In this episode, we dig beneath the traditions and assumptions surrounding deacon selection and go back to the New Testament pattern. Why were deacons appointed in the first place? Who actually chose them? And how does A...

Elders pour out time, prayer, energy, and emotional strength to shepherd God’s people—yet many serve for decades without ever hearing a heartfelt “thank you.” In this episode, we explore why elder appreciation isn’t just polite—it’s...

Are you thinking about starting a new church? Before taking that step, the Bible gives us sobering guidelines and surprising examples—from the chaos of Corinth to the warnings in Revelation. In this episode, we explore t...

What do you say when someone looks you in the eye—or calls you on the phone—and tells you they’re thinking of ending their life? In this episode, I share three life-saving questions I learned decades ago, real conversations I've had wit...

What happens when a workplace conflict gets so intense that the boss finally brings in a psychologist—and why does that psychologist’s plan begin with something as simple as buying lunch?How can a $2,000 conversation solve a probl...

Have you ever thought you were too old to start something new?What if your greatest joy in life was hiding behind something you’ve always said you “don’t like to do”?How can a seventy-year-old who once dreaded writing end...

This is the second in a series of two episodes on gossip and conflict. If you haven't heard episode 76, start there.Have you ever wondered why gossip spreads so easily—and why it’s so hard to stop once it starts?What if the key ...

Should every Christian and every church get vaccinated for the conflict virus? The virus I’m talking about doesn’t attack the body—it infects relationships. It spreads quietly, destroys trust, and divides churches.&nbs...

In this episode of Gleaning Mustard Seeds, you’ll hear the first chapter of the audible version of Fleecy Clouds: One Woman's Story of Surviving and Thriving after Childhood Abuse, by Gail Champion Barber and Alice Sullivan.Fleecy Cloud...

Most of us avoid talking about death—or about leaving a ministry—until we’re forced to. But what if preparing for both could bring peace instead of panic? In this episode, I’ll share lessons from planning my own funeral and my own e...

Moving to a new church and getting a new preacher is an exciting time. Many are convinced this’ll solve all the problems they've ever had, and everyone will live happily ever after.What if your “new” preacher—or your “new” church—co...

I say I want the church to grow—but often what I mean is only with people like me. Jesus said His kingdom would start small and grow beyond expectation, yet when growth brings people who unsettle me, I face the the difference between...

In this episode of Gleaning Mustard Seeds, you’ll hear two chapters of the audible version of Between Preachers, a book about interim ministry by Jerrie Barber.Listen as I read the chapters 10 and 13, Is There Any Hope for this C...

What really prepares a man to be an elder? Is it years of church, attendance, a successful business career, or a heart shaped by conflict, prayer, and growth?When someone accepts the call to shepherd God's people, how do th...

What happens when elders and preachers stop guessing about each other—and start talking honestly?How can friendship between elders and preachers change the health of a church?Why is constant, open feedback more valuable than an ...

 Have you ever wanted your church to grow — but not with certain kinds of people?What would you do if someone with a terrible past, like Saul of Tarsus or Jeffrey Dahmer, wanted to be baptized or place membership at your congregatio...

What’s the difference between an elder’s job description and an elder’s covenant—and why does it matter?Could your eldership function better if its “unwritten rules” were actually discussed, agreed upon, and written?Is avoiding ...

Why do most preachers have job descriptions—but most elders don’t?Have you ever considered what an elder actually commits to when heaccepts the role?What would happen if a new shepherd’s first elders’ meeting were aboutb...

When selecting elders, do we practice legalized gossip — and call it wisdom?In this episode, we examine one of the most accepted but unbiblical traditions in many congregations: “signed and secret objections” during elder selection....

What does it mean to love someone enough to ask gentle questions instead of making harsh accusations?Could we change the culture of our churches by learning how to listen, confront, and encourage without gossip?In this episode, ...

Do you have a safe place to speak openly — and be truly heard? What if you could meet regularly with people who understand your struggles and celebrate your victories? In this episode, I share how people meeting consistently can grow in...

Are we living with the consequences of the leaders we’ve shaped—or failed to shape?Have you ever wondered why toxic conflict lingers in churches, even after a problem person is gone?Could your family background be silently shapi...

Why is transition to new elders sometimes difficult, especially when a preacher has been with a church for decades?Why is a preacher often surprised when he is suddenly dismissed and he has a contract?Here's a method I discovere...

How does a preacher decide to move to another church. How does he choose the church where he will work? What are the things he looks for to make that decision?I can't answer for other preachers, but several years ago, I made a detailed ...

Have you noticed that different families have different rules? Did your mother and father have different rules? Did you know who to ask to get what you wanted? Did you think your family had the best rules, or did you ...