Walk by Faith: Lead Courageously – “Don’t Forget to Tie Your Shoes” (Part VI)
Sermon Title: Walk By Faith – Lead Courageously: “Tie Your Shoes”
Good News Statement: Jesus invites his church to change lives
Summary: The Church has been called by Christ to love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously.
Preached: Sunday, May 24th, 2026 at Dogwood Prairie UMC & Seed Chapel UMC
Pastor Daniel G. Skelton, M.Div.
Scripture (NRSVUE): Joshua 1:5-9 Today’s scripture passage comes from the beginning chapter of Joshua which reminds us on several occasions, as we become courageous leaders, to be “strong and courageous.” Our scripture reading comes from the Book of Joshua Chapter One, Verses Five thru Nine. May the hearing and understanding of this scripture add a blessing to your life.
5 No one shall be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall lead this people to possess the land that I swore to their ancestors to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to act in accordance with all the law that my servant Moses commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, so that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to act in accordance with all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall be successful. 9 I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Psalm 27
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When evildoers assail me to devour my flesh—my adversaries and foes—they shall stumble and fall.
3 Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war rise up against me, yet I will be confident.
Psalm 27:14
14 Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!
Proverbs 3:5-8
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
8 It will be a healing for your flesh and a refreshment for your body.
Galatians 5:22-23
22 By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control….
This is the Word of God for the People of God; And all God’s people said, “Thanks be to God.”
Introduction:
On May 1, 2025, The Council of Bishops of the United Methodist Church announced the unveiling of a new vision statement for the United Methodist Church. According to the article published on the United Methodist Bishops website, “This vision reflects the Church’s deep commitment to embodying God’s dream for the world.”[1] This vision statement complements the Church’s longstanding mission statement, inspired by Matthew 28:1-20: “The mission of The United Methodist Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” “This new vision is not simply a statement or a plan, it is a catalyst for transformation,” said Bishop Tracy Smith Malone, President of the Council of Bishops. “It is a vision that will help the Church embrace the opportunities before us, to follow where God is leading us, and to more fully engage in our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”[2]
The new vision statement is as follows: The United Methodist Church forms disciples of Jesus Christ who, empowered by the Holy Spirit, love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously in local communities and worldwide connections. The vision encourages United Methodists to embody the following principles: We are called to love boldly[3] which invites us to passionately love God and, like Jesus, embrace and include people of every age, nation, race, gender and walk of life; to serve joyfully[4] by serving with a Christ-like heart, journeying alongside the most vulnerable, and offering care and compassion with joy; and to lead courageously[5] by resisting and dismantling all systems of evil, injustice, and oppression, striving for peace, justice and reconciliation. Simply put, the vision of the United Methodist Church is to love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously.
Did you know that the United Methodist denomination has a vision statement? Many of us are probably aware of the denomination’s mission statement—“to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world”—but did you know that we now have a vision statement that outlines goals, desired impacts, and lays forth the inspiration to better and more fully live out, by faith, the message—the Good News—of Jesus Christ? If you weren’t aware, you are not alone. Thousands of people weren’t aware; but as of today, millions are beginning to live these words out in their churches, in their communities, and in their lives. So, today, we are challenged to do the same! We are called to love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously as we make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. What does this look like in your life?
Body:
Two weeks ago, while giving praise and recognition to the Mothers and Mother-like-figures in our life, we began diving deep into the vision statement of the United Methodist Church. The first call of action of the vision statement invites us to “love boldly.” To love boldly is to love others the way Jesus loves you. To love boldly means doing what you can to show care and compassion to those in your life. To love boldly calls us to demonstrate a sense of love, according to the Apostle Paul, that “bears all things, hopes all things, believes all things, and endures all things” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8). And sometimes to love boldly means to simply be present with whomever God places before us. Jesus loved boldly in all that he did and with everyone he was with.
