Phone: (615) 584-0512
Many preachers (and elders) are uncomfortable talking about money. I’ve written about my fright in discussing it. My First Raise and Why I Turned it Down How can elders minimize the necessity of the preacher bringing up the subject of more money? Have the agreement in the contract and job description. My agreement in full-time…
Fifty years ago, I started repeating favorite verses and sayings after my run: Physical exercise has some value (1 Timothy 4:8, GNB). As time progressed, I added more content that was meaningful. When I finish a run, I walk about a quarter of a mile to cool down. During this time I repeat this. What follows…
The Peacemaking Pastor: a Biblical Guide to Resolving Church Conflict, by Alfred Poirier, © 2006 by Alfred Poirier, published by Baker Books, Grand Rapids, MI, ISBN 978–1–4412–0142–3 This book has a good analysis of conflict with practical suggestions on dealing with it. Is it a hindrance or opportunity? Since it is a reality of human relationships,…
In the late nineteen eighties, I told Gail, “I’d like to move one more time and do it easier.” Fresh out of school, I didn’t know what I was doing when I went to my first work and I didn’t know what I was doing when I moved eighteen months later. The second church fired…
I realize there are times and circumstances where preachers have to be terminated. There are instances of moral misconduct with no repentance or damage that can’t be repaired. A rebellious attitude can disrupt the unity of the congregation. There are other times when speed isn’t imperative. There’s time to think about what needs to be…
UPROAR: Calm Leadership in Anxious Times, by Peter L. Steinke, Rowman & Littlefied, Lanham; Copyright © 2019 by The Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group, Inc; ISBN 9781538116531 Peter Steinke died July 13, 2020. This was his last book. He had been studying, writing, and teaching about family systems for twenty-five years. I went to a…
It’s time to appoint elders. Is a man qualified? Does he have believing children? How many? If he’s been married more than once, does he have two (three, four) wives? These are important and should be addressed. In preparing the sermon for Sunday on the qualifications of elders, it jumped out at me: five of…
Front Row, Left to Right: Marilyn Whitson, Melissa Cooper, Ginger Spurlin, Jerrie Barber, Jeanne Simpson, Linda Hammond, Elizabeth Guinn, Elizabeth Michael, Rachel Harrub, Becky EllisBack Row, Left to Right: John Cooper, Jere Spurlin, Gail Barber, Alan Watkins, Tim Simpson, Keith Hammond, Robert Guinn, Cody Michael, Will Harrub, Jeff Ellis The New Shepherds Orientation Workshop was…
A year ago today my family and I were in Israel. One of the reasons we were able to go is because we aimed to go. We planned for a year and a half. We chose a tour. We made a down payment — a commitment. We bought passports, clothes, chargers for our cell phones,…
The Ideal Team Player: How to Recognize and Cultivate the Three Essential Virtues #ad, by Patrick Lencioni, Copyright © 2016, Published by Josey-Bass, Hoboken, New Jersey ISBN: 9781119209591 I found a good model for interviewing and selecting someone and how that person will work with others. I don’t endorse all the language in the book….