Gossip

Anger | Communication | Conflict | Deacons | Delegation | Elder-Preacher Relationships | Giving | Goals | Gossip | Gratitude | Grief | Growth | Individual Responsibility | Influence | Leadership | Leadership Selection | Listening | Overseeing | Sheep | Shepherd-Shepherd Relationships | Shepherding

New Shepherds Orientation Workshop #20 — Decatur, Alabama
ByJerrie Barber February 1, 2021February 1, 2021

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…

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Communication | Conflict | Deacons | Delegation | Elder-Preacher Relationships | Goals | Gossip | Grace | Gratitude | Leadership

Central, McMinnville, Tennessee — New Shepherds Orientation Workshop # 19
ByJerrie Barber November 2, 2020November 2, 2020

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….

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Communication | Conflict | Gossip | Individual Responsibility | Leadership Selection

When Selecting Elders, Do You Practice Legalized Gossip?
ByJerrie Barber May 4, 2020May 5, 2020

“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…

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Communication | Conflict | Elder-Preacher Relationships | Goals | Gossip | Growth | Individual Responsibility | Leadership | Termination | Tools and Skills | Transition

Between Preachers: You Can Grow Through Interim Ministry — PUBLISHED!
ByJerrie Barber January 28, 2020January 28, 2020

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…

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Communication | Conflict | Delegation | Elder-Preacher Relationships | Gossip | Individual Responsibility | Leadership | Leadership Selection | Listening | Overseeing | Sheep | Shepherd-Shepherd Relationships

Two New Elders, Another Workshop 18 Months Later: NSO Workshop # 17
ByJerrie Barber September 16, 2019September 17, 2019

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…

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Conflict | Gossip | Individual Responsibility | Influence | Leadership

How to Build and Maintain a Dysfunctional Group: “I know..but we need” (You can’t take enough vitamins to make poison good for you.)
ByJerrie Barber June 17, 2019June 18, 2019

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…

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Communication | Delegation | Elder-Preacher Relationships | Goals | Gossip | Grace | Gratitude | Individual Responsibility | Leadership | Leadership Selection | Listening | Overseeing | Sheep | Shepherd-Shepherd Relationships | Shepherding

Reunion With An Intern from Thirty-Three Years Ago
ByJerrie Barber May 14, 2018May 12, 2018

Brian Jarrett graduated from Freed-Hardeman College in the spring of 1985 and came to Dalton, Georgia, to serve as an intern during the summer. He did an excellent job and endeared himself to the Central church. Brian is now pulpit preacher for the Hartsville Pike church in Gallatin, Tennessee. From left to right: Bob Sidwell, Jamie…

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Communication | Conflict | Gossip | Individual Responsibility | Leadership | Overseeing

Where Do Christians Learn to Gossip?
ByJerrie Barber November 6, 2017July 25, 2025

When you find conflict in a group (family, business, church, or softball team), somebody is spreading gossip. They think they’re doing the right thing (Proverbs 21:2). “Well, it’s the truth. Somebody needs to be speaking up. If I feel this way, I’m going to say it. At least I’m honest.” Where Do Christians Learn to…

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Communication | Conflict | Deacons | Delegation | Elder-Preacher Relationships | Goals | Gossip | Individual Responsibility | Influence | Leadership | Leadership Selection | Overseeing | Sheep | Shepherd-Shepherd Relationships | Shepherding | Termination

Excited and Growing Church in Washington State
ByJerrie Barber May 16, 2017May 16, 2017

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…

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Communication | Conflict | Deacons | Delegation | Elder-Preacher Relationships | Goals | Gossip | Individual Responsibility | Leadership | Leadership Selection | Overseeing | Sheep | Shepherd-Shepherd Relationships | Shepherding

New Shepherds Orientation Workshop, Smyrna, Tennessee
ByJerrie Barber April 4, 2017April 4, 2017

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…

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