ELCA 2004 Devotional Guide for Congregation Councils and Committees by Stanley J. Meyer Click here for a PDF version--Adobe Acrobat required. Download FREE Adobe Acrobat Reader.
About the Author From the Author About the Artist	Meditations and Prayers January 2004*   February 2004* March 2004* April 2004* May 2004* June 2004* July 2004* August 2004* September 2004* October 2004* November 2004* December 2004*

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About the Author

Stanley J. Meyer serves as bishop assistant for leadership in the Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana Synod and is a licensed professional counselor. He has served as congregational pastor, campus pastor, college dean of community life, and on two synod staffs. A 1974 graduate of Christ Seminary-Seminex, he received his doctor of ministry degree from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Connie, live in Arlington, Texas, and are the parents of three grown sons.

From the Author

AUTHOR'S INTRODUCTION

No longer can membership on a congregation council or committee imply merely an obligation to attend a monthly meeting-if ever it meant just that. Congregational leadership is one of the fundamental building blocks of the Church in mission. It is more crucial than ever before in this church, which is dying to have excellence in leadership.

Leadership must grow out of a profound sense of personal discipleship. Beginning in prayer and humility, it grows in trust and community. It flourishes in vision and urgency, and it is manifest in courage and transformation.

As the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America seeks to plan for its mission into the 21st century, it has called for leadership that is faithful, wise, and courageous. Such leadership will fulfill this church's vision that we be a people who are

· faithful as we gather by God's grace around Word and Sacrament, · wise as we live as a new creation empowered by the Holy Spirit, and · courageous as we proclaim, serve, and strive for justice and peace.

My hope is that the 2004 Devotional Guide for Congregation Councils and Committees will move people to be faithful, wise, and courageous. It is written with the prayer that we will grow by God's grace in discipleship and leadership for the sake of the world that God loves.

Lead with faithfulness, wisdom, and courage,

Stanley J. Meyer

About the Artist

Mira Skocka has studied and practiced art and design in Poland and the United States.  She has done decorative painting and mural restoration in Chicago churches and has been on the staff of the publishing house of the ELCA for five years.