Dear Servant Leaders,

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves (Philippians 2:3).

Often, people in charge don’t do a good job. A supervisor might like to dictate your hours and coffee breaks, and what you can and cannot do on company time, but she often doesn’t follow her own rules. Sometimes parents send the message to their children, “Do as I say and not as I do.” But Jesus is not like that. The above-referenced verse from Philippians reminds us of the importance of selflessness and valuing others above ourselves. Jesus not only tells us what to do, He does it Himself first. Let your actions follow the actions of Jesus through your servant leadership.

As you lead, feelings of anxiety or worry might creep into your mind. Uncertainty quickly leads to fear and fear erodes away at faith. Fear can be powerful. In fact, fear is one of Satan's most-used tactics to get us to doubt God. However, the Holy Spirit enables us to overcome anxiety and fear as we remember God’s promises to us in His Word. God is in charge, even when things around us seem out of control! He is our peace, comfort, and guide. He is our Leader!

I recommend “Christian Leaders Bible Study” for spiritual guidance on leading.

Your sister in Christ,
Lucy Servant Leader

Dear Servant Leaders,

And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all” (Mark 10:42–44).

Have you ever thought about the words “servant leadership?” I recently attended a workshop that explored this topic and learned that servant leadership can actually become a way of life. I am learning that my life as a Christian, a friend, a Lutheran Woman in Mission, a parent, or even an employee is really service to my Leader, Jesus Christ. How can I serve others in my leadership roles?

Servant leadership emphasizes putting the needs of others first and empowering individuals to reach their full potential. It is a people-centered approach that flips the conventional understanding of leadership. Instead of leaders focusing on their own ambitions and authority, servant leaders prioritize the growth and well-being of their team members and followers. These leaders demonstrate empathy, active listening, and a genuine desire to help others succeed. They lead by example, encourage selflessness within their team, and foster a culture of collaboration and support. Volunteers are more likely to stay in a group where they feel valued, supported, and challenged to grow.

I encourage you to check out the LWML Bible study, “A Servant Leader.” 

Your sister in Christ,
Lucy Servant Leader

Dear Servant Leaders,

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).

Even though Paul isn’t speaking to leaders, I can’t imagine a more leadership-appropriate message. Church leadership is full of tragedy and triage, one can easily become disheartened. Our perseverance is uniquely tied to our belief that God is already at work alongside us, reconciling the most difficult situations to Himself.

Don't fall into the trap of avoiding things that are beyond your ability. The sooner you see that God is at work through you in your leadership position, the less you will rely upon yourself to accomplish the tasks at hand. As long as you are following the Lord’s guidance, you will begin to see the organization flourish as He uses you in the leadership position.

God's Blessings,

2023–2025 LWML Leader Development Committee
Shari Miller, Chairman
Nicole Knutson
Lois Teinert
Arlene Naasz, Vice President of Organizational Resources, Advisory

Dear Servant Leaders,

And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation (Genesis 2:2–3).

Everybody needs rest. Sometimes we need physical rest from straining muscles and over exertion because there’s always one more thing on the “to do” list. Sometimes we need mental rest from worrisome thoughts about job or health issues, or planning the next event down to the last detail. Leaders understand that God knows our needs and has given us many opportunities and resources for regeneration of body and mind.

Rest is a time for worshipping our Creator and remembering all the gifts He has given us. It begins in the morning when we open our eyes and, in that first moment of consciousness, we thank God for the opportunity to serve Him another day and turn all our plans for the day over to Him. It continues through the day each time we pause in our duties and commitments to pray for those we work with and for, and we ask God to keep us moving forward with His plans. Evening devotions and/or a talk with our loving Father about the highs and lows of the day give us the opportunity to turn all those events over to the Lord so we can fall into a restful sleep knowing God is in control.

The best form of rest comes in the shape of corporate worship where there is restoration through confession and absolution, time to soak our thoughts in God’s Word, be steeped in forgiveness through the Sacraments, and joyfully praise our Lord with other believers in Christ. May God bless your rest and your glad service to Him!

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 Servant Leaders,

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God (Philippians 4:6).

As Lutheran Women in Mission, we know that prayer is a large part of the foundation of all that we do with and through the LWML. We ask God to bless our meetings and programs. We pray for our mission grants and those blessed by them. We pray for each other in good times and in bad.

The Bible assures us that God hears our prayers. And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him (1 John 5:14–15). Because of God’s love for us, we have confidence that we can bring any request before Him — and He will hear it. This doesn’t just mean the small requests, this means the big requests, too. We don’t need to be afraid that we are asking too much of God. Nothing is too much for Him.

Remember the song from vacation Bible school?

“My God is so big, so strong and so mighty
There’s nothing my God cannot do [for you].
The mountains are His
The rivers are His
The stars are His handiwork, too.
My God is so big, so strong and so mighty
There’s nothing my God cannot do [for you].”

We serve a big God, so we can pray the big prayers. Pray for a mission grant goal that feels a little bit out of reach, but with God’s blessing, it can be met. Pray for the lost one to be found. Pray for life to feel less overwhelming, and then trust that it will not be overwhelming. Pray big, dear sisters. Pray BIG.

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen (Ephesians 3:20–21).

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 Lucy Leader,

We have a very supportive pastor who attends our LWML monthly meetings and events.

Are we permitted to make him an honorary LWML member? If not, what title would be appropriate? Does he get a vote at meetings?

Thanks,
Blessed Barb

Dear Blessed Barb,

It is such a blessing to have a pastor who is so supportive of your LWML. Regrettably, you are not able to make him an honorary LWML member or permit him to vote. The bylaws of the LWML state that this organization is composed of individual women and women’s groups within congregations of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. While membership is required for voting purposes, we encourage participation and involvement. If you are still looking for a title for your pastor, feel free to get creative. The national pastoral counselors are called advisory members of the board of directors, and we value their input every day. There is always a need for pastoral counselors at all levels. Your pastor may be interested in being the pastoral counselor at the zone level and continue his support of LWML at a larger scale sometime in the future.

Be sure to tell your pastor how appreciative you are for his support of LWML, his wisdom, and his counsel. You can also show your pastor your appreciation in tangible ways. The Pastor Support and Involvement Ideas page on the LWML website has some great ideas. Continue to invite him to meetings and events. Maybe your group could consider paying for his registration at your next district convention, so he can experience a wider view of LWML.

God’s blessings to you as you continue to engage your pastor,

Lucy Leader

Do you have a question for Lucy Leader?

Write in to depor@lwml.org!

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, advisor

Dear Lucy Leader,

I am new to LWML. I am very confused by many things and there seem to be so many things to learn and understand! I don’t really understand the meaning and purpose of the Mite Box and was wondering if there was a resource that might help me understand.

Thank you,

Confused Corinne

Dear Confused Corinne,

Welcome to the LWML! LWML stands for Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, and we collect mite offerings to help spread the Word of God across the world as Lutheran Women in Mission! The concept of the Mite Box comes from the Gospel of Mark and the tale of the widow putting in two small mites despite this being all she had.

And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on (Mark 12:41–44).

The concept is explained further at lwml.org/mites. There are also many resources to encourage you to pray over mission grant recipients as you place mite offerings in your Mite Box. These resources are available at lwml.org/mission-grants. If you click on a specific grant, the resources for that grant are listed below and you can learn about how mite offerings are being used.

May God guide you as you continue on your journey with the LWML!

Lucy Leader

Do you have a question for Lucy Leader?

Write in to depor@lwml.org!

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, advisor