Is Grace a Gift or a Bargain?
It was one year, seven months, and 22 days since the gift was presented. Bob and Bea McElvain came to...
Planning to Grow as a Leader
A friend asked if I’d come to his congregation to conduct a workshop on setting goals for the church. I...
When Your Preacher Becomes THE Pastor
Why don’t people respect the authority of elders? Don’t they know the church is to follow the elders — not...
Buying a Tombstone…
I’m shopping for two items: an Apple watch and a tombstone. One seems more exciting than the other, but I...
Have You Used the Yellow Pages Lately?
While running on Old Charlotte Road in Nashville recently, I was struck with the scene: seven mailboxes and eight Yellow...
Preventing Leadership Suicide:
I hereby resign as a…of this congregation — effective immediately! There may be a nod of the head, his wife...
3 Principles for Helping Others When You Don’t Know How
A couple came in when one had just learned the other was having an affair. We talked, cried, and wondered...
What Preachers (I) Wish Elders Knew About Preachers (Me)
This was an assigned topic for three preachers at the 21st Century Luncheon on March 2, 2009. Two other preachers...
1st Anniversary!!!
Thank you for your encouragement during this first year of New Shepherds Orientation. Your reading, “liking” on Facebook, commenting, and...
Good Shepherds I Have Known:
Near the end of my first New Shepherds Orientation Workshop, an elder asked, “Who is one of the best elders you...