For example, the blind beggar received sight because Jesus loved boldly. The paralytic man walked again because Jesus loved boldly. The demon possessed man living in the tombs outside the city walls and feeding off the food brought to honor the dead was released from sin and welcomed back home because Jesus loved boldly. The daughter of Jairus, the son of a widow, and Lazarus were brought back to life because Jesus loved boldly. The woman who had been bleeding for twelve long years—rejected by numerous doctors, spending most, if not all, of her money—was mended because Jesus loved her boldly. The disciples were called to follow Jesus, leaving their current situations behind, because Jesus loved them boldly. Peter became the rock after many failures because Jesus loved boldly. Paul, once a persecutor of Christians, was converted to save Christians because Jesus loved boldly. Your sins have been forgiven, your chains are no more, and your trials have been turned into triumphs because Jesus loves you boldly. You are here today, no matter how your past has been, no matter the setbacks, no matter the scars and fears, no matter the pain and struggle, no matter the doubt and uncertainty, because Jesus loved and loves you boldly. Jesus loves you boldly and all he had to do to prove that was to show up in your life just like he showed up for everyone he healed and saved. Church, loving boldly doesn’t have to be hard. Sometimes, it simply requires us to show up for those who need to feel loved.
Last week, we focused on the second call-to-action of the vision statement: “serve joyfully.” To this, we found ourselves reading from 1 Thessalonians 1:4-8. In his epistle (or letter) to the Thessalonians, Paul highlights the source, the means, and the effect of serving. First, our source of serving comes from the scriptures, specifically from the acts of Jesus Christ, who repeatedly demonstrated the importance of what it means to serve and not be served (Mark 10:45) as he came “to proclaim good news to the poor… to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free…” (Luke 4:18; Isaiah 61:1-2). Second, the means to serving (or the why we serve) is found in 1 Thessalonians 1:6-7: “You became imitators of us and of the Lord…as you became a model to all the believers…” The reason we serve as followers of Christ is to become imitators of Christ for those in the world: to demonstrate kindness, love, and hospitality to those in a time of need and to give food to the hungry, drink to the thirsty, clothes to the naked, to take care of the sick, visit those bound to a certain place, and welcome in the stranger. We serve to imitate Christ with hopes of changing someone’s life. And lastly, the effect of serving is to lead others to Christ, or, as was demonstrated by our volunteers last week, to help keep the hands raised of those who are ready to let their hands drop because they feel like giving up, because they feel as if the enemy is winning.
To the act of serving joyfully, I asked, “As a church, what can we do?” Are their people we could be helping? Are there organizations that need our support? Maybe there is someone in our own congregation with their arms raised that needs our help but we haven’t noticed? Are we too blind to see the hands being raised? Jesus saw every hand that was raised… can we at least see one?
Now, today, we turn our attention to the third and final call-to-action of this vision statement, which calls us to “lead courageously.” What does it mean to lead? What does it mean to be courageous? And when combined, what does it mean to lead courageously? Are you a leader? Are we a church that is willing to lead? To help us answer a few of these questions, we find ourselves embodying the words of Joshua, the very Joshua that we learned last week, needed the help of Moses to defeat the Amaleks. Let’s begin…
Movement One: What Makes a Good Leader…
Doing a quick Google Search, I came across a list of “20 of America’s Greatest Leaders in History.” Don’t worry, I won’t name them all! According to this list, “The United States of America wouldn’t be [what it is today] if it didn’t have a history of great leaders; and keep in mind these leaders weren’t perfect and didn’t always have the right answers, but they were willing to lead a change. In no particular order, this list from History Snob, highlights the following leaders: John F. Kennedy, who established the Peace Corps; Benjamin Franklin, who, among his many achievements, was instrumental in drafting the Declaration of Independence; Susan B. Anthony, who was a pivotal leader in securing voting rights for women; Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act; Harriet Tubman, a leader of the Underground Railroad, who made roughly 13 missions to rescue slaves; Martin Luther King, Jr., a prominent civil rights leader; Clara Barton was a nurse during the Civil War and would go on to found the American Red Cross in 1881; George Washington, the first Commander-in-Chief (president) of the United States; and Abraham Lincoln, who led the Union to victory during the Civil War while also issuing the Emancipation Proclamation and establishing the Department of Agriculture. There have been many, many, many, more historic leaders in our almost 250 years as a nation that have helped shape who we are today.
