e2 elders

What a great couple of days at Stroh Church of Christ (Hudson IN)! What a team led by Mike Hamm that produced an outstanding three-year strategic plan that keeps Stroh on the MOVE in northeast Indiana and beyond! The Holy Spirit answered our prayers by doing His immeasurably more in and among us. Your future is as bright as the promises of God!

🎧 Great news! These favorite titles are now available as audiobooks!

✅ Answer His Call
✅ Reflect His Character
✅ Lead His Church
✅ Enjoy His People

Whether you're driving to work, taking a walk, or hitting the gym, you can now listen wherever life takes you.

And the best part? Each audiobook is just $10 at www.e2elders.org/shop

Registration is now open for our Disciple Making Summit, where you will be equipped with practical and biblical tools to help others follow Jesus and grow in their faith.

Register Today: tcmi.org/summit

🎉 Celebrating 6 Years of Impact! 🎉

Today, we’re honored to celebrate Debbie Poer, Engagement Director at
e2: effective elders, on her 6th anniversary with our team!

Debbie’s influence has shaped not only what we do, but who we are. Her heart for ministry, service, and prayer has left a lasting mark across our organization and the churches we serve.

As Gary recently shared:

“You have helped us develop a prayer culture, when years ago, you suggested that we pause every day to pray for our partner churches by name. That – and so many other initiatives – have been onboarded here because of your presence. Thanks for saying ‘yes’ to joining us six years ago.”

From fostering a culture of intentional prayer to championing meaningful engagement, Debbie’s leadership continues to inspire and strengthen our mission every day.

Please join us in congratulating Debbie on this milestone and thanking her for six years of faithful service, vision, and dedication to advancing healthy church leadership.

Happy 6th Anniversary, Debbie! We’re grateful for you and excited for all that’s ahead.

What a great weekend UP NORTH in Michigan! Leah and I had a stellar time with Kalkaska Church of Christ . Lead Minister Andy Bratton and team had a tremendous men’s gathering on Saturday to explore Paul’s teaching on spiritual warfare in Eph 6:10-18. And worship of Jesus today was awesome as the parking lot was full and church was packed with God’s people! The Spirit of Jesus is moving in and through all of you to be strong salt and bright light in the upper Midwest! You are a model church for others to follow (1 Thess 1:7). We count it a privilege to serve KCC! Thanks for your partnership these many years. AND enjoy the 1st day of your sabbatical, Andy!

Many thanks to Jamie Wetzel, Dr Weller and their team at Great Lakes Christian College (Lansing MI)! They hosted BOOST, their annual minister’s summer retreat and it was a privilege to be invited to be a part of the gathering. Ministers from Michigan, Indiana and Ohio spent a great Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday together for a time of rest and renewal. Thanks be to God for the great work GLCC is doing in the upper Midwest and we are grateful to the GLCC team for each time e2 is invited to be on campus.

📍 Join an e2: effective elders Next Step Huddle Near You!

Looking for practical conversations, fresh ideas, and encouragement for church growth? e2: effective elders Next Step Huddle Regional Events are designed for everyone—church leaders, elders, staff, volunteers, and anyone passionate about helping their church thrive.

These gatherings are an opportunity to connect, learn, and take your next step alongside others who share a heart for healthy, growing churches.

🏛️ Don't see a Huddle in your area?
Interested in hosting a Next Step Huddle at your church? We'd love to talk! Send a message to [email protected] to start the conversation.

📅 Be sure to follow along as we continue adding new dates and locations across the country.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗿𝘂𝗯𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲.

𝗠𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗛𝘂𝗹𝗹 — True North Church, Fargo, ND

They are part of your formation.

𝗚𝗼𝗱 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. 𝗛𝗲 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝘁.

Most of us have been praying for the difficult person to go away. For the relationship to get easier. For the tension to resolve itself so we can move forward in peace.

But what if the tension is the point?

What if God placed that person in your life not despite the friction — but because of it?

"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." — Proverbs 27:17 (CSB)

Do you know what sharpening actually sounds like?

Grinding. Scraping. Heat. Sparks.

It is not quiet. It is not comfortable. It does not feel like growth while it is happening.

𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲𝘀?

𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵. 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻. 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲. 𝗪𝗶𝘀𝗱𝗼𝗺.

The person who challenges you is doing something comfort never could. The relationship that tests your patience is building something ease never would. The friction you keep trying to avoid is forming the character that your calling is going to demand.

𝗚𝗼𝗱 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲.

𝗛𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺.

Let the grinding do its work.

Proverbs 27:17 / James 1:4 / Romans 8:29