Gleaning Mustard Seeds with Jerrie Barber
Jesus told His disciples that faith, like a grain of mustard seed, can move a mountain. This podcast presents short ideas that bless when the concepts are put into practice and become habits.
Episodes
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 "safe"...
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 like to 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 a monthly group that feed...
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 softball team?...
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: bradencpars...
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.
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 different families with di...
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 with a frie...
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 no additional charg...
Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie
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?
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Fleecy Clouds: One Woman's Story of Surviving and Thriving Afte...
Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie
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 beginning of the audible version of Fleecy Clouds.
Jim Wright, Executive Director Emeritus of Childhaven, wrote the Forward.
Gail Champion Barber wrote the Intro...
Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie
Reflections on the first year of this podcast. Thank you for your support and encouragment.
Top 10 downloads for this year.
When you find a "mustard seed," please share the address of this podcast with a friend: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2369804/episodes/17566838
Website for Braden Parsons Photography
Braden Parsons' email: bradencparsons@g...
Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie
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 charge to you.
Between Preachers: You Can Grow Through Interim Ministry
When you find a "mustard seed," please share the address of this pod...
Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie
"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 could improve the "front door" of your congregation.
Read the blog post corresponding to thi...
Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie
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.
PDF of budget items https://www.jerriebarber.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Jerrie-and-Gails-Budget-2.xlsx
Maintain...
Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie
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 Vacation Bible School and Friends and Family Day?
If a church is a dead church, does that mean that every member in that congregation i...
Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie
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 read the documents mentioned in this episode, click the links below:
Guidelines for Discussion
Starting from Scratch
Shepherd...
Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie
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 ourselves and others to practice this principle?
This podcast is brought to you in conjunction with the Ministry League Netw...
Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie
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 throughout the United States and other countries.
Send me a Text Message or ask a question. — Jerrie
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 saw one in a 4th of July parade.
Hear how that event and the events following changed his life, his stuttering, and the thousands of othe...
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