Gleaning Mustard Seeds with Jerrie Barber

Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie Two years, 89 countries, and my promise: as long as one person is listening, I'll keep talking if I’m able.  In this milestone episode, we look back at the conversations that resonated most — from a terrifying elders' meeting that caused nightmares, to observations about why elderships quietly fail, to one of the most tender questions a...

Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie If your church lacks strong leadership, is it because you don’t have good elders—or because you don’t have faithful mature members? Are you waiting on leaders to step up… while they’re waiting on you to follow? When conflict arises, do you expect the other person to make the first move—and what does that reveal about your obedience? Could it be th...

Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie Sometimes the most lasting lessons come from moments that began in mischief.  In this episode, Go to him alone: a childhood lesson in Matthew 18, I share a story from my early school days—one involving rocks, hubcaps, and an unexpected teacher.  What started as innocent fun became a vivid reminder of how Jesus calls us to address wrongdoing with t...

Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie Let’s be honest—every family fusses sometimes.  But how we handle those moments can either build us up or tear us apart.  In this second part of How to Fuss Fair in the Family , we’ll talk about staying kind when emotions run high, dealing with issues without attacking each other, and keeping the love flowing strong.  If you’ve ever wondered how t...

Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie Are you damaging your marriage or family every time you argue — and don’t even realize it? Have you ever said “nothing’s wrong” when something was very wrong… and it only made things worse? Do your arguments end with understanding… or with hurt feelings that never really go away? Could one simple change in the way you argue completely change the a...

Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie What if the greatest damage in your relationships isn’t caused by what happens—but by what’s said?  In this episode, we take a look at the words we use in marriage, politics, and even in faith conversations—and how those words follow an unchanging law: you reap what you sow .  If you’ve ever wondered why conflict escalates instead of heals, this d...

Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie Ninety-nine episodes ago, Gleaning Mustard Seeds began with a simple idea suggested by members of our family.  In this special milestone episode, I'm joined by our daughter, Christi, and our grandson, Braden, who first encouraged me to start the podcast.  They reflect on how it began, the joy it's brought, and the impact these conversati...

Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie If a faithful member of your congregation quietly disappeared for three weeks, would we even notice — or would we only notice when it was time to print a new directory? If you went missing from your church today, how many weeks would pass before someone filed a "spiritual missing persons report”? Are we functioning more like a gym or Walmart...

Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie In this episode, I tell the story of a moment that’s stayed with me for more than forty-five years—a simple comment from a friend that exposed a blind spot I didn’t know I had.  I thought I understood humility. I preached about it. Quoted it. Admired it.  But one honest sentence from a friend made me see myself more clearly than any compliment I e...

Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie In this episode of Gleaning Mustard Seeds, you’ll hear the second 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. Listen now as Christi Barber Parsons reads Chapter 2: Little House As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purc...

Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie Most of us don’t struggle with laziness—we struggle with too many meaningful things to do and not enough hours to do them.  In this episode, I tell the story of a day when ministry duties, family needs, study, and hospital waiting rooms collided—and the prayer that reshaped my approach to time ever since.  If you’ve ever wondered how to choose wis...

Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie Every eldership says it believes in shared leadership—until one man’s voice consistently ends the discussion. In this episode, Do You Have a Head Elder? , I name a dynamic most churches recognize but rarely confront: the leader of the leaders.  Sometimes he’s kind and life-giving.  Other times he’s controlling, wounded, or quietly corrosive—and th...

Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie Most of the people who changed my life never tried to. They weren’t aiming to be memorable or influential—they were simply doing what came naturally.  In this episode, I reflect on the men and women who planted small mustard seeds in my life and opened doors I didn’t know existed.  Decades later, their influence continues to grow.         Between...

Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie 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. Between Preachers is available in paperback, hardcover, Kindle, and audio. Links to purchase the book will be included in the show notes. Listen as I read the chapters 12 and 14, Interim M...

Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie Church splits leave scars that last for decades—not just on congregations, but on hearts.  In this episode, I revisit a painful division involving people I loved on both sides, the fear of being “marked,” and the long road toward understanding what scripture really teaches about doctrine, conflict, and unity.  Episode 92 isn’t about choosing sides...

Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie Being an elder is more than a title—it’s a calling. In this episode, we examine Peter’s appeal to elders and Jesus’ model of shepherding to ask hard questions about leadership.  Drawing from 1 Peter 5 and John 10, we challenge common assumptions and call all leaders to Christ-shaped shepherding under the Chief Shepherd.  If you care about the heal...

Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie 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 embarrassing moments.  From unpaid vacations to refusing a raise out of fear, to discovering the wisdom of written agr...

Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie 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 dismissal, and, eventually, thoughtful and healing departures.  From quoting the Sermon on the Mount to avoid criticis...

Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie 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” habit make more difference in your life than all the books, classes, and seminars combined? Why do small, consistent steps...

Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie 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 others today? Does believing that “everyone is right in their own eyes” change how you talk to irritating brethr...

Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie   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 respond without becoming bitter or difficult myself. I tell those stories and share the hard-earned princi...

Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie 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 both the spirit and the effectiveness of church discipline? What’s lost when a congregation avoids discipline out of...

Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie 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 Sermon on the Mount to the early church’s use of fasting in mission, leadership, and spiritual struggle, this conversation takes yo...

Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie 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 Acts 6 reshape common practices like “rewarding faithfulness,” filling vacancies, or appointing men to keep families from leavin...

Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie 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 biblical, healthy, and vital for the unity and future of the church.  You’ll hear real stories, practical ideas, an...