When life gets tough or becomes discouraging, we can often decide to throw in the towel and walk away. However, in Galatians, Paul teaches us to do the opposite. I do not know about you, but I …

It’s wisdom suitable for a seasoned athlete – or a dedicated elder. With the COVID-delayed 2020 Summer Olympics beginning this month, many Americans will be tuning in to watch. Not all the Olympic events receive as much televised attention or fan interest, but all teach us lessons about skill and tenacity.

Is your church counting “nickels, noses and notches?” Said in another way, is your church counting the offering, attendance and decisions (i.e., baptisms and transfer of membership)? If so, there is so much more to measure.

Far too many churches measure the effectiveness of their ministry only in terms of the number…

Is there anyone out there who loves bookstores and libraries as much as I do? I love spending time in both places, exploring titles, buying, and borrowing, ultimately knowing I will have great encounters and adventures based on the books I read.

Recently when in a bookstore the back cover of a book…

Before we start, I already know that elder’s wives are always bubbly and cheerful and happy. You know, perky. 24-7-365. Everyone else believes we’re constantly overflowing with joy … except we’re not.

I’ve worn the cheerful face more than once when happy was dead last on my emotional registry.

Serving as a local church elder can be a life path you choose or a life path that chooses you, a ministry to which you aspire or a ministry in which you are affirmed/appointed by your church. A sense of 'calling' from the Lord is vital, but that calling can be more subjective or more objective. Usually, it is some combination of both!

This week, e2 “turned nine years old!”   We celebrated our ninth anniversary, and we have much for which to give thanks.  In this short time, we have put roughly 60,000 books in circulation—and in five languages (soon to be six), spoken to over 9,000 elders and church leaders in our conferences, and even have churches contacting us from other countries asking for help in developing elders.

Our newest initiative…

Since its beginning, e2 founders, Gary Johnson, Jim Estep, and David Roadcup have discussed how e2 effective elders might draw alongside the wives of elders to engage, encourage, and equip them. Last year at the Lead Well retreat for elders of partner churches we asked their wives that very question and received great comments and suggestions. Our next step…

You are undoubtedly aware of Betsy Ross’ connection with our colonial flag, but what about our current 50-star design? You might say that “Bob” was the Betsy Ross of the twentieth century; his is an interesting story…

I love the thought of God's daughters advancing against the kingdom of darkness as we embrace our identity as Psalm 32:7 girls. When we hide in God, we become courageous, and there's no shrinking back when we are courageous. Let's not stop there, though – there's more to the verse:

Paul was a lead chemist for one of the major international pharmaceutical companies. He had been involved in the development of some of the most helpful medications prescribed by physicians today. I did not meet him until long after his retirement. He remained very active in life and in hands-on projects in the church after his retirement. As we were sharing coffee one day…

Friends, God is good! Next month, e2 will celebrate our ninth anniversary and as we do so, we give thanks to the Lord for how HE has developed this ministry. We never expected to have tens of thousands of books in circulation—and in six languages. We never expected to have spoken to over 9,000 elders and church leaders—in our conferences alone. We never expected…

I want to be a 32:7 girl. I bet you will too. Let’s dive deep into Psalm 32:7 over the next several weeks and discover what it means to be a 32:7 girl. “You are my hiding place. You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance” (Psalm 32:7). Recently…

Dealing with division in the church continues to be a major work of elders. Squabbles have always existed in the church. A casual perusal of Paul’s letters proves the point. But I have never seen the kind of division that so many congregations face today.

“The pursuit of happiness is a dangerous destination for any leader.”

One of the things that sets us apart as leaders is that we make decisions. When decisions are made, very seldom is everyone happy. We all want our opinion to matter. However, in our postmodern, post-Christian culture our opinion becomes more than an opinion – it becomes our truth. Consequently, people take to social media to voice their disagreement with a decision or idea. In a church setting it goes something like this…

When church leaders start talking about the metaphor of the pastor-shepherd oft used in Scripture to illustrate the elder role, most of us immediately envision the stereotypical shepherd image, staff in hand, leading his sheep. Lately, however, I’m more convinced our role as elder is far better illustrated by the sheepdog who works with the Good Shepherd to protect and lead the sheep.

So, what kind of (canine) shepherd are you?