Dear Lucy Leader … Implementing a New Event

Dear Lucy Leader,

I have an idea for a new LWML event.  Whose permission do I need to proceed?

Thank you,
Pam Planner

Dear Pam Planner,

It is wonderful that God has given you a new idea and that you are willing to work to make something new happen.

Always begin in prayer. Then share your idea with your local group president. Together, check with your pastor and ask for his prayer.  Encourage him to join you in your new endeavor as you share your heart for Christ in spreading the Good News with others around the world. Let your pastor know that you praise God for him and his dedication in proclaiming His love with those around him.

LWML has primary focus statements that are well written and carefully thought out. These statements will support you as you step out in faith.  

The primary focus statements for LWML in 2019-2021 are:

• Nurturing Faith in Christ. By God’s grace, we offer each woman opportunities to be in the Word and to use her unique gifts in God’s service.

• Making Our Faith Meaningful. We equip each woman to make a significant difference in the lives of all people.

• Sharing Encouragement. We value each other in Christ and we accept and encourage each woman to grow in her relationship with others.

You can find these statements at www.lwml.org/who-we-are.

May God bless you as you serve Him! May He use your event to further His kingdom!

Lucy Leader

Do you have a question for Lucy Leader?
Write in to depor@lwml.org!

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 … Encouraging Participation

Dear Lucy Leader,

Our LWML group has not been active in the last few years. I’m trying to encourage participation in the overall mission of the LWML with minimal business meetings. What kind of resources does LWML offer that can serve as an encouragement for those on the fringes of the organization but willing to be supportive of the work of the LWML?

Befuddled Leader in Baltimore

Dear Befuddled Leader in Baltimore,

Thank you for seeing the value of LWML and trying to encourage participation in your LWML group. Let me suggest that you begin by sharing some basic LWML facts. LWML’s vision statement says:  

The LWML is the leading group for LCMS women where each woman is welcomed and encouraged to use her unique God-given gifts as she supports global missions and serves the Lord with gladness.  

LWML has primary focus statements which will help give your group direction. Nurturing faith in Christ, making our faith meaningful, and sharing encouragement are those primary focus statements. Learn more about these statements and what LWML really is at www.lwml.org/who-we-are.

After the women know what LWML is all about, LWML has resources to help your group be active. www.lwml.org/program-helps-devotions is a wonderful resource that will give you Bible studies, devotions, mission service projects, ice breakers, and featured mission grants.  

If your meetings include prayer, Bible studies, and mission service projects, they will not be seen as business meetings. Refreshments always help!

Be sure to go to the Lord every step of the way. He will bless your efforts!

Lucy Leader

Do you have a question for Lucy Leader?
Write in to depor@lwml.org!

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 … Finishing Your Leadership Role

Dear Lucy Leader,

I’ve enjoyed serving as a leader but it’s time for me to serve in another way.  Do you have any tips on what I should tell my successor?  

Departing Donna

Dear Departing Donna,

Thank you for serving as a leader in LWML. And thank you for recognizing the importance of a smooth transition between you and your successor.

First of all, thank and praise God for the opportunity to serve Him. Make updates to your files. Clean house – don’t pass on things the new leader will not need. Meet with the new leader to make sure she understands the position and assure her that you will be there as a servant, resource, and mentor. Go over the files with her so she has a general understanding of the information you passing to her. And most importantly, pray for and with the new leader. You can find more details at www.lwml.org/posts/leadership/stay-calm-and-transition-on.

Thanking God for your leadership,
Lucy Leader

Do you have a question for Lucy Leader?
Write in to depor@lwml.org!

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 … Staying Involved During a Pandemic

Dear Lucy Leader,

How can I stay involved in LWML during this pandemic?  

