A Leader Who Loves People Well

Hey Group Leaders,

First—I'm sorry I’ve missed the last couple of weeks of these emails. Between Easter and everything involved in getting the new building open at Walnut Grove, it’s been a wild stretch. Thank you for your patience—and thank you for continuing to show up for your people with consistency and care.

As we step into Week 9, I want to put one simple reminder in front of you:

Why this matters

Over the last several weeks, we’ve talked about things like unity, vulnerability, and humility.

This week brings it all together at the core:

Love is what makes all of that real.

You can do the right things as a leader—run the meeting, ask good questions, keep the group on track, teach sound truth—and still miss the heart of what people need most.

Because when love is missing:

• Truth can start to feel harsh—even if it’s true.
• Leadership can start to feel cold—even if it’s competent.
• Groups can start to feel like meetings—even if they’re productive.

But when love is present:

• People feel seen, not managed.
• Grace becomes tangible, not theoretical.
• Community becomes life-giving, not draining.

What “loving leadership” looks like in real group life

Here’s the kind of leadership we’re aiming for—simple, practical, and deeply Jesus-shaped:

• Seeing people, not just running a group.
• Slowing down enough to care.
• Patience with different personalities and maturity levels.
• Shepherding vs. managing.

Key Scriptures to anchor you

• John 13:35 — Jesus makes love the defining marker: people recognize His disciples by how they love.
• 1 Corinthians 13 — a clear picture of love that is patient, kind, enduring, and others-focused.

A simple challenge for this week

Before the group, take five minutes and ask the Lord one question:

Who in my group most needs to experience love right now—and what would it look like to lead them with patient, personal care?

That might mean a text before group, a follow-up conversation after, a private prayer with someone, or simply making space for a person who’s usually quiet.

Thank you for leading. Thank you for serving. And thank you for loving people in a way that makes Jesus feel close and real.

Grateful for you,

Nathan

p.s. Jonah and I are currently in Houston, TX at a discipleship conference. We have certainly been challenged this week, and I can’t wait to share more with y’all when we get back!