As shepherds, it can seem like every one of our decisions, admonitions, words of encouragement, methods, sermons, leadership decisions, personality, home life, and just about everything else is constantly under ungracious scrutiny by others. Criticism is a daily encounter from nearly every angle and quite commonly from people who are unqualified to make such judgments.  It's made that much harder when the loudest critiques come from within your own leadership team. It's made worse when men cannot agree, sometimes resulting in relationships damaged by sinful responses. This episode is aimed right at the heart of conflict at the leadership level. The scripture is our guide to the way God has asked us to humbly accept criticism, and shepherd our hearts together with others when they disagree with us. 

Satan is all about taking down the church, but when personal holiness is well-disciplined, he only has one tactic left. He will try to make your ministry as ineffective as possible. He will send wolves into your flock, and one to your home.

When the wolves are outside, your ministry will be either helped or hindered by your wife's response to the trials that arise in your ministry. Your leadership will either strengthen her against temptation or weaken her resolve. 

This is probably going to be only part 1... we'll see.

Some leaders have come to believe that you can be an academic and call yourself a Shepherd. Or you can be a preacher without stepping foot into the pasture. They meant well at the start with motives couched in good-natured intentions and wrapped in lofty theological desires. But on further inspection, we often find serious ties to the fear of man and a distaste for discomfort. The results of these can be devastating, and the cost is a snuffed lampstand.

On this episode, Pastor Jerry and Daron ask Dr. George Zemek to tell us how the role of the shepherd became splintered, and how to make sure you won't deviate from the mission - feeding His sheep.

Dr. Zemek is a pastor on staff at Grace Immanuel Bible Church in Jupiter, FL, and a professor at The Expositor's Seminary. 

Pastor Jerry Wragg and Daron Roberts look at developing leaders. Specifically what to look for, what to watch out for, and how to best encourage a hesitator.

This time, Pastor Daron takes a deeper look at a chapter of Pastor Jerry's book, Courageous Churchmen, called Leaders God Resists to get to the bottom of detecting a dangerous character flaw - insecurity.

This is a critical discussion about a threat that's worse than a mere crack in a man's armor. On the surface, it may seem hard to detect. However, with the right upgrades to your radar, you will be able to target the facade that hides a desperate fear of man and leadership-crippling pride at every level.