The congregation appointed seven new elders the week after Ronnie White left, bringing the total to twelve. Until then the elders had functioned as overseers of the congregation. Mark Henderson states: "That group was soon influenced by Lynn Anderson, who was invited to Quail Springs to help prepare the leaders for the transition period following White's resignation. Anderson's teaching called the elders to a paradigm shift from a decision-making board to a group of shepherds. ... They embraced Anderson's shepherding model, but the change in leadership style created tension. During the next three years, that tension continued to build."*
*Henderson, Robert Mark, "Leadership and the life of God: distribution of ministerial gifts and leadership practices at the Quail Springs Church of Christ" (2004), thesis presented to ACU, page 23.

In January of 2000 five more elders were appointed. The elders continued to meet twice each month to make leadership decisions for the church. This caused conflicts with the ministry staff who felt they should provide the leadership and that the elders should limit their activities to caring for the spiritual needs of the flock.

Lynn Anderson