Gleaning Mustard Seeds with Jerrie Barber

Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie 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 the questions every Christian should ask before planting a new congregation: What’s motivating the move?  Is it prayerfully plan...

Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie 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 with people on the edge, and biblical insights about those who died by suicide—including one hero of faith. We’...

Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie 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 problem that months of tension and frustration couldn’t fix? And what if the key to restoring peace in an office—or a famil...

Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie 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 up publishing books, blogs, and now podcasts? Is it ever too late to discover a new passion — or could your next chapter be y...

Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie 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 to ending conflict in your church, family, or workplace is as simple as refusing to add one more stick of wood to...

Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie 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.  Its name? Gossip. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. There is no additional charge to you. Fleecy Clouds: On...

Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie 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 Clouds is now available in paperback, hardcover, Kindle, and audio. Links to purchase the book will be included...

Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie 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 exit from full-time preaching—practical ways preachers and elders can prepare for the next chapter. As an Amazon Asso...

Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie 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—comes with more miles and hidden dents than you realize? Do you know where to get a reliable “PREACHERFAX” or “CH...

Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie 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 what I want and what God wants.  The real question is: Do I want the church to grow, or just to grow my way? As an...

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. Listen as I read the chapters 10 and 13, Is There Any Hope for this Church and How Much Do You Pay an Interim?   As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. There is no addit...

Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie 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 they know if the congregation actually wants them to serve, and how do they avoid simply becoming a senior deacon? In thi...

Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie 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 annual surprise list of problems during the yearly evaluation? Could sharing both successes and struggles strengthen tr...

Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie  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 congregation? Are we more concerned with our comfort than with God’s mission for the church? Could fear of change be keeping us...

Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie 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 all disagreement a sign of unity—or a sign of trouble? How can a covenant help elders handle conflict with respect, lov...

Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie Why do most preachers have job descriptions—but most elders don’t? Have you ever considered what an elder actually commits to when he accepts the role? What would happen if a new shepherd’s first elders’ meeting were about broken lawn mowers instead of broken hearts? Could documenting the expected roles of elders help prevent future conflict and c...

Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie When selecting elders, do we practice legalized gossip — and call it wisdom? In this episode, we examine one of the most accepted but unbiblical traditions in many congregations: “signed and secret objections” during elder selection.   Is it fair? Is it gossip? Is it consistent with Jesus’ teachings in Matthew 18?  We explore how some of our &quot...

Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie What does it mean to love someone enough to ask gentle questions instead of making harsh accusations? Could we change the culture of our churches by learning how to listen, confront, and encourage without gossip? In this episode, we explore how to recognize, address, and prevent gossip—not with guilt trips, but with grace and truth. If you'd...

Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie Do you have a safe place to speak openly — and be truly heard? What if you could meet regularly with people who understand your struggles and celebrate your victories? In this episode, I share how people meeting consistently can grow into a decades-long tradition of support, encouragement, and deep connection. You’ll learn how to start and sustain...

Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie Are we living with the consequences of the leaders we’ve shaped—or failed to shape? Have you ever wondered why toxic conflict lingers in churches, even after a problem person is gone? Could your family background be silently shaping your leadership—for better or worse? What can we do to improve leadership in the family, church, business, and softb...

Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie Why is transition to new elders sometimes difficult, especially when a preacher has been with a church for decades? Why is a preacher often surprised when he is suddenly dismissed and he has a contract? Here's a method I discovered in 1988, and it's been helpful to me. Website for Braden Parsons Photography Braden Parsons' email:  b...

Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie How does a preacher decide to move to another church. How does he choose the church where he will work? What are the things he looks for to make that decision? I can't answer for other preachers, but several years ago, I made a detailed study of my process in one of me moves. In this epsoide, you have my report of that process. My shortest st...

Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie Have you noticed that different families have different rules?  Did your mother and father have different rules?  Did you know who to ask to get what you wanted?  Did you think your family had the best rules, or did you wish that your family had the rules of some of your friends?  How does that work when two people get married who came from differ...

Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie What do you do when you are speechless? What do you do when someone tells you that you look weird? Do you do whatever they say to make you look unweird? Criticism Rule blog post   Fleecy Clouds: One Woman's Story of Surviving and Thriving After Childhood Abuse When you find a "mustard seed," please share the address of this podcast...

Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie How are you doing on forgiving yourself? What if you are trying to do something that can't be done? Listen to this episode. Forgiveness is a gift that God is willing to give us. It isn't a gift we give ourselves. That takes a lot of pressure off trying to forgive myself. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. There is...