Each of these leaders did something that changed history. They set goals to achieve their beliefs. They fought many battles, faced many challenges, and were ridiculed countless times. They pursued what would not just gain followers but would make leaders for tomorrow. And although each of these leaders did something different, they all had something in common. They had what many scholars call “effective leadership.” Using artificial intelligence to define “effective leadership” it is a “dynamic blend of emotional intelligence, strategic execution, and interpersonal influence.” Within each of these leaders, according to the Center for Creative Leadership, there is an effective leadership built upon several common characteristics, such as: integrity and trustworthiness, effective communication, empathy and self-awareness, resilience, empowerment, and vision and decisiveness.[6] Drawing upon former President Abraham Lincoln, he demonstrated integrity and trust by being honest with the people, he was an effective communicator—speaking to the people and not above them, he demonstrated empathy for those mistreated and was aware of his moral beliefs often attending New York Avenue Presbyterian Church and sitting in the back of the sanctuary to remind himself that God is the ultimate leader, he showed resilience by not giving into the enemy but remaining strong to the principles of freedom, he empowered people to rethink the ways of old, and he established a vision for the nation that signified freedom and unity.
Abraham Lincoln, as well as those mentioned and many more, are not the only ones who portray effective leadership characteristics. Many in scripture portray the same thing. Moses led with integrity and trustworthiness as he guided the people to the Promised Land by being honest with the people and helping them change their ways. King Solomon was an effective communicator through the wisdom that God gave him to help lead the people in God’s ways. Queen Esther showed empathy, risking her life, to protect her people from being annihilated. King David was resilient, going from a shepherd boy to fighting Goliath to becoming a “man after God’s own heart” as he united tribes of Israel. The Apostles Paul and Peter, being empowered by the Holy Spirit, formed the foundation of the early church as the church grew by the thousands. And we can’t forget about Jesus, who exhibits all these characteristics and many more, had a vision of servant leadership centered on love, humility, grace, forgiveness, acceptance, and sacrifice.
There are so many more biblical characters that I could mention. There are so many more historical figures that I could mention. But the one leader I want to focus on now is you, the church. Church, whether you believe this or not, you are a leader. You are also a follower. But you are a leader who is leading courageously. You are a follower of Christ but also a Christian Leader. Let me explain. Let’s see what scripture tells us about being a leader.
Movement Two: Scriptural Leadership…
Our text this morning comes from Joshua 1:5-9. Again, this is what is says, “No one shall be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous, for you shall lead this people to possess the land that I swore to their ancestors to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to act in accordance with all the law that my servant Moses commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, so that you may be successful wherever you go. This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to act in accordance with all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall be successful. I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:5-9).
Moses had just passed from the scene. He had an illustrious ministry in leading the Israelites out of the land of bondage, and through 40 years of trials and blessings in the wilderness to the Promised Land without even getting the chance to step foot into the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 34:1-7) himself. Now Joshua has become the new leader of the people. Joshua, who had been mentored and groomed by Moses, was being raised up to take Moses’ place in the leadership of Israel: “Joshua son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, because Moses had laid his hands on him; and the Israelites obeyed him, doing as the LORD had commanded Moses” (Deuteronomy 34:9).
The first chapter of Joshua is filled with God’s wonderful promises to the new leader and to the remaining Israelites. But the thing is, is that Joshua and the people had to “be strong and courageous.” They had to realize what it meant to be a leader. In verse 2 Joshua writes, “Moses, my servant is dead. . .” The old era had passed. Moses had lived out his days. A new leader was on the scene, and it was the responsibility of the Israelites to transfer their allegiance to Joshua. He was now in the driver’s seat. Church, leaders will come and go: history keeps record of this and within the United Methodist Church; pastors are moved from church to church. Having a new leader sit in the driver’s seat is nothing new. Jesus walked this earth demonstrating what a leader should do, but when he ascended to heaven, he transferred his leadership to those who were once followers, giving rise to a new set of leaders committed to growing and shaping the church; like Moses did with Joshua and like Elijah did with Elisha when Elijah placed his cloak upon Elisha before ascending to paradise in a chariot of fire (1 Kings 19). This Church is filled with current leaders but it is also filled with future leaders who currently fill our pews with joyful noises and say random things and who are found running to the playset after service.