Isolated Izzy

Dear Isolated Izzy,

The first and foremost thing you can do is pray. Prayer is a very important part of the life of the LWML. Pray for the women in your local group and your zone and district leaders. It is very important to pray for our LWML grant recipients. You can find this list and a little about each grant at www.lwml.org/mission-grants. You can find the list of your district grants on your district website. Remember to support those grants financially by prayerfully continuing mite contributions as you are able.

Prayer is vital and praying individually is a good thing. Praying with other people is another blessing. Consider asking your church’s group to pray with you at 3:16 every day. This time keeps us focused on John 3:16 which is fundamental to our faith. Sharing prayer requests with each other encourages bonding among us. 

Study the Bible with your LWML group. Hold each other accountable. Have phone conversations or video conferences about what you are studying. Find free downloadable LWML Bible studies at www.lwml.org/bible-studies. Read the Lutheran Woman’s Quarterly together. 

You can find ideas for activities you can do while you are at home at www.lwml.org/mission-service-activities. This link provides guidelines and directions for making masks, marking Bibles for prisons, and other ideas.

Stay connected with LWML women all over the country on LWML’s Facebook page Lutheran Women in Mission -- LWML. I am very excited to tell you that Donna Snow is leading a Facebook Live Bible study on Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. Central Daylight Time through June 2, 2020. Donna has the gift of making the Word come alive in her LWML Overflowing Abundance Bible Study. A wonderful thing about this is that you will be studying the Word with more than 700 people from around the U.S. You will experience a special fellowship as you see the comments of many of your fellow viewers. Non-Facebook users will be able to download the study a day or two after each Tuesday event at www.lwml.org/bible-studies.

We are certainly living in challenging times. Yet Christ is still the Lord of all. We are still His church and we can find new and different ways to come together to serve, pray, and be inspired. May He bless you as you remain involved in LWML!

Lucy Leader

Do you have a question for Lucy Leader?
Write in to depor@lwml.org!

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 … Getting Involved Without Overscheduling

Dear Lucy, 

My name is Caitlin and I am a Young Woman Representative from the Northern Illinois District. I could use some advice on the new role that I have been given. I want to find ways to become more involved with my district and church. I always have new ideas and feel the call to become more involved. However, I have a very hectic schedule outside of the church and am often very busy. How can I stay active within the community AND not become so overwhelmed or overscheduled? 

Warmly, 
Caitlin

Dear Caitlin,

I thank God for you! It is wonderful that you want to become more involved in your district and church.

Finding time to do everything one wants to do is a challenge many women face. LWML has a resource that will help you manage yourself — not your time. Hopefully, you will be able to find the time to look at the resource found at www.lwml.org/posts/leadership/time-management.

Another resource that takes a little less time to read is www.lwml.org/posts/leadership-tips/using-gods-gift-of-time. This resource will give you some tips to help you manage the time God has given to you.

Be sure to take the time to go to God in prayer. Be willing to follow His direction. He will bless you and your time!

Serving Him,
Lucy Leader

Do you have a question for Lucy Leader?
Write in to depor@lwml.org!

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 … Are Officers Needed?

Dear Lucy Leader,

Does a women’s church group need officers to be classified as an active LWML group in their district?

Leaderless in New Jersey

Dear Leaderless in New Jersey,

You ask a good question. The answer to your question depends upon the needs of the women involved. The very minimum requirement is to have a contact person that can keep the information flowing between the local group and the zone, and thus between the local group and the district. This person’s responsibilities include keeping members informed of, and encouraging participation in, LWML activities and submitting mite offerings to the designated LWML district financial officer. Larger groups generally have a chairman, a secretary, and a treasurer who have specific assigned duties. Some groups may decide to work with coordinators instead of officers.

LWML groups may be structured in different ways. To learn more about LWML structure, go to www.lwml.org/posts/handbook-resources/group-structure. To learn about specific officer guidelines, go to www.lwml.org/officers-and-committees.

The important thing is to keep Christ as your leader. May Christ bless you and your work!

Lucy Leader

Do you have a question for Lucy Leader?
Write in to depor@lwml.org!

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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