Dear LWML Leaders,

Below is a Tip for Group Development.

Energize Membership

The very best method to encourage women to join Lutheran Women in Mission is to personally care about each woman in the congregation as Jesus cares for her. Get to know her, be interested in her, share with her, be enthusiastic about LWML, and encourage her to become involved in some aspect of Lutheran Women in Mission with you.

Your positive words and attitudes about LWML energize others!

Some ideas to energize membership include:

New Brides — Have a recipe shower at a meeting. Visit the new bride and give her the recipes and an encouraging Bible verse for the new bride.

Mothers of New Babies — Present mothers with Dear Mother: Devotions for New Mothers

Small Bible Study Groups — Care and share around the Word

• Confirmand Parents Study — for parents during time of students’ confirmation class
• Young Mothers — Provide babysitter for a morning out study
• Working Women — 1/2-hour Bible study at noon — provide drinks
• Prayer and Praise — 7:00–7:30 a.m. for working women

Visitors Packet — Packet of LWML materials given to welcome each visitor at an LWML meeting. The packet could be a file folder, a decorated manila envelope, or a zipper top bag. Contents could include:

• LWML Brochure
• Mustard Seed Devotion
• Group Program Booklet
• List of national and district mission grants
• Lutheran Woman’s Quarterly
• District Publication
• Handwritten note of thanks for being a guest
• Small LWML memento (Examples — Pen, Pencil, Candy, Post-it Notes)
   

Remember, each woman in the congregation will not be involved in every aspect of the Lutheran Women in Mission. Accept her where she is — but continue to challenge and share with her the various areas of LWML.

Be all you can be — an energized Lutheran Woman in Mission serving the Lord with gladness!

Brought to you by the 2023–2025 LWML Group Development Committee
Julie Hatesohl; Cinda Poppe; Jennifer Gierke, Chairman; 
and Arlene Naasz, Vice President of Organizational Resources, Advisory

Dear LWML Leaders,

Confidence in Christian leadership is being grounded in the Word.

Attributes of a Leader

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near (Hebrews 10:24–25).

No two groups of people have the same abilities because they are made up of unique individuals, each with their own set of God-given gifts. God has placed them together to achieve the plans that He has made for them. However, there are certain qualities that can be helpful in every effective leader:

           Listening to and learning from others in your group can bring about meaningful discussion that could turn a good idea into a plan of active service. Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent (Proverbs 11:12).

           Encourage others to use their talents and help channel them to where they are most effective within the group. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

           An agreeable attitude will go a long way in keeping a discussion moving and finding a successful compromise when necessary. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all (Romans 12:18).

           Devote time to prayer. Pray for the guidance God has promised to send, listen for His instructions, and move forward expecting Him to be there with you. Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving (Colossians 4:2).

           Enthusiasm in your service to the Lord will set an energetic example for your group. When your energy is lagging, explain to your group what you are feeling and allow them to serve and support you. Don’t rob them of an opportunity for service. doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, (Ephesians 6:6b-7).

           Rejoice in your role as leader. God has placed you in this position for a reason and He will not abandon you. He has planned your life down to the smallest detail and will walk with you every step of the way. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18).

Pray for and develop as many of these qualities as possible within yourself. Look for other leaders in your group with strong leadership qualities different from your own; mentor them and let them lead with you. Together your group can serve the Lord with gladness.

God's Blessings,

2021–2023 Group and Leader Development Committee Members
Christina Bean
Elaine Engelman
Jennifer Gierke
Brianne Stahlecker, Chairman
Marie Chow, Vice President of Organizational Resources, advisory

Dear LWML Leaders,

Confidence in Christian leadership is being grounded in the Word.

Leaders Have Joy

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. … And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:4,7).

“I have the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart — Down in my heart to stay!” (Little Ones Sing Praise, Concordia Publishing House, 1989, 62). This joyous children’s song is a very good explanation of what Christian leaders understand about joy. It is a fruit of the Holy Spirit gifted to us by God through faith — a part of our daily lives which we share with people around us. But the hard fact is that there are days when we feel robbed of our joy, or we feel guilty because we don’t feel joyful.

How do leaders tap into their joy again? How do they help others around them rediscover joy? They pray for God to reveal His truth about joy to themselves and others in need. They immerse themselves in the Word, finding solace in the promise of baptism uniting them with Christ’s saving grace; nothing can separate us from that gift of faith. They seek out Christian friends and family to walk with them through difficult, joy-robbing times and share with them the peace and joy that comes at the end of those trials.

The renewed knowledge of being a forgiven child of God in all circumstances — happy or sad, easy or difficult, joyful or not — will bring His peace and that peace will guard all our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. His love has put His joy down in our hearts to stay! Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, nothing in the world can take that joy away.

