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Family Systems and Congregational Life: A Map for Ministry, by R. Robert Creech, © 2019 by R. Robert Creech, Baker Academic Grand Rapids Robert Creech describes a leadership theory that says a person best leads by improving self more than making others do the right thing. You can view and buy this book on Amazon: Family Systems…
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,…
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…
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….
Left to right in the above picture: Doug and Becky Bost, Gail and Jerrie Barber, Toni and Dennis Ruch New Shepherds Orientation Workshop #19 was a job and a joy. It was a WORKshop. We met for twelve hours Friday and Saturday, October 16, 17.Since both our elders are retired, we met 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m….
It’s time to appoint elders or deacons. We read the instructions of Paul to Timothy and Titus in the Bible: 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1. All say this person must be “the husband of one wife.” But what if his first wife died and he remarried? Does he have one wife or two wives? What if…
“Sign a letter and we’ll never tell who wrote it” I am intrigued by rules (the way we do things — our habits), especially our rules for selecting elders. We find qualities of elders (1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9, 1 Peter 5:1-4). We can observe or ignore the apostles’ principles for selecting leaders for God’s people…