Gleaning Mustard Seeds with Jerrie Barber

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 principles that helped me move from simply enduring difficult people to dealing with them wisely. The best day of ...

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 fear of conflict, division, or losing members?How can a church pursue discipline in a way that clea...

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 you inside the lessons learned—not just from Scripture, but from the journey of fasting i...

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 leaving the congregation? You’ll discover a simple, biblical framework: identify the re...

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, and three powerful reasons every congregation should intentionally honor its shepherds.&n...