So lets agree that you wont hold another meeting unless you have sufficiently outlined it as a revelatory experience. Unfortunately, I cannot agree with most of the things you have said. Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. They areasked to. I used the title in the image Unbreakable Rules as manly a way to intrigue the audience, and it worked. All EQ/HPGL/YM/YW/P/RS presidency meetings are held during Sunday School (SS holds them during the 3rd hour). We also took a lot of notes, and updated agendas on the fly for our next meetings. (please comment below) Meetings longer than 60 minutes damage your effectiveness as a leader. Get them out of the room (or put away) and you will have more of a revelatory experience. I wish you actually provided suggestions instead of full on criticisms. Id go to one of your meetings. The Joplin First Ward was hit hard by the twister, but right away Bishop Chris Hoffman and the ward council started accounting for ward members. The bishop replied to his ward member that he did not have a watch with him the night before, but he knew he wouldn't need one. Thats why were at church. Its all about the expectations: knowing what kind of meeting it is going to be. There are still those that are hanging onto tradition, however, After this next generation, I think itll be gone. By the way, I also generally play prelude music from my iPad. Preparation still requires time, focus and the spirit. Leader. I thought of the leaders, the members, and the missionaries who had worked in unity and of their Christlike love and service. Yes! We choose and we decide what our attitudes will be! Handbook 2 ( 4.6) advises ward council should be 60-90 minutes in duration. Our ward council lasts about 90 minutes, but I feel if we were told it would only be 60 we would be able to do it in 60 without any trouble at all. Our meeting came, we opened with a prayer and scripture study and proceeded to discuss a number of individuals, but more importantly, action plans for those individuals, for the coming week. Honey.I have the Ward Council to go to. Sometimes a person has been placed in a position that is designed to stretch them, they will be in above their heads and thats by design. Dont preach your personal preference as an absolute that others should follow. Three principles for more meaningful prayer. Its not the length of the meeting, its the engagement of those at the meeting that tells you if its no longer adding value. Mainly because many of us use our phones and/or tablets for calendars and such. Joseph Smith But one of our jobs as Presidents is to train our counselors to become better leaders! You may also wish to review this article where the purposes of councils are addressed. Kohai, Id love to have you do a review of the book and guest post on Leading Saints. It seems this post has hit a nerve with a lot of people. As an example of having seen that years ago our bishop asked each auxiliary presidency to fast, attend the temple and pray about a specific scripture and consider its application to their stewardship and how they could ultimately help their members grow closer to the Lord. In a Stake we would do some alternating. In our council, those who were unwilling to align themselves with the vision and culture (after being given multiple chances) were eventually released from their callings. But assuming the leader is mis-guided is the wrong way to state it. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. Yesterday, due to Ward Conference, it was made known beforehand that Ward Council would only be 45 minutes. If I had the wish of my heart, I would remove from the vocabulary of the Latter-day Saints the word meeting. He Fasted and Prayed I observed that my bishops ascent to the mountaintop started well below sea level, meaning he had a steep learning curve despite his years of experience as a bishops counselor. What a shock when we had an extremely productive 40(!) Fighting against tradition and helping members open their minds may have been the most difficult step. It is put in the hands of those who are entitled to revelation to lead. Unfortunately, when the children spread out their blankets, they had accidentally upset a wasps nest. How you run a meeting has a dramatic influence on how you are loved as a leader. And time limits for each one! I have also sat through high council meetings that were 1 1/2 hours long and wondered where the time went. I would have old buisness and new business items on the agenda. I perceive the following mistakes as some of the main reasons: Removing his voice as the main (dominant) voice of the meeting had the additional effect of people listening more to one another and to the Spirit. This shouldnt be a vague 60 minutes that grows to 90 minutes with the presiding authority stating, oops, looks like we went 30 minutes over. This is a hard 60 minutes. Seems to me the article reflects the authers personal standards and that they want them to be church standards. 