Verse two continues “. . . arise, go over this Jordan. . .” Just because a leader arises doesn’t mean things will get easier. Certain times of the year, the Jordan was swollen out of the banks. The waters were treacherous during those times. Church, as a leader, God does not always lead us to places that are convenient or comfortable, to places also neatly fit within the banks. He doesn’t always lead us to places we want to go. He doesn’t always lead us to things we want to do. He doesn’t always lead us toward people that we would typically invite to sit at our table. Sometimes He leads us through troubled waters: to places He needs us to go, to do things He needs us to do, and to people that He needs to connect with. It is not going to be easy to be a courageous leader for God, especially when we keep encountering moments that we can’t control, that continually spill over the banks. But yet, as we learned last week, God has chosen us to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ on this earth.
It is not going to be easy, though, to cross the “Jordan River.” This is probably why we read in verse three, “Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, as I promised to Moses.” Those promises are yours for the taking. They are already realized in the mind of a Sovereign God. He didn’t bring you this far to leave you. He has a glorious, wonderful plan for you: “The steps of a good man are ordered of the Lord”. God will order your steps. Church, if we want to be a courageous leader for those inside these walls and outside these walls, both the young and the old, we must let God guide our footsteps. We must be willing to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6). To trust the Lord with all your heart, means to cherish the words of Psalm 27, often titled “David’s Triumphant song of Confidence,” “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers assail me to devour my flesh—my adversaries and foes—they shall stumble and fall. Though an army encamps against me, my heart shall not fear; though war rise up against me, yet I will be confident… Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!” (Psalm 27:1-3, 14). When we allow God to guide our footsteps, our confidence over the enemy will prevail and our heart shall not fear. When our heart no longer fears, we become a leader of Christ that is “strong and courageous.”
“Be strong and courageous” is a phrase that is mentioned nine times in the Bible—eight in the Old Testament and once in the New Testament. In Paul’s closing statement to the people of Corinth, he states, “Keep alert; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13). While discussing the conflict of Nations, Daniel inserts words of heavenly power to King Cyrus of Persia, “Do not fear, greatly beloved; you are safe. Be strong and courageous!” (Daniel 10:19). In both 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles the authors motivate their listeners with these words, “Be strong, and let us be courageous for the sake of our people and for cities of our God…” (2 Samuel 10:12 & 1 Chronicles 19:13). Finally, as we heard earlier, Joshua, reminds all of us on five different occasions, to “be strong and courageous” (Joshua 1:6, 7, 9, 18, & 10:25).
But what does it mean to “be strong and courageous”? Some of us are okay with just following and not being a leader because we don’t feel strong and we don’t feel courageous. We are the cowardly Lion from The Wizard of Oz: not believing in ourselves. We are okay with being told what to do, where to go, and what to say; and when someone says jump, we say how high. But Church, if I can be honest with you, we can’t grow if we only remain followers. At some point, the church is going to need leaders to push it forward. But how? According to the Cultivate Leadership Institute, Christian Leadership is based upon five actions: service, humility, accountability, leading by example, and compassion.[7]
First, to be a strong and courageous leader, we are called to portray an act of service. Jesus exemplified this when He washed the feet of His disciples, teaching that the greatest among them would be the one who serves (John 13:1-17). A Christian leader seeks to serve others rather than be served. A Christian leader who serves others helps foster an environment of trust and mutual respect. Church, when we choose to be in service, we are essentially showcasing what it means to be a leader: to be someone who is willing to help those in need.
Second, to be a strong and courageous leader, we are called to portray an act of humility. In Philippians 2:3-4, Paul instructs believers to “do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.” A humble leader acknowledges their own limitations and is open to learning and growth. They do not seek personal glory but work for the common good, consistently pointing back to God as their strength and guidance source. Church, to be a courageous leader means to be humble. We aren’t placed on this earth to seek to outdo each other nor to boast about our achievements. We are here to lead with a humble heart that puts others first, which means at times that instead of walking in front of those in need, we walk with and behind those in need.
