Sheep

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 | 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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Anger | Communication | Conflict | Grace | Leadership | Sheep | Shepherding

Am I a Doctor’s Helper Who Is Allergic to Sick People?
ByJerrie Barber September 18, 2017March 23, 2021

A response and question from my blog post of August 1, 2017: “Brother I liked your article Do you know a sound congregation? I know why I would write an article like this, but I am curious why you did? Just curious…thank you and love you.” I don’t think I serve the cause of unity…

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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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Conflict | Deacons | Delegation | Grief | Individual Responsibility | Influence | Leadership | Leadership Selection | Sheep | Shepherding

“Bless Our _______ as They Make Their Decisions”
ByJerrie Barber July 4, 2017July 31, 2025

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…

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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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Growth | Individual Responsibility | Leadership | Sheep | Shepherding

Our Hope Is in our Pain
ByJerrie Barber April 18, 2017April 18, 2017

James Jones, a counselor and teacher, said it more than I wanted to hear: “Our hope is in our pain.” My internal response was, “Bologna.” I didn’t like it. I didn’t want to believe it. I dreamed of a day when my work and life would be easy, comfortable. He kept saying it. I kept…

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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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Communication | Conflict | Delegation | Goals | Individual Responsibility | Influence | Leadership | Listening | Sheep | Shepherding

7 Ways to Deal with the Pain of Being a Shepherd
ByJerrie Barber February 7, 2017November 3, 2021

I’ve worked with many shepherds who start with a great vision of their work. “We want to get out of management, details of the business, caring for the building, controlling finances, and become shepherds. We want to know the sheep, lead them, help them, and encourage them.” Often within three months the shepherding goal is…

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