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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…
When I started working with churches between preachers nearly thirteen years ago, several people, said, “You should write a book on interim ministry.” I started the blog Between Preachers in January 2016 which became the book released last week. Between Preachers is now available in both paperback and Kindle on Amazon. Order your copy: [su_button…
I have projects I need to complete and places I plan to go during the next few weeks. I plan to return with more posts in the middle of February. Let me share with you two books I read last week. Rocky Times: a life of struggle, family & faith, by Ellen Claiborne. Ellen, Lucien,…
I’ve not always liked criticism. There was a time when I avoided it. A Monday afternoon counseling session and much practice changed that. My new rule is: I love criticism! Criticism Rule for Leaders But, there are people who are difficult. There are people who are evil (wicked, malicious, mischievous (Romans 1:28-32). Must I continue…
Deep Change: discovering the leader within, by Robert E. Quinn, Copyright © 1996 by John Wiley & sons, Inc., New York, ISBN 0-7879-0244-6 Some links are affiliate links. We may get paid if you buy something or take action after clicking one of these. You can buy this book form Amazon: Deep Change, by Robert…
The first New Shepherds Orientation Workshop, November 1, 2, 2013 was initiated when Henry Wilhoit, an elder from Fairlane Church of Christ, Shelbyville, Tennessee called me with a request. “Jerrie, we’ve appointed five elders. Four of them have never served before. Do you think you could prepare something to help us understand the work of…
Why would a dying person not call for a doctor? I felt helpless. A man I’d never seen before came to talk with me one Monday afternoon. He asked if I’d help him with his marriage. I inquired about the problem. He said his wife had sued him for divorce. I asked when the divorce…
How many times have you known someone in a congregation (elder, preacher, deacon, Bible teacher, man, woman) who is toxic in the group? They’re a pain in the church and will run off more people than you can invite. Some habits, personality traits they practice: Gossip Harsh attitude Lack of listening to others Always right…
My observation: a great weakness of many leaders (preachers, elders, parents, others): the hard rule they have that they won’t admit and apologize for mistakes, weaknesses, sins, shortcomings, offenses, and neglect for fear of losing respect and power. When that rule is followed, that person cannot be blameless, without fault, above reproach. Many times I’ve…