Third, to be a strong and courageous leader, we are called to portray an act of accountability. Being accountable means admitting mistakes, seeking forgiveness, and correcting course when necessary. It also involves holding others accountable, not in a spirit of judgment but in a way that encourages growth and development. Church, our mission is not to put others down but rather to build them up. Our mission isn’t to ignore our mistakes, but embrace them and learn from them. Our mission is to seek forgiveness when we miss an opportunity to help others. Our mission is to be leaders who encourage growth.
Fourth, to be a strong and courageous leader, we are called to portray an act of leading by example. Jesus’ life was a model of how to live in obedience to God’s will, and Christian leaders are called to emulate this example in their daily actions. Simply put, to be a strong and courageous leader, do what Jesus would do.
And lastly, to be a strong and courageous leader, we are called to portray an act of compassion. At the heart of Christian leadership is love. Jesus commanded his followers to love one another as he loved them (John 13:34-35). A Christian leader embodies this command by showing genuine care and compassion for those they lead. At times, a leader will need to be stern, bold, and blunt. However, a leader must also be willing to offer compassion, empathy, sympathy, grace, and love. From compassion, we can say that leading courageously echoes the Fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
The more I think about these characteristics and what it means to lead courageously, the more I contemplate the idea that leading courageously is more than holding a staff and splitting the Red Sea, more than defeating Goliath, more than watching the walls of Jericho come tumbling down, more than facing the enemy, more than being the one leading the brigade into battle, and more than making it through the wilderness, more than making water come forth from the rock, more than making it rain manna from the heavens, and more than turning water into wine: it is about following those who you are leading. To be a courageous leader we must learn to follow.
When we follow, we place ourselves among the people. When we follow, we tend to listen more intently to the needs of those whom we are leading. When we follow, we understand the struggles and challenges of those in our care. When we follow, we remind ourselves that we are still learning to be a leader. Even as a Pastor, although you see me as a leader, I am a follower: a follower of you and a follower of Christ. Leading courageously suggests that you are also willing to follow.
Movement Three: Tie Your Shoes…
Let me explain. Twelve years ago, on a football field with 235 high school seniors, I sat on a metal chair listening to the commencement speaker, waiting anxiously to receive my high school diploma. I don’t remember the speaker’s name nor do I remember everything that they had to say. But what I do remember was this strange but meaningful sentence: “Before you leave your house, remember tie your shoes.”
Easy. I learned to tie my shoes when I was in preschool. Today, I own a pair of Sketchers slip-ons! I didn’t think much of the speaker’s words until I related it to be a leader. As a leader, if our shoes aren’t tied, we will continue to trip over the laces causing us to stumble, causing us to not be as effective as we could be. And as a leader, if we began the day tying our shoes but ended the day feeling defeated and worn out from the challenges, at least our shoes were tied giving us the reminder that at least we accomplished something. I shared this with the Oblong class of 2022 and today, I want to share it with you from a different perspective.
Church, sometimes we go into things with our shoes untied: thinking we have everything in control, believing that we don’t need any help, but sooner or later the laces will cause us to stumble. Sometimes, we embark on a project, a mission, a task, wandering if this is the right thing—not fully believing in what is before us. We do things thinking our faith is strong only to realize that it isn’t, that it’s loose. Our faith can’t grow if we continue to have untied shows. Our church can’t grow if we are continually tripping over laces. Our church can’t create followers if it isn’t willing to lead and focus on small accomplishments. We will make mistakes as a church, but in those mistakes I hope we realize the small achievements, the leaps of faith that we have taken. I hope we consider the importance of tying our shoes: of believing in what God is calling us to do.
And I understand that even when we tie our shoes, sometimes our laces will become untied. It happens. It’s a secret trait of shoes companies to help us reminder how to tie our shoes. (I tied my shoes with several knots as a kid to make sure I didn’t have to keep tying my shoes!) We will make mistakes, we will fail, we will do something that doesn’t work, we will attempt something on paper but not actually do it, we will do something with confidence but lose confidence as challenges, and struggles, and unpredictable situations come our way. Church, we will start something with our shoes tied but then realize that our laces have come undone or maybe frayed or maybe worn out because we have tied our shoes so many times. Being a courageous leader isn’t about being perfect or creating a perfect situation for your followers: no one that I mentioned, except for Jesus, was a perfect leader—they all made mistakes. Moses created excuses, David committed adultery, Peter sank in the water, and Abraham Lincoln was a failed business man. But what makes a courageous leader is the willingness to stop, evaluate the situation, and retie the shoe before moving on. No matter how many knots I tied my laces in at some point the knots would come loose.
