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Interim at Eddyville
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We began our work at Eddyville, Kentucky, the first Sunday in May, 2007. The elders had contacted me about a year before. We met and discussed what we would like to do during the interim time. They expressed a desire to improve their communication with the congregation. We talked of a self-study of the congregation, a home Bible study for the elders, deacons, and spouses, and a training class for elders and deacons – both present and future. I visited the congregation in August 2006. After preaching at both services, we had a congregational meeting and outlined the things we had discussed. Some were doubtful that this was a good idea. Their previous preacher had left in November 2005. It would be May 2007 before I arrived. My commitment would be for six to eighteen months. Their concern was that they would be longer in the interim than they had been with a regular preacher. After a few weeks for additional input, the elders asked us to come.
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We are living in the house beside the building. Several members worked hard to prepare and furnish the house. We had told them that all we wanted to move was our clothes and computer. We later decided that we would buy an “interim bed” that we would use at each congregation. They did an excellent job of preparing everything for us: furniture, dishes, curtains – everything we need to live comfortably while we are here. We are enjoying this.
When we arrived, Gail and I started visiting all the families who would permit us. We asked three questions:
- What do you like about the Eddyville congregation? What are its strengths?
- What would you like to see improved in this church?
- What can we do while we are here that will be helpful?
We have visited 75% of the families. This was helpful to get to know the members and to hear their hopes and concerns.
Gail started a ladies Bible class soon after we arrived. They meet one morning each week and are having good participation.
We have had a family meeting once each month. The elders begin the meeting with what they would like to say about what they have discussed and any upcoming events. I talk about the work we are doing to prepare for the next preacher. We started soon to prepare for a time-line and self-study. Emma Walker, the wife of one of the elders, has kept detailed records of this congregation since 1961 – the year they moved into the present building. Many people participated in copying this information and entering the numbers into spreadsheets. We will place this information on a graph with a listing of elders, preachers, and events that have shaped this church. We plan to set a night to “talk through” this time line a decade at a time, reflecting on memories and observations for nearly a half a century.
The self study will help members to evaluate themselves, the congregation, and comment on the type of preacher that can help this church at this time.
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June 26, we started a class, Learning to Love my Friend(s). This week-night Bible class is based on John 15:13-15: “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.” The three aims of this study are:
- Learn to love and appreciate Jesus more as my Friend.
- Become more like Jesus in my friendship with others as He is a Friend to me.
- Learn to teach and communicate to others that they also can have a friendship with Jesus.
The elders, deacons, and wives are in this class along with Gail and me. The topics for the individual classes are:
- Opening Lesson.
- My Friend Jesus Understands Me.
- My Friend Jesus Understands Me When I Am Tired and Lonely.
- My Friend Jesus Understands Me When I Am Tempted.
- My Friend Jesus Understands Me When I Am Sad.
- My Friend Loves Me All the Time.
- My Friend Jesus Tells Me the Truth
- Jesus Is Willing to Help and Serve Me with Patience.
- My Friend Brings Out the Best in Me and Challenges Me to Grow.
- How Can I Be a Friend to Jesus?
Each session is scheduled for 2½ hours with a fifteen-minute break. I am posting the outlines on my blog as we meet: http://barberclippings.blogspot.com/ .
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 Graduation.jpg)
Graduation was Sunday night, November 25, following evening services. Each graduate told what they learned and what they planned to do with what they learned. Those in the picture:
Seated: Cheryl Walker, Linda Bennett, Emma Walker, Gail Barber, Ann Walker, Martha O'Bryan.
Standing: Joe Walker, Elbert Bennett, Doyle Walker, Jerrie Barber, Davy Walker, Randell O'Bryan.
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Part of our study of the Eddyville congregation was the making and discussing of a Time Line. One of the elder’s wives, Emma Walker, has kept statistics and note on the congregation since 1961. She has attendance, contribution, gospel meetings, preachers, appointment of elders and deacons, who was sick, and many personal notes. We had people who made two copies of those books. Others entered the numbers into spreadsheets.
We had a work night to put this information on a Time Line: 48 inches high and 20 feet long. On Thursday night, November 29, the congregation was invited to see and discuss the time line. We started with overall impression, then we discussed their memories a decade at a time, starting with the 2000’s, then the 1990’s, etc. This is a way to see where we have been to help determine where we would like to go. You can see larger pictures > Time Line .
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One of the perceived needs of the elders and the congregation is in communication. We have had numerous “Family Meetings” after services on Sunday nights. We discuss activities that are coming up, work to do during the interim time, and answer questions that people have.
Another way of meeting this need has been the elder-member communication. Two Sunday nights each month following evening services the elders and three families come to our house adjacent to the church building. My wife, Gail, has snacks prepared. After we eat, we have one hour to talk. I facilitate the conversation, setting the discussion guidelines.
What would you like to ask the elders?
Elders, what would you like to hear from the members?
What are your dreams and concerns for this congregation?
I have been pleased with the participation and results.
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Graduation for God’s Great Leaders Class was Sunday night, April 27. The men were recognized for their participation. Each leader told what he had learned in the class. Those pictured are
Standing: Joe Walker, Seth Myers, Doyle C. Walker, Zack Lisanby, Randell O’Bryan.
Seated: Dana Hays, Elbert Bennett, Davy Walker.
Men who were in the class but not pictured: Brian Dunning, Derrick Lisanby, Roger Lisanby, Bob McElvain, Tom Simpson, Will Simpson, Odell Walker.
For outlines and supplemental material to lead this class > Leadership Classes >
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One of the encouraging events each month in West Kentucky is the monthly preachers’ luncheon. This meeting has been going on for more than forty years. I spoke today (April 29, 2008) on “How I Have Been Encouraged by Preachers’ Meetings for More Than Forty Years.” Lance Cordle, the preacher at Calvert City, is the organizer. We have good food, good topics, and good fellowship each month. It is a time to learn what is happening in sister congregations and to talk with others involved in ministry. If you are in the area, it is at the Majestic Pizza & Steak House, Draffenville, Kentucky, the last Tuesday of each month at 11:30.
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Graduation for the second Learning to Love My Friend(s) Great Leaders Class was Sunday night, June 2. Each person was recognized for their participation. They told what they had learned in the class and what they planned to do as a result of what they had learned.
Standing: Brian Dunning, Tabitha Myers, Gail Barber.
Seated: Beth Dunning, Seth Myers, Leora Cruise.
Not pictured: Bea McElvain, Bob McElvain.
For outlines and supplemental material to lead this class > Leadership Classes >
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