Category Archives: Leadership

We need to deal with a couple of false doctrines. False doctrine 1: We shouldn’t hire preachers. There is no authority to hire them. Preachers are bad. That’s just wrong both doctrinally and practically. There was once a considerable branch … Continue reading →

[Reposted from 2012] A reader asks, Have you written on the issue of elder-led vs. the lead pastor model?  At work, I’m a big believer in the sole leader — follow or get out of the way — model.  I’m not sure that’s … Continue reading →

Among the most important decisions made by elders is who to hire as a minister. Traditionally, Churches of Christ do this by search committee. I’ve posted a series in the past on the search process. I’ll not repeat those materials … Continue reading →

Someone has probably sorted this all out scientifically. But here’s something else about group dynamics you need to know: people behave differently depending on the group size. With a group of four or less, you can have an accountability group. … Continue reading →

Dealing with conflicts of interest is one area where business is generally more ethical than churches. Business law says that you can’t vote if you have a conflict — and the conflict has to be disclosed to the group and … Continue reading →

Many years ago — maybe even back in the 1960s — we used to talk about group dynamics. But I’ve not heard that term in a very long while. Here’s the idea: people in groups act differently from people not … Continue reading →

By now it should be obvious that my talents don’t lie in the area of shepherding (in the traditional pastoral sense). But the series really needs a post on how to shepherd — and I’m the last person you should ask. … Continue reading →

Both new and experienced elders often get in trouble when they to counsel church members. There are some real dangers here that most are not sensitive to — because we do so little elder training. I mean, elders are under … Continue reading →

I am a fan of the work of Lynn Anderson, the author of They Smell Like Sheep. And I’ve been blessed to have had a couple of phone calls and meetings with Lynn in which the elders of my church … Continue reading →

Now, if we ignore the context of Eze 34, it’s easy to conclude that elders ought to be shepherds (true) and that their primary job is to heal the weak and injured, that is, care for their social and emotional … Continue reading →