Who We Are

Your Partner In Formation

Rev. Wilson Ryland
Founder & President
picture of wil ryland and his wife

Wil is a husband, father, Christian thought leader and mentor.

Wil has been in ministry for 24 years. He’s been a youth pastor, associate pastor, and church planter. He’s also taught at the university level since 2014. He holds an MDiv. and is close to completing his PhD. in Theology. His research helps Shema mine the riches of the Christian past and find innovative ways to apply them to the unique challenges of our times. He is a guide for deep  faith in challenging and uncertain times, who helps people find healing at the source instead of merely treating symptoms. He has a special heart for helping pastors and future church leaders know more fully who they are in Christ and find their unique way of sharing their gifts with the world.

Our Story

Shema was born in 2019 out of a season of personal burnout. After decades in ministry, I (Wil) came face to face with the very pressures now overwhelming so many pastors—cultural hostility, inner exhaustion, and the slow erosion of purpose. But in that place, I experienced a renewal of calling: not to walk away, but to help others stay and thrive. Shema exists to guide leaders through the deep challenges of modern ministry—helping them understand the cultural forces at work, reconnect with their identity in Christ, and rise to meet this moment with wisdom, resilience, and joy.

What if the answer isn’t a new system—but a renewed spirit?

Our Philosphy

We believe true transformation begins with the spiritual health of the leader. A church’s growth, impact, and culture inevitably mirror the inner life of its pastors and staff. That’s why we don’t start with org charts, pipelines, or branding that pops. At Shema, we start with the heart, soul, and mind of the leader, because a renewed leader naturally fosters a healthy church.

wil ryland teaching a group

The Challenges
We Address

The issues preventing Christian leaders from creating lasting transformation.

Pastoral Burnout & Moral Failure

Christian leaders running on empty, managing tasks instead of leading from authentic spiritual strength.

Crises of Faith and Deconstruction

We help pastors navigate their own doubts while guiding people through hard questions in a shifting culture.

Eroding Public Trust

Growing skepticism toward Christian leadership in an increasingly secular and hostile culture.

Knowledge Over Formation

Educational institutions emphasizing theological knowledge while neglecting spiritual health and character.

Our Approach

Developing Formation Habits

Building daily practices that root your life in communion with Jesus and sustain long-term spiritual growth.

Practicing Statio

Moving through your days Present, Prepared, and Prayerful—a discipline learned from Benedictine monks.

Working with Creative Excellence

Living out of who you truly are in Christ unlocks your best work and innovative thinking.

Embodying Faithful Courage

Leading with bold conviction and unwavering commitment to God's calling, even in challenging circumstances.

Cultivating Authentic Holiness

Being honest about mistakes while refusing to settle for less than all God has for you.

Begin the Journey

Where authentic leadership takes root