Leader Development Resources

One of the main focuses of the Leader Development Committee
is to provide ideas and resources for Member Development.  

Leader Development Chairman.....................Cheri Jones
Leader Development Assistant.......................Christa Vandervort 

Check out the multiple resources available on the LWML website (links highlighted below) 

Leader Development Resources - One of the purposes of the Leader Development Committee is to offer resources to women to discover, develop, and strengthen their unique God-given gifts and therefore participate in a meaningful and encouraging way as a servant leader.

Leadership Development Newsletter - Monthly articles - Growing Your Group & Servant Leader Chat

Leadership Tips: Articles posted from Leadership Development Newsletter (link above)

New Things
(Posted 1/14/2025)

Recently, Lutheran Women in Mission in Bedford, Mass., were faced with a problem. Several of their older members don’t drive at night anymore and weren’t able to come to their long-standing second Tuesday of the month evening meeting. Rather than going with the “we’ve always done it that way” mindset, the group members decided it was time for a change. They revamped their traditional model of evening meetings and moved them all to Saturday mornings or Sundays after church. This change not only allowed those who don’t drive at night anymore to come but also made it possible for some working moms to come and others who lived farther away to stay and join the group after church. They tried out some new activities, too. Faith journaling was a big hit, as was a Zoom Bible study with a favorite leader, Donna Snow, who lives far away.

Change isn’t always easy, but sometimes it is needed.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.
The old has passed away; behold, the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV).

Our God is the God of new things. We are made new because of Jesus. As Lutheran Women in Mission, we have the joy and privilege of sharing this good news with others and trying new things

This is a Great Place to Be
(Posted 10/25/2024)

The pastor at our church opens the weekly worship service with a few announcements. He usually begins enthusiastically with, “Good morning, this is a great place to be!” People are gathered to hear the Word of God, sing His praises, and grow in faith. It is truly a great place to be. 

What about our Lutheran Women in Mission (LWML) group events? Do we enthusiastically proclaim, “This is a great place to be!”? What makes your LWML group events exciting? Perhaps the group has chosen a great Bible study from the LWML website; or maybe this month the group decided to meet at a local coffee house to support a hometown business; or maybe the group will volunteer or donate items for a local nonprofit organization. 

Promoting the event is important as well. It is recommended that you start two to four weeks in advance and publish it in a variety of ways. How can you make the invitation appealing? Did you include a contact person in case someone has a question? Emphasizing it as an event instead of a meeting might encourage more women to attend, and nothing beats a personal invitation. Who will you ask or call?  

As the group leader, it is not expected that you will provide all the enthusiasm. As others are included in the planning and inviting, the enthusiasm should grow — and grow your group — making your LWML event a great place to be, and especially so since you gather with sisters in Christ, and it is He who makes it great! 
 

Equipping the Saints to Serve - Growing Your Group
(Posted:  September, 2024)

Another meeting. Another program. Another … and you’re out of ideas. A farmer knows if the same thing is planted in the same soil year after year, eventually the harvest yield decreases. A practice called crop rotation is done to rest and restore the soil. When this is done, the harvest yield increases. When an LWML meeting becomes routine, the enthusiasm and interest drop and eventually attendance goes down. But never fear, help is here! The LWML Christian Resource Editors produce doctrinally approved materials each biennium to help plan group gatherings.

Group leaders looking for programing ideas can find the 2023–2025 program planner, Equipping Saints to Serve, a great place to start. The planner is found on the LWML website under the tab, The Word/Program Resources or click on the following link - Equipping Saints to Serve 2023–2025 Planner. Featured each month is a theme, Bible study with leader guide, and devotion. The devotion can be downloaded and read or listened to as an LWML On the Go Podcast. The entire 354-page planner can be downloaded and printed or you can print only the portion you need.

To take the routine out of your group event planning and to find a restored enthusiasm, utilize the many program helps found in the 2023–2025 program planner, Equipping Saints to Serve. May the Lord of the harvest bless your efforts.

Are you finding it difficult to keep your local LWML Societies active?
(Posted February - 2024)

CHECK THIS OUT!!!

Our District LWML Board is hoping to help the societies and congregations of our district to enhance and supplement meetings and activities. We especially hope these ideas might encourage you to keep your LWML going even if you can't do a regular formal business meeting.

• Collect mites. Put a mite collection box in a prominent place, make sure everyone has a mite box! Ladies, gentlemen, kids! Once per quarter ask for loose change from folks at the end of the Sunday service to send to mites.
• Host a once a month/week ladies Bible study using LWML resources, Quarterly, Mustard Seeds, etc.
• Get together at Starbucks or other Cafe casually once a month/week. Do a short devotion and just chat.
• For younger gals, maybe a Moms & Tots kind of day. A Bible study, snack & kid friendly activity at church or maybe a library meeting room.

Here are some more ideas from National LWML:

• Throw your church a kitchen shower to replenish kitchen supplies.
• Host a baby shower for a local pregnancy center. Have cake & punch, and invite ladies in your church to bring a baby gift.
• Take an interest poll in your group and invite a guest speaker to come speak to your group.
• Have a baking party and take cookies to the shut-ins/elderly members of your church. Include Bible study in your visit.
• Host a Pinterest Night! Start with a devotion. Take turns selecting a project to complete. Bring snacks and the recipes to share!
• Have a group dinner, either pot-luck or at a restaurant.
• Collect items for Health Care Kits/School Kits/etc., and have a meeting where all you do is construct the kits.
• For a fun summer meeting, go to a snow cone or ice cream parlor for a sweet treat and devotion.
• Book a party at a canvas or ceramic painting place.

We hope this will give you some good thoughts/ideas on how to preserve and
reinvigorate your LWML society.