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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…
One hundred years ago, January 30. 1921, a baby boy was born to Omar and Nannie Barber: John Thomas Barber. He would continue his education until he completed the third or fourth grade — he wasn’t sure which one he finished. However, he would be a life-long learner. At twelve years old, after completing his…
A year ago today my family and I were in Israel. One of the reasons we were able to go is because we aimed to go. We planned for a year and a half. We chose a tour. We made a down payment — a commitment. We bought passports, clothes, chargers for our cell phones,…
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….
Elders often ask about compensation for events: gospel meetings, workshops, and special Sunday services: Homecoming, Friends and Family Day, or lessons on a specified topic. I’ve been reluctant to discuss this. I’ve been blessed financially and in many other ways in my preaching and teaching. I was afraid to discuss money in my early years:…
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….
When I started the new blog New Shepherds Orientation in January 2015, I emailed many elders and their wives. These were my questions: What did you learn during your first year serving as an elder that might be helpful to new shepherds? What did you learn during your first year serving as the wife of…
Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High, by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler; Copyright © 2012 by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, and Ron McMillan; published by McGraw Hill; New York; Kindle ISBN: 978-0-07-177132-0 My take-away from this book is when you are initiating a difficult conversation, make it easy for…
Who’s gonna fill their shoes?Who’s gonna stand that tall?Who’s gonna play the OpryAnd the Wabash Cannonball?Who’s gonna give their heart and soulTo get to me and you?Lord I wonder, who’s gonna fill their shoes? Max D. Barnes and Troy Seals wrote the song, “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes,” released by George Jones in 1985. They…