Dear Servant Leaders,

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).

I absolutely enjoy connecting with women of my church, zone, and district. Why? For me, it’s learning more about the people around me and sharing more of myself in return. When that happens, I am able to fully support and encourage other Lutheran Women in Mission.

But how do we start the connection process? It is as simple as a warm greeting of the day and an introduction of yourself. It is also being open to a warm greeting and exchanging the same. To connect, try to find a commonality with other women. Offer to pray for or add a personal concern or a family member to a prayer list.

As we follow our Servant Leader, Jesus Christ, let His example be our ultimate guide, as He connected, encouraged, and supported those around Him. As servant leaders, it is so good to connect, encourage, and support those around us. God wants us to share the Good News about salvation in Jesus. What a blessing for the opportunity to spur one another on toward love and good deeds!

Plan to intentionally connect with one or more women in your church, zone, or district each month. Remember to start your connection with a smile and a greeting of the day. For another reminder of the importance of serving and supporting one another, take a look at Working as a Team to His Glory. 

Your sister in Christ,
Lucy Servant Leader

Dear Servant Leaders,

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So, glorify God in your body (1 Corinthians 6:19–20).

I haven’t always made the healthiest choices when it comes to taking care of myself. I notice that prolonged periods of unhealthy choices truly catch up with me and weigh me down. When this happens, I’m not at my best physically nor mentally. I am of little help to anyone! 

As servant leaders, we must take care of the gifts God has given us and glorify Him with healthy choices. As you evaluate your choices, here are a few healthy options to support your physical and mental wellbeing:

• Pray. Pray daily for help with making healthy choices. Your body is a gift from God.
• Get moving. Move for 30 minutes every day in a way that is healthy for you by stretching, chores at home, gardening, a few steps in the backyard, or a walk in the park.
• Set a sleep routine. Set a regular schedule of sleeping and waking up that can work for the entire family. 
• Hydrate. Incorporate water with every meal; spice your water up with ice and a squeeze of an orange or lemon.
• Know your health numbers. Get an annual physical exam with your health professional and monitor yourself with blood pressure cuffs and the like.

We ask God to grant us the wisdom to make healthy choices for ourselves in order to serve others! For tips on improving your overall personal well-being, view Personal Development.

Your sister in Christ,
Lucy Servant Leader

Dear Servant Leaders,

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint(Isaiah 40:31).

Servant leaders do not want team members (and themselves!) to burn out, so look for ways to keep members energized for the task. First of all, the team should look to God’s Word to give renewed strength and encouragement for service, even in times of discouragement or disappointment. Perhaps all members of the team could participate in the same daily Bible reading plan or devotional booklet and then discuss their insights weekly or monthly. Encourage members to journal their thoughts and questions.

Servant leaders:

1. Strive for a friendly atmosphere within the group. They are honest and set an example for team members to be honest as well.
2. Enjoy each person’s uniqueness.
3. Encourage team members to serve where they find enjoyment and can best use their gifts.
4. Motivate, don’t manipulate. Use passion, not position.
5. Keep lines of communication open and encourage questions.
6. Pray to God asking Him to be with the members of your team, keeping them well and energized.

All team members should recharge by doing something they enjoy on a regular basis. Be creative. It can be writing, taking pictures, visual artistry, going for a walk, or just spending a few days with family or a friend.

Read the Leadership Tip: Staying Energized as a Leader for ways to keep yourself energized!

Your sister in Christ,
Lucy Servant Leader

Dear Servant Leaders,

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing (1Thessalonians 5:11).

Do you value encouragement from others? Encouragement from fellow Christians can uplift and give support in the day-to-day activities of life. You can encourage others by sharing your faith in your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, as well as sharing your joy in serving Him.

A servant leader who is an encourager is a real blessing to the team. Out of genuine Christian love, take the time to speak supporting words to your team, especially when they appear to feel lost or unsure of themselves and their capabilities. Take time to pray to the Lord for the encouragement and support you need to give to others.

When we give encouragement, we strengthen the team to continue in service. Team members will feel lifted up and appreciated when compliments are sincerely given. Team members will continue to serve as long as they feel their efforts are accomplishing something, their talents are appreciated, and they are making a difference.

