Dear Lucy Leader … Start a LWML Group in Your Church

Dear Lucy Leader,

The church I recently joined has not had an active LWML for years, but I’m trying to revive it. I have two others on board. Any tips for us?

Renee

Dear Renee,

It is very exciting that you want to revive LWML in your church and that you have two women who are already on board. Your very first step is to go to the Lord in prayer. He will guide your steps along the way. 

LWML has resources on the website that are very helpful. The “LWML New Group Welcome Packet” (www.lwml.org/welcome) has information to get you started. Check with your LWML district president to see if your church already has a charter. She can also let you know about zone and district events. She will walk by your side.

Personally invite women to your first meeting. Start that meeting with a Bible study. Don’t conduct too much business. Let the women get to know each other by doing a servant activity together. You can find ideas for service projects here: www.lwml.org/mission-service-activities.

LWML has resources to help let women know what LWML is all about. www.lwml.org/posts/free-resources/lwml-101 is great in explaining the basics of LWML. 

LWML is a wonderful place for women to come together, to grow closer to the Lord, and to serve others joyfully. May God bless you as you bring the joy of LWML to the women of your new congregation!

Lucy Leader

Do you have a question for Lucy Leader?
Write in to the Vice President of Organizational Resources here!

God's Blessings,

2019–2021 LWML Leadership Development Committee Members
Marie McNary
Sherrie Smith
Lois Teinert, Chairman
Marie Chow, Vice President of Organizational Resources, Advisory

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Dear Lucy Leader … Welcoming New People

Dear Lucy Leader,

Our group is meeting in person again and a couple new women have joined. How can we get to know each other and work together as a team?

Wendy Wants to Work Together

Dear Wendy Wants to Work Together,

Praise God that you are able to meet together again! Praise God that you have new women join your group! It is good that you want to help the women get to know each other and work together as a team.

First, remember your bond as sisters in Christ; spend time together in the Word. LWML recognizes the importance of team building and has resources to help with that goal. You can find these resources at www.lwml.org/posts/leadership/team-building-activities.

God will bless your efforts to strengthen your team. 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). 

Lucy Leader

Do you have a question for Lucy Leader?
Write in to the Vice President of Organizational Resources here!

God's Blessings,

2019–2021 LWML Leadership Development Committee Members
Marie McNary
Sherrie Smith
Lois Teinert, Chairman
Marie Chow, Vice President of Organizational Resources, Advisory

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Dear Lucy Leader … Characteristics of a Good Leader

Dear Lucy Leader,

I have just been elected president of my local group. I am very excited to serve in this manner, but I am also nervous. I want to be the best leader I can be. What are the characteristics of a good leader?

Elected Elaine

Dear Elected Elaine,

I thank God that you are excited to serve as president of your local group! Your excitement and passion will be very beneficial in your new leadership role.

The most important thing as you begin your new role is to remain connected to the leader — Jesus. Stay in the Word and in prayer. Ask others to pray for and with you.

Leadership is not only a position to which we are elected or appointed, but it’s also a way of living and thinking. LWML understands the importance of strong leadership and has material that can be used for personal study and learning. These materials will help you to understand what a good leader looks like. You will find these materials at www.lwml.org/posts/leadership/look-of-a-leader.

May God use you to be a blessing to the group you are leading!

Lucy Leader

Do you have a question for Lucy Leader?
Write in to the Vice President of Organizational Resources here!

God's Blessings,

2019–2021 LWML Leadership Development Committee Members
Marie McNary
Sherrie Smith
Lois Teinert, Chairman
Marie Chow, Vice President of Organizational Resources, Advisory

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Dear Lucy Leader … Connecting with a Deaf Woman

Dear Lucy Leader,

Recently a woman who cannot hear became a member of our congregation. I would like to reach out to her and let her know that our LWML cares about her. We would like to involve her in LWML, but we don’t know how. Can you help with this?

Caring Carol

Dear Caring Carol,

It is so wonderful that you want to reach out to a deaf woman in your congregation. LWML has compiled resources to help you to welcome her into fellowship and service with Lutheran Women in Mission. You can find these resources at Deaf Ministry at lwml.org. 

