Category Archives: Leadership

In Reply to Patrick Mead’s “The Problem with Elders,” Part 3B 1/2 (the Positive Challenge)

It’s easy to criticize the current Church of Christ system of congregational governance. In many of our congregations, it’s plainly broken. It’s an important and worthwhile discussion. But the discussion is ultimately useless unless a better system is put forward — … Continue reading

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In Reply to Patrick Mead’s “The Problem with Elders,” Part 3B (Further Regarding Authority)

We should next consider — (Eph 4:11-14 ESV) 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 … Continue reading

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In Reply to Patrick Mead’s “The Problem with Elders,” Part 3A 1/2 (Reflecting on the Comments)

Let’s think a bit about elders and positional authority. God as giver of authority I quote frequent commenter Price, who said it better than I could — Was there ever a time in the history of mankind that God didn’t … Continue reading

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In Reply to Patrick Mead’s “The Problem with Elders,” Part 3A (Regarding Authority)

Let’s talk about positional authority. We’ve been down this road before, and so I’ll try to keep it brief. The scriptures refer to the same men as “elders,” “overseers,” and “shepherds.” What would a First Century reader have heard in … Continue reading

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In Reply to Patrick Mead’s “The Problem with Elders,” Part 2 (Summary of My Views)

If you’ve not yet read them, here are Patrick’s original posts — The Problem With Elders, Part 1 The Problem With Elders, Part 2 The Problem With Elders, Part 3 The Problem With Elders, Part 4 The Problem with Preachers, … Continue reading

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In Reply to Patrick Mead’s “The Problem with Elders,” Part 1 (Why So Many Bad Elders?)

I’m a big Patrick Mead fan. He’s spoken at my home congregation more than once, I’m an avid reader of both his blogs, and I think he’s just a very fine preacher and writer. And I have great respect for … Continue reading

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The Pain of Disappointment, Part 16 (Back to the Beginning)

We all must make a choice. Either we suffer the pain of discipline or the pain of disappointment. Of course, that assumes that we have a goal or a purpose. And most Christians do not — because we figure our … Continue reading

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The Pain of Disappointment, Part 15 (Kings and Queens)

Okay. Let’s talk a little more about what it really means to be saved. There’s another theme coursing through the scriptures that we rarely think about — which should radically change our thinking about lots of things. (1Pe 2:9 ESV) 9 … Continue reading

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The Pain of Disappointment, Part 14 (Disappointment)

And so, who wins? Do the elders give in to the older members’ demands for hymn books, pews, and old-style hymns? Or do they give in to the young members who demand a deeper, more emotional experience? Who wins? Well, … Continue reading

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The Pain of Disappointment, Part 13 (The First Shall Be Last)

Here’s a doctrine we don’t much talk about — (Mat 19:30 ESV) 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first. (Mar 9:35 ESV)  35 And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said … Continue reading

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