“The quality of the group experience has less to do with curriculum than it does with the group leader.” – Mark Howell
“Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work.” – Apostle Paul (1 Thess.5:12-13)
What a wonderful group of small group leaders God has raised up at Lake City Community Church. This will be the first of a series of posts on leadership, because, well, leadership IS that important to our spiritual life and the mission Jesus gave to His followers.
So, with “post #1” can I ask us all to recognize and pray a moment for our small group leaders by name as we progress into this new semester? Appreciation and prayer is important, because they are doing the work of shepherding difficult people – like me and you! 🙂
Now, who are these fantastic folks who have stepped up to the challenge of leading us spiritually in small groups?
Our Leaders:
- Adam, Dave and Kris
- Ayer, David and Julie
- Bakken, Monty and Sue
- Bundick, Bonnie
- Copp, Tom and Jeanne
- Duriga, Nate and Jana
- Durr, Jeremy and Jodi, & Pritchard, David and Kelli
- Ellis, Chet & Eunice
- Hayes, Bob and Wanda
- Hewitt, Dennis and Michelle
- Hills, George and Cathy
- Johnson, Clint and Tami
- Kolb, Earl and Sue
- Le, Tung and Debbie
- Madson, Randy and Beckie
- Mathews, Chuck and Debbie
- Miner, Dorothy
- Oury, Tony and Niki
- Overstreet, Reg and Sarah, & Banke, Jon and Christine
- Perz, Karen
- Schock, John andShari
- Shaffer, Michael and Roxy
- Smedley, Rick and Judy
- Swenson, Casey and Debbie
- Thompson, Justin and Blythe
- Wesseler, Andy and Marguerite
- Wilkenings, Mark and Kelsey, & Evarts, Jeremy and Hope
- Williams, Duane and Helen
- Williams, Russ and Laurie
- Woods, Jason and Stephanie
Thank you, leaders, and thank you God for them. Bless them, we pray, as they bless us back!
From where does the authority to lead spiritually come? 
What does the Bible say about the AUTHORITY of our leaders? From where does the authority to lead spiritually come? Meditate on each of these points for a minute. (And it’s always good to look up and meditate on the Scripture passages, too!).
- Authority to lead spiritually comes from personal relationship with and imitation of Jesus; from the Christ within the one who leads. More Christlikeness – more authority. (2 Cor. 3:5; 4:7-15; Gal.2:20; Eph.3:16-20; Col. 3:1-10; 1 Pet.2:25).
- Authority to lead spiritually comes from serving (Luke22:26)
- Authority to lead spiritually comes from the respect earned from their quality of life (1 Tim.4:12) and effectiveness in ministry (1 Cor. 2:1-5; 2 Cor. 3:1-3; 1 Pet.2:21; 5:3)
- Authority to lead spiritually comes from meeting the responsibilities of teaching the Word and keeping watch over their followers’ souls (Heb. 13:7 & 17)
- And lastly, authority to lead spiritually comes from actual titles (elder, deacon, small group leader, etc.), which are only to be used with integrity, humility, proficiency and a servant-heart; not abused for power or greed of any sort (1 Peter 5:1-5)
Seek authority from these sources, and you will lead well.
Leaders Group
Leaders, you have heard that it was coming – a new group just for you!
Our new Small Group Leaders Group will kick off Sunday, Feb. 26, 10:50am-12:10pm (during 2nd service). A letter is in the mail to all our leaders describing this “group” in further detail, but essentially, it will be an optional meeting place where leaders can go for encouragement, fellowship, camaraderie and wisdom from other leaders, prayer, stimulating discussion, and much more.
It will meet every 2nd and 4th Sunday morning. Please plan to visit once or twice, drop in occasionally, or come every time. Every session will be a good one!
Blessings on your homes,
Pastor Reg
LC3 Life Blog 