Third New Shepherds Orientation Workshop at Fairlane

Fairlane Church of Christ in Shelbyville, Tennessee, participated in its third New Shepherds Orientation Workshop from August 9 to 11.

This is my first time leading three New Shepherds Orientation Workshops for the same congregation. But this was the design of this workshop.

Henry Wilhoit called me in the fall of 2013. He told me, “We’ve appointed five elders at Fairlane. Four of them had never served a day in their life before they were appointed. Could you assemble something to help them know what they are getting into?”

I told him I could. We met in his cabin in Gatlinburg November 1-2, 2013. We worked six hours on Friday and six hours on Saturday.

Four years later, they appointed additional elders. The second workshop was November 10-12, 2017.

This year, more elders were appointed. We did the workshop from August 9 to 11. Much of the material was the same, but there was more information, especially for the breakout discussion groups.

This workshop was designed to do that. When someone accepts a new task, dedicating time to learning rules, procedures, and expectations is good. A new group is formed every time a person leaves or joins the group. It’s good to recognize that and try to get everyone going in the best direction and working together. Aiming is better than hoping it will naturally happen. Unity isn’t an accident looking for a place to happen.

If this could be helpful to your congregation, please contact me for more information and questions:
Jerrie Barber
jerrie@barberclippings.com
(615) 584-0512

Feel free to call elders who have participated and ask about the benefits of this. Congregations where this workshop has been conducted:

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