Dear LWML Leaders,

Confidence in Christian leadership is being grounded in the Word.

But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15).

Defending your faith is not always easy, whether you are a leader or not, but if you have taken time to think about what you are going to say, it may be easier.

A few years ago, LWML introduced a wonderful devotion book entitled Hope Notes (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 2015), written by six former LWML presidents about hope. Reading these devotions can help leaders focus on what kind of defense they can give when asked about the hope that they have in their Lord Jesus Christ. The devotions are uplifting and encouraging and will help each person prepare her heart and mind with words of Christian hope.

Another way to prepare your defense is to actually write it out and practice it. Think of six words that describe your life with Jesus Christ. Write a statement of faith that includes those six words. Practice speaking your faith statement out loud in front of a mirror so you can hear how it might sound to others.

Above all, pray for the Holy Spirit to bless you with the words that your listener needs to hear and have faith that your hope in the saving grace of Jesus shines through with gentle and respectful words. Others will know and understand your sure and certain hope of eternal life, and God will be glorified.

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