Communication

Communication | Conflict | Elder-Preacher Relationships | Gratitude | Individual Responsibility | Leadership | Overseeing | Shepherding

When Your Preacher Becomes THE Pastor
ByJerrie Barber April 5, 2016January 28, 2022

Why don’t people respect the authority of elders? Don’t they know the church is to follow the elders — not the preacher?” The Bible does teach that ordained men are to oversee each congregation. I’m sure there are strains of the preacheritis virus around that infect some people. Let me share with you something else…

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Communication | Conflict | Elder-Preacher Relationships | Grief | Individual Responsibility | Leadership | Overseeing | Shepherding | Termination | Transition

Buying a Tombstone…
ByJerrie Barber March 15, 2016December 10, 2024

I’m shopping for two items: an Apple watch and a tombstone. One seems more exciting than the other, but I want to buy both. With the watch, I look forward to more enjoyable runs, sending and receiving messages, checking on news and weather, and looking at emails. With the tombstone, I’m reminded I won’t be…

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Communication | Deacons | Delegation | Individual Responsibility | Leadership

Have You Used the Yellow Pages Lately?
ByJerrie Barber March 1, 2016March 1, 2016

While running on Old Charlotte Road in Nashville recently, I was struck with the scene: seven mailboxes and eight Yellow Pages® books. They had been there for some time. They were weather worn. Why haven’t people picked them up and enthusiastically started using them? Fewer people are using Yellow Pages®. We threw ours away. I…

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Anger | Communication | Conflict | Grief | Individual Responsibility | Shepherd-Shepherd Relationships

Preventing Leadership Suicide:
ByJerrie Barber February 16, 2016July 5, 2022

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,…

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Communication | Delegation | Sheep | Shepherding

3 Principles for Helping Others When You Don’t Know How
ByJerrie Barber February 2, 2016April 17, 2018

A couple came in when one had just learned the other was having an affair. We talked, cried, and wondered if there was any hope for this marriage. As we continued to talk, I realized they needed someone with more expertise than me. After talking and listening for an hour or two, I gave my…

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Communication | Elder-Preacher Relationships | Gratitude | Growth | Leadership | Shepherding

What Preachers (I) Wish Elders Knew About Preachers (Me)
ByJerrie Barber January 19, 2016November 3, 2024

This was an assigned topic for three preachers at the 21st Century Luncheon on March 2, 2009. Two other preachers answered this question. Three elders made a corresponding presentation about what they wanted preachers to know about elders. This was my response. I don’t wish for elders to know anything about preachers. Preachers are as…

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Communication | Growth

1st Anniversary!!!
ByJerrie Barber January 5, 2016January 5, 2016

Thank you for your encouragement during this first year of New Shepherds Orientation. Your reading, “liking” on Facebook, commenting, and emails have been helpful. I would like to ask two favors: Request #1. Take a few minutes to fill out this survey. It will help me understand who is reading, what has been helpful and…

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Communication | Deacons | Delegation | Growth | Individual Responsibility | Leadership | Overseeing | Shepherding

Helping Deacons Deak:
ByJerrie Barber December 1, 2015February 28, 2025

There are two problems in delegation: not releasing a task and not accepting responsibility. I received the following email after a previous post: Marked this (delegation) early this morning to send to my elders…they do a great job in this area. The most challenging things for them are: Deacons who “grew up” under a system…

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Communication | Conflict | Gossip | Individual Responsibility | Shepherding

“They Say We Don’t Listen…”
ByJerrie Barber November 17, 2015June 11, 2026

I know Jesus said to talk to people you have something against, but it won’t do any good because they won’t listen” My question: “What did they say when you talked to them?” Often the answer is, “I didn’t talk to them because it won’t do any good because they won’t listen.” “How do you…

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Communication | Conflict | Growth | Individual Responsibility | Leadership | Overseeing | Shepherding

Shepherds, What Are Your Rules?
ByJerrie Barber October 20, 2015October 24, 2015

This is the way we’ve always done it. We don’t do it that way around here.” During an eldership funeral (topic for another blog post), I asked the elders, “Will you let new elders be a part of the team? Or will they be junior elders? Would you do anything differently if they suggested it…

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