Leading With Courage and Care 1 Thessalonians 2:1–8

When I think about leadership, especially church leadership, my mind often goes to responsibility, decision-making, and the weight of getting it right. Leadership can feel heavy. It can feel exposed. And, it can feel exhausting, especially at the end of a year like this one. As we close out 2025, a year that has held more than its fair share of challenges, change, and uncertainty, I’ve been reflecting on what faithful leadership looks like in the life of the church. That reflection led me to Paul’s words in 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, a passage often titled Paul’s Ministry in Thessalonica, but one that speaks clearly to leadership and service in the church today.

Paul begins by naming courage. He reminds the community that declaring the gospel required boldness, even in the face of great opposition. Leadership and service are rarely the easiest path. It takes courage to follow God when the road is unclear, when the work is complicated, and when the outcomes are uncertain. Paul also reminds us of what we are carrying. The gospel. Good news. In every expression of discipleship, however it shows up, the message we carry is meant to be good news. When we stay focused on bringing good news to people, our neighbors, and our community, we remain rooted in the mission of God. That grounding feels especially important to remember as we stand at the threshold of a new year.

But Paul does not stop at courage. He moves quickly to building community. He speaks of care, of gentleness, and of sharing not only the gospel of God, but his very life. Leadership, in Paul’s vision, is deeply relational. It is not something done from a distance. It is a shared life. Leadership in the church is never a solo act. It requires trust, prayer, and a willingness to lean on one another. Our Leadership Board embodies this kind of shared responsibility as they steward the life of The Mark with care and discernment. Their work is faithful and often unseen, but it is essential to who we are.

At the same time, this reflection is not only about the Leadership Board, or those whose names appear on church letterhead. It is about the whole community. It is about the people whose service is quiet and consistent, but no less vital to the life of this church. It is about the men who serve our neighbors food, rain or shine, in the heat of summer and the cold of winter. It is about those who welcome members and guests with warm smiles and open hearts on Sunday mornings. It is about those who prepare and serve meals, show up for Freedom School, care for our children, tend to the building, and meet needs before they are ever named.

Every single act of service in this community matters. Each one is an equal and necessary part of who we are. We are sustained not by a few visible leaders, but by a whole body of people who choose, again and again, to show up in love.

As this year comes to a close, I am deeply grateful for every person who serves at The Mark, in ways seen and unseen. May we continue into the new year grounded in courage, committed to one another, and confident that God is at work in every faithful act of love.

Prayer
Gracious God,
We thank you for every person who serves in this community.
For leaders who discern, for hands that serve, for hearts that notice and respond.
Bless the work that is done quietly and faithfully, and strengthen us for the year ahead.
Help us to lead with courage, live in community, and share not only the good news of your love, but also our lives with one another.
Amen.
Written by Jennifer Nelson