• Set realistic goals that help team members know they are successful.
• Encourage them to serve in ways they enjoy.
• Help develop their gifts once they are given a task.
• Encourage team members to work together.
• Compliment with credibility.
• Show people you enjoy your work. If servant leaders are joyful, others will be encouraged and joyful too! 

See Volunteers in Christ's Ministry for more ideas on how to encourage your team.

Your sister in Christ,
Lucy Servant Leader

Dear Servant Leaders,

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Psalm 119:105).

The servant leader needs to constantly get strength and instruction from God’s Word. The Holy Spirit works through His Word to give the servant leader the confidence and direction for her work.

Each of us finds ourselves in many different leadership positions and roles. The requirements of the leader change depending on the gifts and abilities of the group. Jesus, our servant leader and example, leads us through His Word to the truths of servant leadership and guides us in actions that follow Him.

God’s Word provides answers and direction as the servant leader works with many different personalities and varied gifts and abilities. It can shine light into the darkness of competition and failure. It assures us that we are forgiven in the name and for the sake of Jesus and that forgiveness should be shared with others.

A conscientious servant leader will identify and use daily Bible reading plans and devotions. She will start and close each group time with devotion and prayer. The Word will be her team’s guiding light.

A servant leader lets the Word shine through her words and actions, as the Holy Spirit guides and directs her actions. She looks to Jesus in faith as her leader. The servant leader trusts her Savior to light the path to help fulfill the team’s goals.

Challenge: Join a Bible study group or find a good daily Bible reading plan and immerse yourself in the light of God’s Word!

I recommend the Working Together Bible study to do with your team.

Your sister in Christ,
Lucy Servant Leader

Dear Servant Leaders,

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony (Colossians 3:12–14).

Together: As a Christian, friend, Lutheran Woman in Mission, parent, or employee, each of us finds ourselves as servant leaders on a team. As we serve our leader, Jesus Christ, we want to put others first on the team and model the virtues of compassion, kindness, humility, meekness (gentleness), patience, forgiveness, and love.

Everyone: A servant leader wants to include all members of her team. Each member has her own gifts and abilities that will enhance the team and its work. She will find out those strengths and give each member tasks that are enhanced by her skill sets. A servant leader forgives as the Lord has forgiven her.

Accomplishes: The servant leader needs to make the goals of the team clear so team members can measure their accomplishments. When goals are met and team successes happen, the servant leader will remember to praise and encourage the team for a job well done. She will not fail to give the glory to Jesus, who brought the gifts and talents of the team together and blessed their efforts.

More: It is not the end. The servant leader will challenge her team to new goals and urge them to identify others that want to be a part of the group. As the team grows, so does its accomplishments to the glory of God.

Don’t forget to give all thanks and praise to God for a cohesive TEAM!

I encourage you to start your teamwork with the devotion Working Together in His Strength.   

Your sister in Christ,
Lucy Servant Leader

Dear Servant Leaders,

Confidence in Christian leadership is being grounded in the Word.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1).

Leadership goals are as unique as each of us. They should reflect our unique personality and passions. We arrive at goals via different avenues. But here are steps to goal setting that can guide us.

1. Start and End with Prayer. Prayer is the best way to jump-start the process of goal setting. Thank God for His guidance and leadership in setting goals.

2. Check Your Motives. Take a long, honest look at your motives to make sure you’re going after your goals for the right reasons, and not selfish ones.

3. Think in Categories. Goals can be divided into different categories, such as (1) your home church, (2) charities outside your home church, (3) your own group’s spiritual growth, and (4) your group’s physical health.

4. Be Specific. Goals need to be specific. If a goal isn’t measurable, there is no way of knowing whether it has been accomplished.

5. Write It Down. It has been said, “The shortest pencil is longer than the longest memory.” If you haven’t written down your goals, you haven’t really set them.

6. Include Others. Nothing cements a relationship like a shared goal. Goals are relational glue.

7. Celebrate Along the Way. When you accomplish a goal, celebrate it! One of my favorite Hebrew words is ebenezer. It means “thus far the Lord has helped us.” When you accomplish a God-given goal, it is an ebenezer moment. Feel free to find a unique way to celebrate it and commemorate it.

I suggest “Time Management ~ Manage Yourself, Not Your Time!”

Your sister in Christ,
Lucy Servant Leader