If we are to lead courageously, maybe after tying our shoes the thing we need to do is to be brave enough to tie the shoes of someone else so that they are able to follow Christ without worrying about tripping over their shoelaces. If we can find ways to tie shoes, as a church, then just think how that small act could potentially make that follower into a leader who will end up tying the shoes of someone else, who will tie the shoes of someone else, who will tie the shoes of someone else. Being a courageous leader is not always about finding ways to move mountains or to create the next biggest and best thing, nor to get your name into the history books: sometimes being a courageous leader simply involves reminding people of the small accomplishments in life—accomplishments that lead to a stronger and deeper faith in Jesus Christ.
Joshua tells us to “be strong and courageous.” Essentially, he is telling us to lead courageously. To lead with our shoes tied as we lead others to Christ, as we follow Christ, and as we come to do what Christ is calling us to do. As an individual, you are a leader. As a matter of fact, you are a strong and courageous leader: changing and transforming lives wherever you go. You may not see yourself as a leader, but believe me you are. How do I know that? Because you are leading me to be the pastor you need me to be. And as a church, we are a leader for this community. Your involvement in the community, your commitment to each other, your willingness to invite others to church, your giving to those in need, and your constant seeking to be known is proof to me and so many others that you want to be courageous leaders of and for Christ. As your pastor, I want to remind you as a follower and as leader, to make sure your shoes are tied. When your shoes are tied, no matter how the day goes, you have and we have accomplished something that allows us to do the work of Christ in our life. Remember to tie your shoes!
Movement Four: Honor the Leaders on Memorial Day…
Knowing that this weekend is Memorial Day weekend, and that tomorrow is Memorial Day, I would like to end this message by honoring and remembering brave, strong, and courageous leaders of our nation who gave their life to make sure that we can continue to lead courageously in the land of the free and the home of the brave. I would like to do so by sharing with you all what I shared on Facebook this past Friday.
I shared these words from the blogpost site of the John Ed Mathison Leadership Ministries non-profit organization which answers the question, “What is the meaning of Memorial Day?” Hopefully, by the end of this post, Memorial Day means something a little more… “Studies have shown that only about 25% of Americans know the meaning of Memorial Day. Memorial Day is about remembering. It has ‘memory’ in it. It’s easy to forget the price that was paid for our freedoms. We can casually sit back and enjoy backyard barbecues, boat rides, and beach bashes, but the meaning of Memorial Day is that, according to the Defense Causality Analysis System, almost 1.5 million men and women have died since 1775 so that you and I might enjoy our freedoms.[8] Memorial Day is a day when we pause to give thanks to the people who fought and died for the things we have. Peter wrote to the church, saying, ‘This is now the second letter I am writing to you in which I’m stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder that you should remember…” (2 Peter 3:1-2). We need to have our minds stirred. We need to remember.[9] We must remember that freedom isn’t free. People died so that we could live. Spend some time thanking people and God for their bravery. People who have died in all the wars form an elite group that must never be forgotten. We must remember.”
As we approach Memorial Day, we’re reminded that this day is more than just a long weekend or the unofficial start of summer or when pools open up or when grills are dusted off. It’s a solemn occasion—a time to pause, remember, and reflect on the extraordinary sacrifice of the brave persons who laid down their lives in service to our country. Memorial Day is about honoring those who never came home alive, who gave away all their tomorrows. It’s a day to recognize the weight of freedom—the cost of which has been paid in lives lost on battlefields near and far. These heroes fought not for recognition, but for a cause greater than themselves: the preservation of “life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness,” and the protection of the values we hold dear.
