Several of us attended Best Practices for Ministry in Phoenix, Arizona, Thursday through Sunday of this past week. For eight years, Christ Church Lutheran Lutheran Church and School in Phoenix has put on this gathering for people in the ministry of our church. It is to give encouragement, support, fellowship, and provide resources for these faithful workers. It’s to let them know they are not alone. It’s also to spur them on to spreading the Gospel, reaching the unchurched. I think I can answer for those women who were there with me that we came away encouraged and enthused!

LWML—Lutheran Women in Mission were chosen to present on two topics, “Resources on a Budget” about our Christian Life resources and “Money for Missions”, where we went over the submission of mission grants. This was to give help in concrete ways to ministries and churches and to encourage them as they build their outreach. I thank Linda Arnold, Jennifer Huecker, and Debbie Larson for doing the presentations with me. We received many “thank you’s” from grant recipients and got to tell about LWML to many attendees.

Sometimes we do feel alone in our ministry work in LWML, don’t we? It may be discouraging, especially as volunteers in a society where status is conferred often by job titles, pay grade, or celebrity. Don’t be discouraged if you feel overlooked. God knows what is in your heart. He can work through even the smallest things you do to bring about His will for the world. But don’t stop at the small things. Think big! Try something new in your group. Get with your Pastor or lay ministries head and partner with them on a new project to reach the unchurched in your area.

Unfortunately, we talked to many women who didn’t know what LWML was and what we do. They also did not know how to become involved. Would one of those women be from your church? Look around! If you need help or suggestions to build up your LWML, please, please, contact our Vice President of Organizational Resources, Debbie Larson, for suggestions and advice. She can be reached at depor@lwml.org.

Be encouraged and equipped as you engage with your congregations to spread the Gospel message that Jesus Christ is the Savior.

Patti