About the Author

Pastor Ted Schroeder has served congregations in Illinois, Ohio, and Minnesota. He worked for 16 years in the ELCA Division for Congregational Ministries, for the last five years as director for Christian education. He is recently retired and lives in Plymouth, near Minneapolis, Minnesota.

From the Author

Your leadership is important. We know that leadership in the congregation is a critical factor in how the congregation lives, moves ahead, and accomplishes its mission. Certainly efforts to train leaders by teaching leadership skills are more than worthwhile. But that’s not the end of it. As God’s people we affirm that leadership in the church is different from leadership in politics or business. Leaders out there are put into jobs because they have certain skills. Leaders in the church are invited to do certain tasks because they are chosen. Jesus said and continues to say, “You did not choose me but I chose you. . . .” (John 15:16)

God’s leaders have always been chosen—chosen by God to do the great things by the power of the Spirit. In the church it is not enough to learn a skill or get training. In the church we celebrate the opportunity to lead because God has put us in a place of leadership, consecrated us in the service, equipped us with the spiritual resources we need to do what is set before us, and sent us on our way, guided by the Spirit’s presence. Because we know we are chosen and equipped, we can respond with Isaiah, “Here am I; send me!” (Isaiah 6:8)

Use these devotions, individually or in a group in your congregation, to reflect on what God is doing through you as chosen leaders in God’s church. Each devotion probes Old and New Testament sources to help us celebrate one of the leadership gifts God provides. As we think about and talk about these gifts we can begin to see again how we are God’s leaders because we have been chosen, equipped, and empowered by the God who loves, redeems, and sends us in mission.

May you grow in your vision for leadership, your enthusiasm for the task ahead, and your joy in serving.

Ted Schroeder
Plymouth, Minnesota

About the Artist

Mira Skocka is a freelance artist designer. She lives in Selma, Oregon.  The strong, simple lines of her illustrations complement both the Bible readings and the meditations.  She believes that God's message is strong and simple:  "'Go!' Go and tell.... Go and teach.... Go!"  Contact her by e-mail at artquest@hughes.net