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