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 in...

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 shapi...

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 discovere...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

Why do people sometimes take the preacher's side in a church fuss?Why do some people call the preacher Pastor?What does the Bible say?Why would people not respect that and not take the preacher's side? As an Ama...

What do you do when you’ve had severe trauma in your life? How do you deal with repeating nightmares? Does my faith in God prevent me from seeking professional help?  In this episode of Gleaning Mustard Seeds, you’ll hear the beginn...

Reflections on the first year of this podcast. Thank you for your support and encouragment.Top 10 downloads for this year.

Is it a sin to be angry?How can I keep from sinning when I feel angry?What scriptures and principles can guide me in dealing with anger?As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. There is no additional char...

"You never get a second chance to make a good first impression."When people are considering visiting your congregation, what is their first impression? Does your website have "curb appeal?"You may find a "mustard seed" that coul...

I've often heard that money causes the most conflict in marriage. Gail and I haven't experienced that. One of our first big arguments was where to squeeze the toothpaste tube.I discuss both these topics in this episode.<...

How do we reconcile what Paul said to the church at Corinth in 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 with what he wrote in the rest of the book? Were they hopeless? Would you attend their special events if you lived in the area? Would you invite them to your Vac...

Do you recognize transitions in groups or ignore them? I've found that recognizing and discussing the transitions is better than ignoring them and being disturbed by the resistance, anger, and sabotage accompanying them.To re...

What do you do when you are tired, burned out, and don't even have time to eat? Jesus said, "Come away...and rest awhile."A sabbatical in the summer of 2000 was the most helpful gift a church has given me.How can we encourage ou...

Wanting to be a teacher and having a severe problem with stuttering presented a problem for young John Whitwell. With the help of others, he overcame that speech impediment, became one of the best band directors in the country, and has taught t...

Jerrie's cousin, John Whitwell, tells how he went from Cow Holler near Centerville, Tennessee, to be the Director of Bands at the University of Michigan. Although he had never heard of a school band when his family moved to Michigan, he first s...

How can elders and deacons keep their roles separate yet compatible and cooperative? How can elders oversee and not micromanage?

Why do we have trouble with having peaceful, productive conversations?Could it be because it would be challenging to have an enjoyable game if some played by basketball rules, others by baseball rules, and another part of the group play...

Why do we have trouble with having peaceful, productive conversations?Could it be because it would be challenging to have an enjoyable game if some played by basketball rules, others by baseball rules, and another part of the group play...

Can we accomplish in 14 seconds what the Lord intended for the Lord's Supper?Please take a few minutes to consider what we should be doing each week when we pause and "DO THIS IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME."

How can a young, inexperienced preacher do well? What if your young preacher doesn't understand some of the fundamental principles of finances, how to do the work of ministry, how elders work, and how to have a good preacher-elder relationship?...

What do you do when you can't fulfill your promises? That was my challenge when I resigned from a church less than twelve hours after I agreed to move to their town and work with them.But the principle applies to anyone who discovers th...

Is there any hope of investing to accumulate money for retirement and other big purchases? Does anybody know enough to help me understand the principles of investment? These ten principles have helped me to develop a plan and not worry about ea...