Glenn Colley

This short book (140 pages) presents 100 supposedly actual and true cases of situations that were presented to the elders of the church of Christ for advice, council, and resolution. Some of these scenarios are mind blowing. I would never have guessed some of the predicaments that people can get themselves into. Assuming these are all actual cases, it is true that truth is stranger than fiction.

Each case is presented and an answer provided by the author, an elder in the church of Christ. It is unfortunate that in many of the cases, neither the author nor the reader have all the facts of the matter. Knowing more might change the answer or enable a more complete solution.

While I am not all knowing or infallible, I have to disagree with the author’s solution in many of the cases. I was raised in the church and have studied the scriptures all my life. Again, I am neither perfect nor inspired by the Holy Spirit as those in the first century were, but some of his advice really missed the mark in my opinion.

It seemed the author was quick to advise elders to be overly nosy into people’s personal business. While I do realize the elders are responsible for the spiritual welfare of those they oversee, and will have to give an account of their oversight, sometimes this oversight can become too intrusive and invade personal space and boundaries. The author’s advice often did this very thing.

It also seemed some of the advice was contradictory in many cases. I realize each situation is unique and there is no “one size fits all” solution, but in one case he advised the elders to not make public the fact the preacher lied to the congregation to secure his job with the congregation, yet in another situation, he advised a woman to admit to her husband a sin of which she no longer practiced and of which she had already repented. If the preacher lied to a congregation to obtain his job with them, then he should openly confess this to the congregation and ask for their forgiveness. He sinned against the congregation and should confess to them publicly. However, if the woman who sinned against her husband confessed to him after the fact and after she repented of the sin, it would only cause irreparable harm to her marriage. Again, I am not perfect and my advice might be just as inaccurate as the author’s advice, but I felt his advice fell short.

The book was enlightening and entertaining, except that it was sad people actually were in some of the predicaments they were in. I would recommend this book, especially to members of the Lord’s church, but with the caveat that the advice should not be relied upon to address a similar situation in your own life. Each situation is unique and requires a unique solution based upon the issues involved.… (mehr)

This is an informative book about authority in the church. The elders have a very challenging job: shepherding the flock. This book contains true accounts (with names changed to protect identities) of problems occurring in the church and how to proceed from a Biblical perspective. There is never an "easy" fix. It also helps members appreciate the elders for doing the right thing, even when it is heartbreakingly difficult.

I hope more people read this book as I think Christians should have a better understanding that the elders do more than just "count heads" on Sundays and Wednesdays. They lead, they counsel, they teach, and they pray.… (mehr)