A Leader Who Is Faithful Over Time

Hey Group Leaders,

As we wrap up this series of leader emails, I just want to say this again: I’m grateful for you.

You’ve shown up. You’ve opened your home. You’ve prayed for people by name. You’ve taken texts seriously and led conversations that matter. And a lot of what you’ve done may feel ordinary—but in the Kingdom, “ordinary faithfulness” is never wasted.

Why this matters

We live in a world that celebrates highlights—big crowds, big stories, big moments. But discipleship usually doesn’t look like a highlight reel.

Most of what God does in a group happens through:

• consistency
• presence
• patience
• repetition
• time

What faithfulness looks like and why it’s powerful

Faithfulness is more than a personality trait—it’s a spiritual practice. It’s choosing to keep showing up when you’re tired, when people are inconsistent, when growth feels slow, and when you’re not sure anything is “working.”

Here are a few reminders for the road:

• Showing up consistently is a form of love.
  • People don’t remember every question you asked.
  • But they remember that you were there.
• Don’t get discouraged by slow growth.
  • Roots grow before fruit shows.
  • Some of the most important work in your group is happening under the surface.
• Trust is built over time.
  • Trust doesn’t come from one great night.
  • It comes from repeated moments where people realize: “This is a safe place. These people will stay.”
• Your impact is often unseen—but it’s real.
  • A text you sent at the right time.
  • A prayer you prayed when someone had no words.
  • A night you chose presence over performance.
  • Those moments stack up—and God uses them.

When I think about faithfulness, I’m reminded of these verses:

• Galatians 6:9 — “Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up.”
• Luke 16:10 — “Whoever is faithful in very little is also faithful in much…”

Ministry is rarely easy, but there is always a blessing on the other side of our faithfulness.

I know that the semester is quickly coming to an end (official last day May 17th), but I would still challenge you with this question:

What does faithfulness look like for me as this semester finishes and we move into the summer?

Faithfulness might look like:

• staying consistent with a simple rhythms
• reaching out to one person each week
• praying before you lead instead of only “preparing”
• inviting an apprentice to share ownership
• doing the next right thing, even if it feels small

On a personal note, let me just take a moment to apologize for my failure to be faithful in leading our group’s ministry this semester. While we have made some progress, I know that I have been severely distracted with trying to get the Walnut Grove Campus into the new building while also managing the student ministry in Social Circle since Anderson’s departure. I promise that next semester I will be more engaged.

Thank you for leading this semester. You may not always feel effective, but your consistency is helping to form a culture where people can be known, challenged, and cared for.

God uses faithful leaders to build healthy groups—over time.

Grateful for you,

Nathan

p.s. As our church continues to grow, it is imperative that we create more groups where people can connect in a life-giving community. To this end, I want to create a team of men and women that can help provide leadership for our group’s ministry and set the direction for the future. My plan is to have a few brainstorming meetings this summer so we can dream about the future. If you are interested in being a part of this team, please email me back, and I will add you to the list.