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

Dear Servant Leaders,
Confidence in Christian leadership is being grounded in the Word.

Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety (Proverbs 11:14).

When you start a new leadership role, you are in what is often called a "temporary state of incompetence," faced with having to do the most when you know the least. Being a leader is quite a responsibility, but very much a privilege.

Here are a few guidelines for new leaders:

• Prepare yourself mentally, physically, and emotionally from the time you accept until the time you begin.
• Manage others' expectations of you — leaders above you, your peers, and members of your group or zone.
• Learn the lay of the land and find out how things "really work around here."
• Communicate your story effectively to women inside and outside your group or zone.
• Avoid the traps that confront every new leader such as disrespecting your predecessor, being swayed by “We’ve always done it this way,” or micromanaging your team’s work.

Rejoice in your role as a leader. God has placed you in this position for a reason and He will not abandon you. He has planned your life down to the smallest detail and will walk with you every step of the way. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18).

I recommend “Stay Calm and Transition On” for tips on transitioning between leaders.

Your sister in Christ,
Lucy Servant Leader

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!

Your sister in Christ,
Lucy Servant Leader

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!

Your sister in Christ,
Lucy Servant Leader