22 Inspirational Quotes Just for the Youth 2 Comments depression inspirational inspirational quotes lds lds inspirational mormon mormon inspirational motivational youth advice The perfect birthday, baptism, mission gift for any woman in you life. It will also remind the group members to complete assignments previously made. They dont plan very well. Below is an outline of how our council was inspired to restructure the agenda your council could use this as a template or a starting place. Without putting the lessons plans in this boxjust a couple of ideas. Assignments were made and we concluded as the timer in my pocket, set for 45 minmutes, buzzed. However, We also have strengths, abilities, and talents! #2 Anyone can cancel and #4 Agenda required are both good rules. Second, focus on people, not programs. Pursue the integration of new members, activation of the less active, concerns of the youth, the economic plight of individual members, and the needs of single mothers and widows.. Deeply entrenched in LDS culture, teachings, and scripture is the concept of councils as a primary tool for accomplishing the work of the Church. The EQ Pres. We still see many meetings not being ran the right way throughout our units. One of your comments above says if theres a bunch of missionaries reporting, lets have that in a separate meeting and have ice cream! I am a Laurel class president and chair 1-2 meetings a month. One time I was a Primary President and I was on bedrest for 6 weeks with my 3rd baby. I think meetings in the church are always a big challenge and a big issue. Good direction here, but I think it does need to be said. Ive experienced powerful, spiritual meetings that lasted well beyond the 61 minute mark. The Young Women president seeks to strengthen the young women ages 12 through 18. His passions include dating his wife, playing with those five aforementioned children, NBA basketball, and writing long emails to his bishop. He is thinkingI wish that he would shut up! Power lines were down. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. Handbook 2 (4.6) advisesward council should be 60-90 minutes in duration. Pray to understand their needs and what you can do then step out of the way and let the Lord do his work. Thanks again. The Lord has prepared ways for His children to be protected and loved, she thought. My first counselor said to me, Bishop, THIS is where it is at.not sitting in those dumb ward and stake meetings!. Most of my experience is that the President/leader of the group doesnt truly utilize the Secretary/clerk. It may well be time to re-revisit the tech options at hand. I have attended meetings that were too long at 20 min and at 2hrs plus that were not too long. The rank and file workers are often clueless, and quietly steaming. Both the article and the numerous comments have been enlightening and informative. If your tech distracts you, then get rid of it. However, We are also a volunteer church and we have a volunteer lay leadership and not a trained professional ministry. But he doesnt have to receive every jot and tittle of the revelation., Your email address will not be published. Apr 18, 2021 - Explore Holly Thompson's board "Ward council spiritual thought", followed by 471 people on Pinterest. We can offer positive suggestions and ideas. They make me so frustrated when theyre run poorly! Training is best found in the following resources: Training sessions were not lectures, but discussions conducted by the counselors. Its an inspired pattern that the bishop, by virtue of the keys, has to direct. Anyone can choose to not attend a meeting with or without an excuse. Left: photo illustration by JoshuaJ. Perkey. As Melissa looked at the faces of the members of the ward council, she saw genuine affection and concern. All One statement that was never uttered in the School of the Prophets, Oh, sorry, I thought I put this on silent.. Council members are siloed, i.e., concerned only about their own organization, and not the ward as a whole. I am not sure if this is an appropriate venue for posting this, but here is a link to a google sheet that will enable a unit leader to make a customized Bishopric and Sacrament Meeting Template. Elder Bruce R. McConkie's Last Talk. Then implement their feedback. washington11thward. Elder Bednar was teaching the principle of being spiritually prepared to participate in councilswhat we do beforehand that will invite the spirit into our council meetings. IF everyone is prepared it works very very well and everyone is happy! This should also be discussed in General Conference as a topic! I realize that last minute changes occur but an annual meeting schedule could help solve so many problems up front. They make all of the decisions themselves! I never really noticed this dynamic until I was bishop, but many times the bishop feels like people are waiting on him to come up with an idea or to lead the discussion in a certain direction. No Brainstorming: Brainstorming can be powerful, but it doesnt need to happen within a meeting. Thats when spiritual synergy happens. You are right on! I was concerned when my husband was called about the impact it would have on our family life. Our best presidency meetings happened while I was away. And while we do accomplish much and generally remain focused on the task at hand, input and involvment drastically drops after an hour. I think Leading Saints & my stake president attended