learn how to empower volunteer leaders and workers to push forward in God's purposes in ministry on a grand scale.

Ichthus Festival - Crowd Shot