Overseeing

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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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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Communication | Deacons | Delegation | Elder-Preacher Relationships | Growth | Individual Responsibility | Leadership | Leadership Selection | Overseeing | Sheep | Shepherd-Shepherd Relationships | Shepherding | Transition

Shady Acres — The First New Shepherds Orientation Workshop in an Interim Church
ByJerrie Barber December 18, 2017December 19, 2017

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…

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Communication | Conflict | Delegation | Elder-Preacher Relationships | Goals | Growth | Leadership | Leadership Selection | Listening | Overseeing | Sheep | Shepherd-Shepherd Relationships | Shepherding

Fairlane — the Church that Started New Shepherds Orientation
ByJerrie Barber November 20, 2017November 27, 2017

In the fall of 2013, Henry Wilhoite, an elder at Fairlane Church of Christ in Shelbyville, Tennessee, called. He said, “We’ve recently appointed five elders. Four of them have never served before. Could you put something together to help us get started and be more effective?” We met in Henry’s cabin in Gatlinburg November 1,…

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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 | Grace | Gratitude | Grief | Growth | Individual Responsibility | Influence | Leadership | Leadership Selection | Listening | Overseeing | Sheep | Shepherd-Shepherd Relationships | Shepherding

Culturally Diverse Church in Raleigh, North Carolina
ByJerrie Barber September 5, 2017September 5, 2017

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….

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Communication | Elder-Preacher Relationships | Goals | Grace | Gratitude | Growth | Individual Responsibility | Leadership | Overseeing

Preacher Evaluation…Suggestions
ByJerrie Barber August 15, 2017November 4, 2024

I enjoyed having my elders evaluate me yearly. I want to know how my overseers see me. I won’t know unless they tell me. Unless they write it, I may forget. Unless we discuss what they wrote, I may not understand clearly. I recently received this email request from an elder friend: “It is time…

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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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