I enjoyed General Conference this month. I mean I really enjoyed it. In fact, I have to say it was likely the most inspiring conference I have ever seen.
By inspiring, I meant I felt motivated to change myself. Maybe this is too personal, but I felt I needed to work on being less judgmental, more selfless, more grateful, and more patient.
Mary would likely argue this point, but upon reflection earlier thisa month, I found that I am far too self-centred. I realized that if I ever wanted to make a difference in the lives of others, that needed to change.
Related to this was the idea that I needed to change my efforts as an elders quorum president.
No one will remember whether I increased home teaching by 10%. No one will remember whether I was on top of having someone assigned to teach the lesson each week. No one will remember whether I held regular PPIs. No one will remember I was the longest-serving EQP in this ward in the last ten years, if not longer.
After the priesthood session of conference, I felt I needed to focus on being a minister.
But what does that mean? How does one minister properly?
And thus I turn to you, the reader, to answer those two questions. Please share your thoughts.
Funny you should bring this up! My husband and I had a discussion on this very topic tonight! He went out on visit with the Stake President to some members in our ward. He shared the experience with me. Bottom line – it was amazing. He said the Stake President told him that the person who called him said if he had to do it all over again he’d delegate all the administering of programs and minister to people more. Our Stake President does that by going out on visits with leadership in the different wards to people the ward feels like need the blessings, counselling, etc. of the Stake President. My husband is also an EQP and he said he’s going to try to do the same thing…more PPI’s, more visits in people’s homes, more counseling with individuals, more praying for the Lord to bless their lives.
Very exciting really. I think he (and you!) are really on to something!
Kim has been on this path for awhile, he has been seeking ways to serve the brethren more. He really cares. It’s good to see your husband feels the same! I think they can make a difference, instead of focusing on numbers, they are focusing on people.
I’ve visited with quorum members in the past, but I could probably do more of it.
man must have been something in the air as hubby and I have been talking about that same subject this week as well!!! What he is going to focus on when he goes out HTing is not ask “is there anything we can do for you? .. but rather “give me something to do that I am able to help you with? or something to the effect. When we ask open ended questions we get yes or no answers but when you ask a direct question you may get a direct answer.
He is also going to follow the promptings more so if he feels that he needs to go see the Smiths that night even with no specific appointment he will listen to that still small voice rather then pushing it off with the thought of “oh I can’t just pop in unannounced…these are inactives and they might get offended… I don’t know what to tell them when I ring the bell…. I am too busy etc etc.. the promptings were there.. we just at times need to stop talking long enough to hear it.
“I can’t just pop in unannounced”
Don’t pop in unannounced. It’s bad manners.
Call them first. It takes almost no time and is just common sense.
I second Rick’s comment.
Call first. I don’t mind the visit, but I hate the surprise at the door.
I don’t know. Almost a year ago now I had a baby that was stillborn. There were a number of members in our ward that for quite a while after would just pop by and see how I was doing. I appreciated it. They only stayed for a moment – but wanted to stop in and let me know they were there if I needed them. I’ll never forget those sisters. They made a huge impact on my heart.
I think ‘popping by’ has its place.
Would it have been any less special to you if they’d have called before coming over?
Concern for the one…
As we learn to minister we will become the true and living church Elder Eyering envisions.
Hearts will be bound in unity and love.
President Monson has exemplified how this is to be done.
We have stood on some plateau’s for too long.