Author Archives: Jay F Guin

About Jay F Guin

My name is Jay Guin, and I’m a retired elder. I wrote The Holy Spirit and Revolutionary Grace about 18 years ago. I’ve spoken at the Pepperdine, Lipscomb, ACU, Harding, and Tulsa lectureships and at ElderLink. My wife’s name is Denise, and I have four sons, Chris, Jonathan, Tyler, and Philip. I have two grandchildren. And I practice law.

Advice to a New Elder: They Smell Like Sheep, Part 8 (Eze 34 and John 10, Part 1)

Posted on July 6, 2016 by Jay F Guin

In the last 20 years or so, the “Good Shepherd” passages in Eze 34 and John 10 have been highly influential in our thinking regarding what an elder/shepherd/overseer should do. Some find here evidence that pastoral duties (shepherding) are the … Continue reading →

Posted in Advice to a New Elder, Elders, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

The Mission of the Church: Creation Care, Part 2 (The New Testament)

Posted on July 5, 2016 by Jay F Guin

Col 1:15-23 Christopher Wright quotes, (Col. 1:15-23 ESV) 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones … Continue reading →

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Advice to a New Elder: They Smell Like Sheep, Part 6 (inclusive decision making)

Posted on July 4, 2016 by Jay F Guin

So how does a too-busy eldership include the congregation in decision making? Well, it depends on the size of the church and the decision being made. We know from Acts 15 (doctrinal decision) and 1 Cor 5 (decision to withdraw … Continue reading →

Posted in Advice to a New Elder, Elders, Uncategorized | 17 Comments

The Afterlife, Lesson 4, Theories About Where the Saved Are After They Die

Posted on July 3, 2016 by Jay F Guin

Lesson 4, focusing on where the saved are between their deaths and the return of Jesus. Download from Lesson 4. Right click and select “Save Link As” to download. (If you left click, it will stream.) Or stream:  

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Consumed by Fire: “He Waits for Me”

Posted on July 3, 2016 by Jay F Guin

There’s a place I go when I need a getaway there’s a peace I know that sooths the soul And this life I’ve found I know it’s not my own so when I run to you it’s like I’m running … Continue reading →

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The Mission of the Church: Wrapping Up, Part 1

Posted on July 3, 2016 by Jay F Guin

So it turns out that the mission of the church is a huge topic. How does an eldership respond to this in their leadership of the church? Here are some thoughts. I’m open to other suggestions. After all, I can’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Missional Christianity, Uncategorized | 8 Comments

Advice to a New Elder: They Smell Like Sheep, Part 7 (Boundaries)

Posted on July 2, 2016 by Jay F Guin

At last we get to the pastoral part of an elder’s job description. First, a few boundaries — Power under submission There is no reason to insist that all elders take on pastoral duties — unless you also insist that … Continue reading →

Posted in Advice to a New Elder, Elders, Uncategorized | 8 Comments

Josh Garrels: “Hiding Place”

Posted on June 30, 2016 by Jay F Guin

Somewhere out there Can anybody hear my prayer Save me From this dark land If I had wings I would fly away from everything That hurts me and tears me down Is there a home for a mother and a … Continue reading →

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The Mission of the Church: Leadership

Posted on June 30, 2016 by Jay F Guin

Thompson has a fascinating chapter on church leadership. We don’t normally think of leadership as a missional topic, but Thompson makes the point that how we’re led is governed by the church’s mission. If we don’t get the connection, we … Continue reading →

Posted in Missional Christianity, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Advice to a New Elder: They Smell Like Sheep, Part 5 (What is “administration”?)

Posted on June 28, 2016 by Jay F Guin

But doesn’t the Bible say that elders should be shepherds rather than administrators? No, it most certainly does not. In fact, administration is listed as a gift of the Spirit in 1 Cor 12, and leadership is a gift of … Continue reading →

Posted in Advice to a New Elder, Elders, Uncategorized | 3 Comments