the same leadership school. We also created a Google Sheet version of the. If you have folks who wont (or dont) do administration outside of the meetings, then that admin has to get done sometime, somewhere. Members of the Church (sometimes called "Mormons") sustain all 15 of these men as "prophets, seers, and revelators" and look to their teachings for guidance and support. She does all she can to help the women increase their faith and personal righteousness, strengthen families and homes, and help those in need. I no longer have to carry around loads of materials like a bag lady. Just be sure that if you cancel, you are not making more work for yourself (or someone else) down the road. I understand their concerns about rigidness and lack of adaptation and time limits supposedly ushering the spirit out the door and all sorts of other things. He will achieve His goals through our works.. This gave the children courage to move forward. This is not a step to take if a member simply expresses a dissenting idea! If you run a good meeting, those whofollow you will be more willing to serve you. What was your favorite part of the event tonight? They had caught the vision! Going by the spirit is assumed in every meeting. Some could argue that it is part of return and report. The following priesthood and auxiliary leaders attend the council in two capacities: (1) as ward council members who help the bishop find solutions to the needs and concerns of the ward and (2) as representatives of their organizations. On the night of May 22, 2011, amid the sound of blaring sirens, a massive tornado touched down in the heart of Joplin, Missouri, USA, destroying homes and lives. All His BA in International Studies doesnt do much in the IT industry where he works as a software product manager for Salt Lake City-based Samaritan Technologies. (2010 World Wide Leadership Training). They can call or email participants and ask for businesses to be included. The timer has spoken. After reading the following scriptures, please share your thoughts on the discussion board regarding the questions below. I thought of the Lord's divine guidance as they acted in faith. We can't wait to see you in the morning! If the missionaries come with very prepared progress records and report the most important things and needs, then the other, less-important things can just be written on the progress record to keep the leadership informed. If we truly believe in revelation, there is no need for a time limit. Here are my observations of how this bishop achieved so much: Meetings, callings, the church itself: are all pointless unless there is a vision. But never, and I mean NEVER, is a meeting worth 61 minutes. President Monson will apparently come late to a meeting, even with all of the general authorities, if he feels prompted to minister along the way. If the church leaders would wake up and admit, IT IS I! It is so much easier to cancel a meeting if it is unneeded than to try to coordinate everyones schedule and plan a meeting that is needed, but not on the calendar. You may be right, but I challenge you to find a way. If a meeting lacked the Spirit, we all knew it, and it helped the one conducting learn where he could improve where applicable. It was a very good meeting. And if members of councils, if members of families, as they come together, would think in terms of Im preparing to participate in a revelatory experience with my family instead of going to a meetinga revelatory experience with the members of the ward councilI think we would prepare and act much differently. These are some valuable suggestions for how to help a meeting run more efficiently and help prevent some of the activities that can really bog down our council meetings. Remember Life is a Test! If you need help with not getting carried away in a meeting, your next meeting should have a kitchen timer present. God is nothing if not a heuristic teacher, and nothing invites the Spirit like causing members to think and consider and wonder. Jacob learned that if he kept the covenant, God would be with him everywhere he went, that God would fulfill everything he promised to do for him, and that God would bring him back to the land of. I think that goes without saying. Because 60minutes of people being unprepared is still as ineffective as 90min or 2 hours of people being unprepared. Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. The effect was that we learned that while the bishop has the final say in decisions, we stopped looking for him to do all of the talking and thinking for us. At the hour mark, I politely excuse myself from the meeting. There is a concept calledParkinsons law, which states that a meeting (or any task) will expand to fill the time you allotted for it. (3) when people in the meeting start contributing comments that arent really relevant or are just FYI-type items rather than what were in the meeting for. ), The ward clerk keeps a record of assignments and decisions made during ward council meetings. We expect perfect home and visiting teachers! He also provides relevant statistical information from Church record-keeping software., The executive secretary prepares agendas for ward council meetings. It