Kaye Wolff is currently the LWML Deaf Ministry Liaison. From her experience, Kaye writes, “The deaf culture is beautiful, funny, and forgiving!” She can be contacted at depsfm@lwml.org.

God will bless you as you invite and connect with your new friend in Christ.

Lucy Leader

Do you have a question for Lucy Leader?
Write in to the Vice President of Organizational Resources here!

God's Blessings,
Lois Teinert, Chairman
Leadership Development Committee

2019–2021 LWML Leadership Development Committee Members
Marie McNary
Sherrie Smith
Lois Teinert, Chairman
Marie Chow, Vice President of Organizational Resources, Advisory

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Dear Lucy Leader … Reaching Out to New Church Workers in Our District

Dear Lucy Leader,

There are new church workers in our district, and we would like to let them know about LWML. Can you give us ideas for how we can reach out to the new church workers in our district?

District President Jan

Dear District President Jan,

Professional church workers and LWML women have so much in common. We are all firmly rooted in God’s Word and want to share Jesus’ love with others. Starting with that common ground, you can welcome the new workers to your district. LWML has a welcome letter ready for your use and a compilation of resources. These are designed for you to engage your local church workers in conversation about what LWML can do for them in their ministry and how they may share in the mission of LWML. These resources are found at www.lwml.org/church-workers-in-mission.

God bless you as you reach out to the new church workers in your district!

Lucy Leader

Do you have a question for Lucy Leader?
Write in to the Vice President of Organizational Resources here!

God's Blessings,
Lois Teinert, Chairman
Leadership Development Committee

2019–2021 LWML Leadership Development Committee Members
Marie McNary
Sherrie Smith
Lois Teinert, Chairman
Marie Chow, Vice President of Organizational Resources, Advisory

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Dear Lucy Leader … Can we form a second group at our church?

Dear Lucy Leader,

I am a young woman and my friends and I are interested in missions and would love to be a part of LWML. Currently the LWML group at our church meets during the day, and we work outside the home, so we can’t attend these meetings. Is it possible for us to form our own group?

Diana

Dear Diana,

I am so excited that you and your friends are interested in missions and would like to be a part of LWML. The answer is yes! You most certainly can form your own group. LWML has clear steps that will enable you to start a new LWML group. You can find those steps and the resources that you need on the LWML website: How to Start a New Group. Remember that the local group should always follow the polity of their local congregation when forming a new group.

It would be good for you to share your enthusiasm and your plans with the current group at your church. At some point, the two groups may be able to plan some joint activities.

May God bless you and your friends as you become involved in serving the Lord with gladness through the LWML!

Lucy Leader

Do you have a question for Lucy Leader?
Write in to the Vice President of Organizational Resources here!

God's Blessings,
Lois Teinert, Chairman
Leadership Development Committee

2019–2021 LWML Leadership Development Committee Members
Marie McNary
Sherrie Smith
Lois Teinert, Chairman
Marie Chow, Vice President of Organizational Resources, Advisory

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Dear Lucy Leader … How can we reach out to a missionary?

Dear Lucy Leader,

The group in our church loves to support missions through prayer and giving mite offerings. We would like to interact more personally with missionaries. How can we reach out to a missionary?

Mission-Minded Martha

Dear Mission-Minded Martha,

You are answering Jesus’ command to make disciples of all nations. Thank you for your support of missions through prayer and mite giving. LWML, as Lutheran Women in Mission, has been actively involved in supporting missions around the world with mite offerings for over 75 years.

A list of LCMS missionaries, their photos, and where they serve can be found at https://international.lcms.org. More resources — including additional LCMS resources — are available on the LWML website.

Missionaries would love to have you as a partner. LWML has a wonderful resource, Care for a Missionary, that will help you experience the joy of supporting and praying for specific needs of that missionary.  

May God bless you as you uphold His missionaries in prayer. May He bless your efforts to reach out to those missionaries!

Lucy Leader

Do you have a question for Lucy Leader?
Write in to the Vice President of Organizational Resources here!

God's Blessings,
Lois Teinert, Chairman
Leadership Development Committee

2019–2021 LWML Leadership Development Committee Members
Marie McNary
Sherrie Smith
Lois Teinert, Chairman
Marie Chow, Vice President of Organizational Resources, Advisory

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