God's Blessings,

2021–2023 Group and Leader Development Committee Members
Christina Bean
Elaine Engelman
Jennifer Gierke
Brianne Stahlecker, Chairman
Marie Chow, Vice President of Organizational Resources, advisory

Dear LWML Leaders,

Confidence in Christian leadership is being grounded in the Word.

He Restores My Soul

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul (Psalm 23:1–3a).

As leaders, part of our job is to help and do things for other people. We might write a letter, send a text/email, give a hug, say a prayer, or help with a project. We are blessed to be called to serve God’s people!

Another part of our job is to make sure we take time to rest and restore ourselves so that we can serve others. Jesus said in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” We need to stop and rest in the loving care of the words of our Lord and give our burdens to Him in prayer. When our souls have been restored, we can once again joyfully serve Jesus and His people.

God bless you with peaceful rest and joyful service!

In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety (Psalm 4:8).

God's Blessings,

2021–2023 Group and Leader Development Committee Members
Christina Bean
Elaine Engelman
Jennifer Gierke
Brianne Stahlecker, Chairman
Marie Chow, Vice President of Organizational Resources, advisory

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near (Hebrews 10:24–25).

Have you ever gone to your mailbox expecting to get bills and junk mail and you found that someone sent you a beautiful card just because they were thinking about you? Suddenly, your heart is happy, your day is brighter, and you feel a connection to that person.

As women in the LWML, we will meet many women as we serve in our various roles. Some we may only see once a year, but others we may see much more often. As sisters in Christ, we all have the common bond of Jesus’ love, and we likely have many more ways to connect if we take the time to get to know each other more.

You could play a “get to know you” game at an event or have question cards on your tables at fellowship. Look for connections with other ladies. Then be the one who sends the card for no reason except that you were thinking of them. This simple act of care and encouragement will have a lasting impact.

And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together (Colossians 1:17). The love of Christ holds us together. Our connection to Him and to each other is what helps us Serve the LORD with gladness! (Psalm 100:2a).

God's Blessings,

2021–2023 Group and Leader Development Committee Members
Christina Bean
Elaine Engelman
Jennifer Gierke
Brianne Stahlecker, Chairman
Marie Chow, Vice President of Organizational Resources, advisory

Dear LWML Leaders,

Confidence in Christian leadership is being grounded in the Word.

Leaders Are Imitators of Christ

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God (Ephesians 5:1–2).

Recently during a children’s sermon, the pastor’s three-year-old son sat beside him, imitating his father’s hand gestures as he spoke and trying to recite his father’s words to the other children present. There was quiet laughter from the congregation, but what a beautiful illustration of the Lord’s words to us from Ephesians. As leaders, we strive to imitate God’s every action, shown to us by our brother and Savior Jesus. We should constantly be aware of opportunities to recite Jesus’ words of love and salvation to all of those around us.

We should also acknowledge that our leadership role brings responsibility with it. Paul says we are to “walk in love” with others around us, just as Christ does with us. Sometimes that journey is one of a mentor — gently advising those who look to us for guidance. Sometimes our stroll is one of teacher — sharing knowledge about our Lord through Bible study and information about our organization and how it works. Sometimes we travel together in the role of servants — washing the feet of those who walk with us and giving of ourselves to others as Jesus would. All these interactions begin, continue, and end with prayer, using words that God has promised to provide so our faith and the faith of those who walk with us may grow and God will be glorified. May we all be a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God!

God's Blessings,

2021–2023 Group and Leader Development Committee Members
Christina Bean
Elaine Engelman
Jennifer Gierke
Brianne Stahlecker, Chairman
Marie Chow, Vice President of Organizational Resources, advisory

Dear LWML Leaders,

Confidence in Christian leadership is being grounded in the Word.

Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds, for riches do not last forever (Proverbs 27:23–24a).

As a leader in the LWML, you have many women who serve the Lord in various capacities under you. Some women will have many responsibilities; others will have fewer. It is wise for you to keep in regular contact with these women. They are the heart and soul of the work of the LWML.

A quick email, text, or phone call to check in to see how things are going in both their personal life and in their work for the LWML is all it takes. You may find out they are struggling with something — or maybe they have a joy to share. Take a few minutes to pray for and with your sister in Christ. She will be encouraged — and so will you!

God's Blessings,

2021–2023 Group and Leader Development Committee Members
Christina Bean
Elaine Engelman
Jennifer Gierke
Brianne Stahlecker, Chairman
Marie Chow, Vice President of Organizational Resources, advisory