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New every morning is your love, great God of light, and all day long you are working for good in the world. Stir up in us desire to serve you, to live peacefully with our neighbors and all your creation, and to devote each day to your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

"A Liturgy for Morning Prayer," Upper Room Worshipbook

Used by permission from the Book of Common Worship, © 2018 Westminster John Knox Press. All rights reserved. This prayer appears in “A Liturgy for Morning Prayer” in Upper Room Worshipbook.

 

Today’s Reflection

Effective leaders come in a variety of styles with different strengths, but they all understand their style and adopt practices to fit their style to the leadership needs of their team and situation. Some leaders are encouragers, constantly connecting with and cheering on their teams. Some leaders are strategists, with a thousand ideas and contingency plans to help their team achieve its goals. Some leaders are caretakers, making sure all the members of their team have all that they need to fully express their own strengths. Some leaders are drivers, always casting a compelling vision of a changed tomorrow that propels their team into action. There is no single preferred leadership style for a successful planter.

—Bener Agtarap & Curtis Brown, Ready, Set, Plant: The Why and How of Starting New Churches (Discipleship Resources, 2021)

Today’s Question

How would you describe your leadership style? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Since you are ambitious for spiritual gifts, use your ambition to try to work toward being the best at building up the church.
—1 Corinthians 14:12 (CEB)

Prayer for the Week

Holy God, thank you for the opportunity to plant a new faith community. Help me to have wisdom and discernment as I develop relationships with the people in this community. Guide me to stay close to you through prayer and Bible study and to love the people who cross my path. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

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Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

Ascension of the Lord

Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.

4 Comments

  • Julie Posted May 18, 2023 9:07 am

    I used to consider myself a leader, not so much anymore. But I am a nurturer, I help others to achieve their potential.
    Need to go to the grocery store this morning. I am meeting with the flooring company this afternoon. This is a busy week.

  • Ally Posted May 18, 2023 10:03 am

    I have never really thought of myself as a leader. When I worked as enrichment director in long-term care, I tried to be flexible and encouraging to my assistants in order to bring out their best. I could be too lenient, I know. I try to be a nurturer and care for those I interact with.
    David got a referral to our mental health center and his intake and assessments are this morning. I pray he will feel better about himself.

  • Jill Posted May 18, 2023 2:24 pm

    I would not say that I have a leadership role amongst peers. Obviously a teacher is a leader, but in a different way than amongst peers/equals.
    As a facilitator of my small group – my teaching style likely comes through. I am able to throw out questions and draw people into discussion rather easily.
    My school’s baseball team has a playoff game this afternoon. It is beautiful out, so I am going to head home, grab an early dinner and then head to the field. It is at a school district, relatively close to where I live. I have two students who are starters on the team.
    School continues to wind down. Tomorrow is Prom. The seniors had the Prom Promise presentation this afternoon. Continuing to help distribute Prom tickets during the lunch hours.
    I brought in some fresh cut lilacs from my yard – my classroom smells tremendous.

  • robert moeller Posted May 18, 2023 4:11 pm

    I’ve only been a leader when I was teaching and that is a very different type of leadership from what most people understand. Even in my military career, the types of jobs I did were not really leadership positions. I was not in charge of a team, squad, platoon.
    As a teacher my concern was always ways to make learning interesting and to encourage, help students along their educational path.
    The old dishwasher made it to recycling. Had a walk in the woods. My eyeglass replacement lens has arrived. Will go there in the morning.
    More nice weather, a gentle breeze, comfortable temps, and humidity.
    Hope David gets the help he needs, wants.
    Thank You, Lord.

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