While Memorial Day specifically honors the fallen, it’s also an opportunity to acknowledge the living veterans and active service members who carry the burden of memory and continue to serve with courage and dedication. Their stories, resilience, and sense of duty remind us what it truly means to serve. This Memorial Day, let’s remember with gratitude, honor with intention, and live in a way that reflects the depth of their gift. To all who have served—and to those we have lost—we remember you. We honor you. We thank you. We cherish your willingness to lead courageously.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, leading courageously, much like loving boldly and serving joyfully, doesn’t have to be complicated. As a matter of fact, it can be as simple as helping someone tie their shoes or as we learned last week holding up someone’s hands. Leading courageously is demonstrating acts of service, humility, accountability, leading by example, compassion, and remembering that you are strong and courageous. Most importantly, leading courageously is knowing that you are a follower of Jesus Christ who is loved, who is forgiven, who has been given a plan, and who does have enough faith to move mountains. Leading courageously is not always going to be easy, but as you have demonstrated to me for the past five years, you are a church with a big heart that is willing to find ways to not only lead those in our pews, especially the children, to Christ, but to be a living and breathing example of Jesus Christ for this community.
I invite you to consider what you need to do in order to be a courageous leader for and of Christ: deepen your faith, believe in yourself. I encourage you to think of ways how our church can continue to lead those in our pews and those in our community: what needs are out there that we can help with. I ask that you continue to follow Christ in such a way that helps you become a leader for those in your life. And lastly, I challenge you to remember to tie your shoes. You never know when Christ is going to need a strong and courageous leader like yourself!
Let It Be So…
Closing Prayer:
Let us Pray… Dear Jesus, we thank you for being the model leader in our life: for showing us what a leader does, what a leader needs, and who can be a leader. We ask that you help us to lead courageously, following in your footsteps, as we deepen our faith and help others follow you. In your name we pray. Amen.
Benediction:
To lead courageously means to follow Christ and to know that God is with you in every situation. Are you willing to be the leader Christ needs you to be? May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; and May the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace (Numbers 6:24-26). In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit go forth leading courageously in all that you do. And all God’s people said, Amen. Amen. Amen.
[1] Ministries, The United Methodist Church Unveils New Guiding Vision Statement, Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church, May 1, 2025: https://www.unitedmethodistbishops.org/newsdetail/umc-unveils-new-vision-statement-19057587 Accessed April 12, 2026.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Inspired by Matthew 22:37-39 and John 13:34-35.
[4] Inspired by Psalm 100:1, Nehemiah 8:10, John 13:14-15 and 1 Peter 4:10
[5] Inspired by Joshua 1:9 and Ephesians 6:10
[6] https://www.ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/characteristics-good-leader/
Integrity & Trustworthiness: Maintaining high moral standards and advocating for your team fosters a transparent, ethical environment.
Effective Communication: Mastering both active listening and clear articulation ensures that teams feel heard and aligned with the overarching vision.
Empathy & Self-Awareness: Understanding team needs and recognizing personal strengths and weaknesses allow for grounded, authentic leadership.
Resilience: Navigating challenges with adaptability and poise helps maintain team morale during periods of change or crisis.
Empowerment: Delegating effectively and providing constructive feedback empowers employees to grow and take ownership of their work.
Vision & Decisiveness: The ability to map out long-term goals while making firm, timely decisions keeps teams moving forward purposefully.
[7] Cultivate Leadership Institute, “Leadership Training: 5 Ways to Show Christian Leadership in the Workplace,” Published October 17, 2024: https://www.cultivateleader.com/blog/show-christian-leadership?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21383153188&gbraid=0AAAAA9g7x2GmMla2-d6JmFQ3kW2tvOO8c&gclid=Cj0KCQjwlLDQBhDjARIsAPlIefHCaTtzq21MdiDyUg1T-HJ3MEZ8rOGJycJ-z31QCK2EhAr0-aWJLa0aAjH_EALw_wcB Accessed May 19, 2026.
[8] https://dcas.dmdc.osd.mil/dcas/app/summaryData/deaths/byYearManner
[9] It started during the Civil War when women began decorating the graves of soldiers who had died in that war. On May 30, 1868, the day was designated as ‘Decoration Day’—a day for placing flowers on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers throughout the United States. ‘Decoration Day’ gradually became known as Memorial Day, and soldiers who died in other wars were honored. It quickly became a day to remember all people who had died in defense of our country. In 1971, the United States Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday to be observed on the last Monday of May.