Individual Responsibility

Anger | Communication | Conflict | Deacons | Grief | Individual Responsibility | Shepherd-Shepherd Relationships | Transition

Are You Lying When Leaving Without Saying “Goodbye”?
ByJerrie Barber July 2, 2018July 5, 2022

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…

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Gratitude | Individual Responsibility | Influence | Leadership

Great Principles My Community Taught Me 60 Years Ago
ByJerrie Barber June 20, 2018August 12, 2020

I didn’t post Monday afternoon. My mother, Annette Barber, was diagnosed with cancer May 31. Hospice started services June 1. Mother died June 15. I returned to Sikeston to preach Sunday and returned to Centerville Monday. We’re making preparations for her funeral Thursday. My son, Jerrie Wayne, and his family have been preparing a month…

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Communication | Conflict | Individual Responsibility | Leadership | Overseeing | Shepherd-Shepherd Relationships | Shepherding

Do(es) Your (Preacher) Elders Have a Job Description?
ByJerrie Barber June 4, 2018May 10, 2021

A young preacher friend had been with a new church about a month. He called one Monday morning asking, “Do you have a copy of a job description? I think I’m going to need one.” I had one. I mailed it to him. (This was during the Old Testament before email and messaging). But he…

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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 | Elder-Preacher Relationships | Individual Responsibility | Leadership | Listening | Overseeing | Sheep | Shepherd-Shepherd Relationships | Shepherding | Tools and Skills

A Singing, Integrated, Joyful Church
ByJerrie Barber April 30, 2018April 27, 2018

From the first verse of the first song, I could tell it was going to be a great singing day. An elder, Ron Benvegna, led singing with excellence. The church followed beautifully. And that wasn’t the first impressive thing about Concord Street Church of Christ in Orlando, Florida. Second row: Gail and Jerrie Barber, Kathy…

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Communication | Individual Responsibility | Leadership Selection | Listening | Shepherding | Tools and Skills

What Do You Do When You Don’t Know What to Do?
ByJerrie Barber April 16, 2018April 14, 2018

The couple walked in, closed the door, and burst into tears. She’d just found evidence he was having an affair. He didn’t deny it. They talked. I listened. They came back the next day. We talked more. I told them, “I’m a pretty good country doctor. But you need a cardiologist. I’m not a cardiologist….

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Anger | Communication | Conflict | Grace | Individual Responsibility | Influence | Leadership | Overseeing | Shepherd-Shepherd Relationships

Do You Have a Head Elder?
ByJerrie Barber February 19, 2018August 30, 2022

I’m not talking about the elder of the month—the one who leads opening prayer, sets the agenda, and goes around the table asking, “Do you have anything to bring up?”. I’m asking: are you aware of a leader of your leaders? Have you considered the effect he has on your group. Is it healthy or…

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Conflict | Individual Responsibility | Leadership | Shepherding

“Friendliest Church I’ve Ever Seen” — Cricket Veal
ByJerrie Barber February 5, 2018February 11, 2018

It was a trying, disappointing time. In a few months, our attendance had dropped from near 400 to about 300 each Sunday. Two of three elders had resigned, dissolving the eldership. Unhappy people left. People said it was my fault, the previous elders’ fault, and the ones who were still there’s fault. According to reports,…

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Communication | Individual Responsibility | Leadership Selection

Who Selects Leaders in the Church? #2
ByJerrie Barber January 15, 2018August 28, 2020

When it’s time to select elders or deacons, who makes the selection? Selecting and ordaining are two different actions. Who selects? Who ordains? Please read my previous post for the beginning of this discussion: Who Selects Leaders in the Church? #1. The principle of the group selecting leaders, not leaders selecting leaders, isn’t a modern…

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Delegation | Individual Responsibility | Leadership | Leadership Selection

Who Selects Leaders in the Church?
ByJerrie Barber January 1, 2018August 28, 2020

When it’s time to add to the group of elders or deacons, who makes the selection? I’ve observed at least three ways: (1) Elders select whom they think would do the best work and submit the list to the church to evaluate. (2) Elders ask the church to make suggestions, but make the final decision…

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