Most preachers don’t learn how to talk to elders about money in school—they learn it the hard way. In this episode, I start with my own bad example and trace the lessons that came from awkward questions, unspoken assumptions, and em...

Most preachers spend years preparing for sermons, visits, and beginnings—but almost no time learning how to leave a church well. In this episode, I share what I learned the hard way through painful exits, family strain, an abrupt di...

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by trying to change everything at once—and ended up changing nothing?What if real growth isn’t about learning more, but about learning less and actually using it?Could one small, “mustard seed...

What if the people who frustrate you most aren’t being rebellious—but genuinely believe they’re doing the right thing?How did Jesus respond to people committing the greatest sin in history—and what does that mean for the way we correct o...

 Everyone's had at least one person who's made ministry harder than it had to be. In this episode, I share painful moments—from constant criticism to being asked to resign minutes before worship.It's also good to learn how to...

What does Jesus mean by “tell it to the church,” and how can a congregation obey this command without turning discipline into public shaming or gossip?How does involving the whole church—rather than only elders or preachers—change...

Many Christians can quote what Jesus said about fasting, but far fewer have actually practiced it. In this episode, we explore what happens when biblical teaching meets real-life experience. From Jesus’ words in the Serm...

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...