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I remember those early years. As I entered the building each Sunday morning, I was greeted by the treasurer in the foyer. He had my check in an envelope. He presented it to me in front of everyone. Then followed comments — week, after week, after week: “Where’s mine?” “How much is it?” (Easy to…
I recommend that elders, deacons, preachers, teachers, and other leaders have a “No Suicide Contract” Read: Preventing Leadership Suicide The sudden departure of a leader is shocking and hurtful. When it’s accompanied by anger and recruiting others to quit or leave, it’s devastating. It’s not only shocking and hurtful, but it may also be dishonest. Jacob…
Why in the world would anybody do that? Anybody in his right mind ought to know better than that. They aren’t honest.” How I answer the question in my mind determines how I approach someone to confront and correct them. If they aren’t in their right mind and aren’t honest, I may not be working…
I’m not talking about the elder of the month—the one who leads opening prayer, sets the agenda, and goes around the table asking, “Do you have anything to bring up?”. I’m asking: are you aware of a leader of your leaders? Have you considered the effect he has on your group. Is it healthy or…
A response and question from my blog post of August 1, 2017: “Brother I liked your article Do you know a sound congregation? I know why I would write an article like this, but I am curious why you did? Just curious…thank you and love you.” I don’t think I serve the cause of unity…
I am intrigued, guided, informed, strengthened, weakened, and sometimes made wiser by observing, making, breaking, and changing rules. I’m not discussing in this post rules in the Bible. Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind (Philippians 3:16, NKJV). I…
He was the most powerful “head elder” I’ve ever met in more than five decades of preaching. When a meeting wasn’t going his way, he’d say, “Well, it’s time to go out and greet the people.” (We met before services.) Without a word, the rest of the elders rose and followed him out of the…
I hereby resign as a…of this congregation — effective immediately! There may be a nod of the head, his wife rises, and they exit the back door. Or a gasp when even his wife didn’t know it was coming. I’ve observed or heard of it happening from elders, deacons, and preachers. Without discussion or planning,…
You’ve probably heard the story of the newly married couple. Both were trying to be the perfect partner. The husband noticed his wife cut off about 3” of the ham each time she cooked that dish. He didn’t want to criticize. But she kept doing it. He was calculating how much money she was throwing…