New Shepherds Orientation Workshop #20 — Decatur, Alabama

Front Row, Left to Right: Marilyn Whitson, Melissa Cooper, Ginger Spurlin, Jerrie Barber, Jeanne Simpson, Linda Hammond, Elizabeth Guinn, Elizabeth Michael, Rachel Harrub, Becky Ellis
Back 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 ideal for this congregation. A year and a half ago, the Grant Street church and the Austinville church in Decatur, Alabama discussed the possibility of a merger. They started meeting together soon, combining their elderships. Since then, some elders have resigned and they recently appointed a new shepherd.

I was impressed with the homework this group did. They read the assigned books. The elders spent two meetings discussing and working on their rules as to how they promised to relate to each other as fellow-shepherds of the Decatur Church of Christ.

The elders’ wives were actively involved. One of the elders was unable to attend but his wife was present and participated both Friday night and Saturday.

As a result of suggestions and good criticism, the workshop continues to improve and add new information and exercises.

Two things are emphasized:

  1. Our hope is in our pain. You can’t win the Friday night football game if the players spend all their practice time Monday through Thursday in recliners playing video games.
  2. We are formed and sustained by our habits — for good and bad. We are constantly evaluating our rules (habits, the way we do things) to observe whether they need to stay the same or be adjusted to produce better growth and effectiveness.

Please call (615-584-0512) or email (jerrie@barberclippings.com) to discuss a weekend of continuing education for your leadership team (elders, ministers, and spouses). I have a limited number of dates available for 2021.

  1. Contact me.
  2. Decide on a date.
  3. Start your preparation for this learning and growing experience for your leadership.

(Visited 486 times, 55 visits today)
Jerrie Barber
Servant of Jesus, husband to Gail, father to Jerrie Wayne Barber, II and Christi Parsons, grandfather, great-grandfather, Interim Preacher, Shepherd coach, Ventriloquist, barefoot runner, ride a cruiser bicycle

4 Responses to “New Shepherds Orientation Workshop #20 — Decatur, Alabama

  • EDGAR C. BEARD
    4 years ago

    I AM SO VERY PROUD OF YOU AND GAIL…YOU ARE BRILLIANT AND DOING A GREAT WORK FOR THE LORD ANS YOU AND YOUR PARENTS ALWAYS DID BEFORE YOU..LEAVING YOU A GREAT A EXAMPLE TO FOLLOW…I KNOW THEY WERE VERY PROUD OF YOU AND THEY WOULD BE OVER-JOYED AT SOEM TO THE THINGS YOU ARE DOING TODAY TO STRENGTHEN THE LORD’S CHURCH….AS YOU DID AS A TEENAGE AND IN SCHOOL …YOU ARE A DEDICATED AND LOVING SERVANT OF GOD…AND SUCH AA BREAT BLESSING TO THE CHURCH… GOD BLESS YOU W/CONTINUED HEALTH AND LONG LIFE !!!

  • Danny L. In Madisonville
    4 years ago

    Jerrie, keep on Marchin’

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