I have been having a lot of fun lately doing scripture study! I know that I have not been posting every day, but I promise that I have been studying every day with only one exception (I was really tired). For the most part I have been trying to do a sprint reading of the Book of Mormon, trying to push through it as quickly as possible. I'm doing pretty good so far. After only a few days I am already at 2 Nephi 15.
Anyways, while I hope to do some more BoM reading today, I started my study this morning by reading President Thomas S. Monson's First Presidency message titled "Our Responsibility to Rescue." It is a great talk and made me feel like I need to do so much more as a home teacher and especially as the Ward Mission Leader. I read the talk online. When I was done reading I saw a link on the right-hand side titled "The Power of Invitations." I clicked on it and it took me to the new missionary focused site on LDS.org in response to the recent leadership training on missionary work, "Hastening the Work of Salvation." From there I just delved into all of the training videos as pertaining to Ward Councils and Ward Mission Leaders, which is something I've been meaning to do ever since the training first came out!
I am absolutely overwhelmed by the Spirit! Christ said: "...I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst." (John 6:35) Well, I feel like I just gorged myself like crazy! It was awesome and exhausting! Obviously I can't go into every detail of what I learned, but the primary focus was on how to become a better Ward Mission Leader. Being new to this kind of calling, I have just kind of "followed the current" so to speak. Now I have more of an idea of what direction I want to go and how to get there.
Since I was called as Ward Mission Leader, there have been four things that I have primarily focused on:
As a result of my efforts, I have been successful in the following ways:
Reading President Monson's talk, watching the training videos and reviewing some other training documents gave me more direction and focus. As such, I was able to identify additional areas for improvement, including things that can address issues identified above as well as other areas that I have not yet focused on but need to. These are the things I want to work on improving:
I know...that's a lot! I am not sure when or how I will accomplish each piece, but at least I know that they need to happen and that I have the direction I need to go in.
So that's where I stand as of right now. I'm so excited that I was able to get these details figured out and that I am making some personal progress. I love this gospel and I love Missionary work. I just hope that I can be successful in helping the work flourish in this part of the Lord's vineyard!
Anyways, while I hope to do some more BoM reading today, I started my study this morning by reading President Thomas S. Monson's First Presidency message titled "Our Responsibility to Rescue." It is a great talk and made me feel like I need to do so much more as a home teacher and especially as the Ward Mission Leader. I read the talk online. When I was done reading I saw a link on the right-hand side titled "The Power of Invitations." I clicked on it and it took me to the new missionary focused site on LDS.org in response to the recent leadership training on missionary work, "Hastening the Work of Salvation." From there I just delved into all of the training videos as pertaining to Ward Councils and Ward Mission Leaders, which is something I've been meaning to do ever since the training first came out!
I am absolutely overwhelmed by the Spirit! Christ said: "...I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst." (John 6:35) Well, I feel like I just gorged myself like crazy! It was awesome and exhausting! Obviously I can't go into every detail of what I learned, but the primary focus was on how to become a better Ward Mission Leader. Being new to this kind of calling, I have just kind of "followed the current" so to speak. Now I have more of an idea of what direction I want to go and how to get there.
Since I was called as Ward Mission Leader, there have been four things that I have primarily focused on:
- Holding regular Missionary Coordination meetings once a week with the full time and ward Missionaries.
- Becoming more prepared and organized for baptismal services.
- Establishing opportunities for members to share and volunteer for Missionary experiences.
- Create an efficient and effective method for members to go on team ups with the full time Missionaries.
As a result of my efforts, I have been successful in the following ways:
- Missionary Coordination - I have been holding MC meetings, but I feel like they are not nearly as effective as they could be. I fear that those who do attend (which are few) may feel like they do not get much out of the meeting and that not much is accomplished.
- Baptismal Services - I am doing a lot better. I haven't done it yet, but I plan on creating a checklist for the full time Missionaries and myself to go through to ensure that everything is in order.
- Missionary Experiences - I am having "Missionary Moments" in each auxiliary to share Missionary experiences but this feels ineffective and like a constant battle. There are a few that step up when I really put the pressure on, but I hate having to pressure people. I want them to just do it because they want to do it and they love to do it! I need to get more buy-in with the leaders.
- Team-Ups - I have created a 28 day rotation calendar for team-ups. My hope is to have people sign up voluntarily and then I would make assignments to fill the calendar permanently. I was going to pass it out during third hour in our combined priesthood/relief society meeting last Sunday but we were short on time. So, I'll have to wait three weeks since the next two weeks are General Conference then Stake Conference.
Reading President Monson's talk, watching the training videos and reviewing some other training documents gave me more direction and focus. As such, I was able to identify additional areas for improvement, including things that can address issues identified above as well as other areas that I have not yet focused on but need to. These are the things I want to work on improving:
- Fill the missionaries' calendar.
- Get more ward missionaries (and maybe an assistant WML).
- Get the ward missionaries more actively involved and trained.
- Be more visibly active to the ward in being an example of doing missionary work - starting in my personal life by sharing the gospel with others, inviting non-members to visit with the missionaries and rescue less actives (See Pres. Monson's First Presidency Message from the October Ensign).
- Meet and coordinate more regularly with the full time missionaries.
- Invite a member of each leadership auxiliary to join missionary coordination meeting every Sunday.
- Track, actively pursue, and be more accountable for the progress of new members and less actives coming into activity.
- Use and keep a record of: Progress Records, New and Returning Member Progress Forms, Convert Action Lists, and Bishopric Action and Interview Lists.
- Get members more engaged in the missionary work - specifically in having missionary experiences and having lessons taught in their homes by the full time missionaries.
- Create and coordinate efforts with the full time Missionaries' blog/web site.
I know...that's a lot! I am not sure when or how I will accomplish each piece, but at least I know that they need to happen and that I have the direction I need to go in.
So that's where I stand as of right now. I'm so excited that I was able to get these details figured out and that I am making some personal progress. I love this gospel and I love Missionary work. I just hope that I can be successful in helping the work flourish in this part of the Lord's vineyard!