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It’s time to select additional elders. What are our rules? Will leaders select leaders or will the group select leaders? Will we encourage legalized gossip during the vetting phase (a later blog post)? Legalized Gossip Should we ask people before we nominate them? It’s important to think, discuss, decide, and communicate our rules. Our rules…
I don’t recall anyone ever saying he or she was a member of an unfriendly church. “Our church is really friendly,” most people tell me. And as an observer at some congregations, they are…to each other with their best friends in the congregation. [bctt tweet=”Should we be concerned about whether others perceive our congregation as…
I received this contact from an elder on Facebook Messenger: “Hello! Can you suggest an article on the process of appointing an additional elder at a church with elders? I know you’ve discussed this before and had some good words on the subject. Thanks!” My reply: Click to read: Who Selects Leaders in the Church? Click…
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…
We met at the Drury Inn in Sikeston, Missouri December 8-10 for the 9th New Shepherds Orientation Workshop. In other workshops, I came to a church knowing little about them except email correspondence. I have been with Shady Acres nine months. We are beginning to get acquainted. We knew each other well enough to discuss…
We had a hard working group for the 7th New Shepherds Orientation Workshop. It was a beautiful drive around the Northern border of the Smokies the weekend of August 25-27. This is one of the most culturally diverse congregations I’ve visited. The Spanish and English worship together. Their website is in both English and Spanish….
One of the frequent petitions I hear about elders in public prayers is, “Lord, bless our elders as they make their decisions.” I often cringe when I hear that. What about, “Bless our elders as they shepherd the flock; bless our elders as they set examples of excellence, dedication, service, and holiness; bless our elders…
We’ll call Tuesday night at 7:00. Just move, and we’ll take care of you. We’re going to visit all the families in the congregation.” “I’ll help this church double. We’ll be able to appoint elders six months after I start working with you. I haven’t had any courses, but I’m a good counselor.” When promises…
The sixth New Shepherds Orientation Workshop was with the Puyallup Church of Christ in Puyallup, Washington. We had the training sessions in the Holiday Inn Express in Seattle, Washington. I was touched and encouraged. Although two of the elders were involved in deaths close to them, they were present for most of the training. One…
The fifth New Shepherds Orientation Workshop was conducted with the elders, ministers, and spouses of the Smyrna Church of Christ, Smyrna, Tennessee, February 23-25. We met at NHC in Murfreesboro Friday night and Saturday. We enjoyed a delicious meal together at The Chop House Saturday night after closing the workshop at 5:00. I stayed over…