by Jon Anderson Until we moved to another city a few years ago, my wife and I were part of a large church for over 25 years. For the last 14 of those years, I served as an elder. During that time, our church went through several critical seasons. Two of those seasons went […]
Archive for shepherding
Authors : Jon Anderson
by Brad Cox We are living in a politically charged season marked by sharp disagreements, quick judgments, and a constant pull to choose sides. Unfortunately, in many ways the church has found itself in a similar season. Topics that used to be cut and dry are suddenly up for discussion. Members in the same […]
Authors : Brad Cox
by Carlus Gupton Many church leaders today feel exhausted. The emotional temperature of public life seems to rise every year. Social media amplifies outrage. News cycles accelerate conflict. Cultural debates once confined to politics now spill directly into congregational life. Elders and ministers who entered ministry to shepherd people toward Christ increasingly find themselves […]
Authors : Carlus Gupton
by Scott Laird “We want/need more elders,” is a consistent message shared by leaders in Churches of Christ. Forty-three years of supported ministry in churches in Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Montana have led me to conclude that existing leadership must develop new leaders and elders from within the people the Lord has already given His […]
Authors : Scott Laird
by Jason Thompson The model for plural church leadership finds its origin in our holy, triune God, who exists in perfect relationship. From the beginning, He has invited us into that divine relationship—calling us to serve and lead within the context of the local church. Throughout scripture and history, God has consistently worked through […]
Authors : Jason Thompson
Tags : shepherding, Shepherds/Elders
by Jim Martin So what does shepherding look like practically? The following are some best practices for shepherding people in the congregation: 1. Listen well and give others your presence. Good shepherds learn to listen well. This means paying attention to the content, feelings, and body language of others. Those who listen well are […]
Authors : Jim Martin
Tags : shepherding, Shepherds/Elders
by Evertt Huffard They Smell Like Sheep, author Lynn Anderson observed that: “Good spiritual leaders are shepherds, not saviors, leaders not lords, guides not gods” (p. 74). Good shepherds, leaders, and guides cannot be passive and serve well. A paradox commonly observed in church leadership is the tendency to select good men who are passive […]
Authors : Evertt Huffard
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