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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Dear Lucy Leader … Who Can Be on an LWML Committee?

Dear Lucy Leader,

What qualifications are required of LWML committee members?  

Committee Member Want to Bea

Dear Committee Member Want to Bea,

The first and most important qualification is to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (Matthew 22:37). The next important qualification is to be passionate about LWML and its mission.

Active and energetic committees are necessary for LWML to function at its best. Committee members who are enthusiastic, productive and use their talents and energies to fulfill the purpose of the committee are essential to the LWML. Here is a link to help you understand more about being a member of an LWML committees: www.lwml.org/posts/leadership/committees-an-overview. 

Cooperation among committee members is important in ensuring that the committee accomplishes its goals. Communication is vital. Committees are expected to produce a significant amount of work, and the members should be competent and knowledgeable about the committee’s goals. More is accomplished when members work on assignments between meetings. Being part of a committee that works together to serve the Lord is a rewarding experience.

There are committees on every level and in all ministry areas of LWML. Look for the committee that best matches your passion and skill set. To find out about committees in your local group or zone, contact the president at that level. To learn about committees in your district, check your district LWML website and look for the bylaws. You can also contact your district president. To learn about the committees on the national level, go to www.lwml.org/officers-and-committees.

As a committee member, you play an important role in the success of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League’s mission. Consciously seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance — contributing the specialness that is you — actively fulfilling your committee’s purpose — enriching and enabling each other through mutual accomplishment — that’s how God’s people serve Him in love!

God’s blessings to you as you serve Him!

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 … Juggling Roles in Life

Dear Lucy Leader,  

I am honored and privileged to serve the Lord through the LWML. How do our leaders juggle all their roles as an officer, wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, worker, friend, and neighbor? I understand that God gives me strength and all that I need, but some days I just need some practical advice and the comfort of someone who has mastered it.  

Thank you for helping us all to be better leaders.

Karla

Dear Karla, 

You ask a very good question. Sometimes it may feel like you are trying to juggle too many things at one time. It seems like there is never enough time to finish what you start. LWML has the resource for you! Time Management: Manage Yourself, not Your Time will help you rate the importance of a task, and then it will show you six simple steps to manage yourself. So, set aside a little chunk of time to read this document. You won’t be disappointed!

Time is a most precious resource. Each of us has been given the same amount of time, and you have chosen to use much of your time in serving as a leader in the LWML. We thank God for you! 

Be realistic with what you can achieve in the time allotted. This will help you feel positive about your accomplishments. Prioritize your day. Make a list of activities in order from most important to least important. Focus first on the #1 task on your priority list as you begin your day. Include things you enjoy as well as necessary tasks. Examine your daily routine to discover if you are wasting time with an activity. For instance, are you checking social media more often than you feel you should? Wise leaders know when to say “no” and when to set their tasks aside to listen or help someone in need.

Most importantly, make time in the Word a priority. Take time to go to the Lord in prayer. He will bless your use of the time He has given you.

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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