Shepherding

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 | Deacons | Delegation | Growth | Individual Responsibility | Leadership | Overseeing | Shepherding

One Way to Recruit and Train More Shepherds
ByJerrie Barber February 21, 2017February 21, 2017

People often ask, “How can we encourage more men to become elders?”. For several years, I saw something at the Central Church of Christ in Dalton, Georgia, that was effective. We had a good group of elders and deacons. Elders delegated, empowered, and let deacons deak. They were also good at showing appreciation. One of…

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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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Communication | Individual Responsibility | Listening | Sheep | Shepherding

1 Reason People Act the Way They Do
ByJerrie Barber December 20, 2016March 28, 2023

Anybody ought to know better than that!” But they don’t. People do what they do because they believe for today, and for them, this is the best and wisest thing for them to do. How do I know? The Bible tells me so. Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the…

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Communication | Elder-Preacher Relationships | Gossip | Grace | Gratitude | Growth | Influence | Leadership | Shepherding

9 Ways to Encourage Your Preacher
ByJerrie Barber December 6, 2016January 5, 2022

I received this email from a preacher friend: Could you answer the following questions for me in order to assist me with a sermon this week. We’re doing a “Church Growth” series – and the next lesson is on Ministerial Renewal. Perhaps my answers to him would provide a “mustard seed” of how to encourage…

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Goals | Individual Responsibility | Leadership | Overseeing | Shepherding

3 Tips for Time Management
ByJerrie Barber November 1, 2016October 31, 2016

I’ve never been busier — church, family, work, children, grandchildren, and other things coming up. I just don’t have enough time.” How does a busy person exhibit excellence when there’re so many choices and chores? Is it possible? Here is the thesis of my post: If a job, ministry, task, or project is something I…

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Communication | Conflict | Individual Responsibility | Influence | Leadership | Shepherding

Have you apologized, repented, confessed lately?
ByJerrie Barber October 18, 2016October 18, 2016

I don’t have a problem with them making a mistake. I can accept that. We all make mistakes. What hurts is when they make mistakes and fail to acknowledge them — and worse when they deny it was a problem and try to cover it up.” A bishop must be blameless, above reproach (1 Timothy…

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