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Near the end of my first New Shepherds Orientation Workshop, an elder asked, “Who is one of the best elders you have ever served with?”. My mind went to Ed Riadon in Madisonville, Kentucky. We met first when Gail, Jerrie Wayne, and I stayed in their home in November, 1968. We were in Madisonville to “try…
There are two problems in delegation: not releasing a task and not accepting responsibility. I received the following email after a previous post: Marked this (delegation) early this morning to send to my elders…they do a great job in this area. The most challenging things for them are: Deacons who “grew up” under a system…
I know Jesus said to talk to people you have something against, but it won’t do any good because they won’t listen” My question: “What did they say when you talked to them?” Often the answer is, “I didn’t talk to them because it won’t do any good because they won’t listen.” “How do you…
I was asked to teach a young adult Bible class on Bible study or fasting. I chose Bible study because, at the time, I’d never fasted. I didn’t want to teach what Jesus and others said about fasting then make excuses about why I’d never practiced it. Since then I’ve fasted. I’m not an expert…
This is the way we’ve always done it. We don’t do it that way around here.” During an eldership funeral (topic for another blog post), I asked the elders, “Will you let new elders be a part of the team? Or will they be junior elders? Would you do anything differently if they suggested it…
I have an idea and I think we ought to do it. Let me tell you where I saw it work. Here are reasons I think we should do it here…Brother Famous Preacher and Brother Dedicated Elder in another congregation endorse this wholeheartedly. I’ve already talked with a couple of you and I know you…
One of the joys of our last interim in Maury City, Tennessee, was seeing the faith, works, and gratitude of Christian farmers. They are men and women who operate big businesses. Farmers study, learn, invest, plant, fertilize, and pray to the Lord to give increase. After an abundant harvest, they thank Him when He blesses…
During a gospel meeting, I watched an elder work hard for hours on one of the air conditioners at the building. I asked the preacher if they had a deacon whose ministry was the upkeep of the building. He said they did. “Why doesn’t the elder let him, encourage him, hold him responsible?,” I asked….
What would you think of a leader who says, “I don’t talk on the telephone. I get my wife to make a call if I need to get a message that way”? I heard a few men make those statements 50-60 years ago. I haven’t heard a man make a statement like that about telephones…
It was Sunday, December 19, 1976, 10:20 a.m. I had just taught a Sunday School Class. An elder gently asked me to step into the elders’ office. When the door was closed, he said, “Brother Jerrie, I think you ought to think about resigning today.” What a shock! That had never entered my mind. After…