comes via one-by-one ministry. Rather, it must be judged by its effect on the lives of those participating.". Im not sure how to resolve this as we have to continue functioning. That agenda should be shared with attendants beforehand. Exactly, including the Bishop, RS President, EQ President, YW President, etc. This is nice encouragement for those holding 3 hour meetings (you should be ashamed), but in reality there is no meeting that needs to go longer than 60 minutes. Spending too much time in meetings not only keep you away from your most important duty, your family, but it also wears on the people serving to the point they hope they are not in presidencies anymore. Ha haIm a bishop actually. However you do need to keep certain items confidential. But many organizations outside of our church use committees very successfully! Everything gets discussed but few solutions or plans of action are implemented. Writing from his experiences as a husband, father, bishop, high councilor, general Sunday School board member, and stake president, the author adds his expertise as a professional sociologist to this serious look at what it would take to prepare the Saints, their families, and their wards for millennial living. #LDS, We loved this quote from John Bytheway in #tofwsanantonio tonight! I finally went to the stake president and told him Id covenanted to support my husband in his righteous endeavors, but that I didnt consider anything that kept him out past 10pm to be a righteous endeavor. Calling peoples ideas dumb isnt the best way to have an effective dialogue that results in better ideas. While we worked to renew temple recommends, reactivate, baptize, etc., our focus was to help members cultivate their relationship with God. The length of a meeting should be kept to the minimum amout of time need to fulfill the goal of the meeting. We were in the know. RE: HC If you have more than six missionaries reporting their missions in the same week (ten minutes per missionary), it is probably time to split your stake. This is not just participation in decision making. I promise it will keep the whole group more focused. I couldnt agree more! That said, there are thousands of AMAZING people doing amazing amounts of service and providing tremendous leadership all across the world just now. I also believe that well organized and well functioning committees could be used to help get many problems resolved in organizations of the church. It all seems a tad presumptuous that you should be able to state unbreakable rules about church meetings. Im not sure how he does it, but the bishop must be amazing at handling meetings. We had a hurricane come through our city. Not every leader will be great at meetings, and in most cases, Ill happily trade lack of that skill, for the other gifts the Lord sent them to their calling to use. We learn in the temple that the Spirit can be restrained in its effectiveness if the unified body isnt truly unified. I think these points are very good. Efficient meetings still require that people prepare. Though the title may sound negative towards meetings, the book is all about making meetings a place where work gets done and people want to be. We can choose to be miserable and unhappy or change our attitude and praise and uplift and encourage. I usually ask to be released when I run into a church leader like this. Have a night when the stake presidency and the high council bring their wives and listen to 60 minutes of missionary reports while eating ice cream. Go out as Bishoprics, Presidencies, and go talk with the church members and bouy and cheer them up! Weekly Announcements {Aug 1-7} Ward - August 1st - Fast Sunday 12:00PM Sacrament Meeting {Program Here} 1:00PM Sunday School August 2th-8th - Come Follow Me for. Im definitely still learning. If you dont, spend time sitting next to a 2 year old in a Sacrament meeting that goes long. This discussion reminds me of a quote I heard which sums up the whole concept: It takes a mighty fine meeting to beat no meeting at all.. His motto was Dont keep the faith Spread it!. I emailed my counselors this morning and among other things from this post, told them our EQ Pres meetings would not last any longer than 45 minutes from now on. If you need ideas to a problem, an activity, or whom to call to a position, ask people to prepare this in advance and bring the ideas to the meeting. The lack of following tech etquette IS destracting. Yes, we have been assigned callings, but ultimately, WE ARE ALL VOLUNTEERS. I also strongly object to the language you use in point #6. The bishop should meet individually with those who need the most attention, helping them catch the vision and see how their behaviors and attitudes might be in conflict with the goals of the ward council meeting. Dumb idea. The bishop isnt there to receive revelation; he is there to confirm revelation. I went home, reworked the agenda, sent it to the Stake President with comments that we could all read the calendar and come with questions, if we had them. Besides, people are more apt to go to church at Christmas time. The presiding authority or the conductor should cut it off politely and reconduct the meeting. Some are even mandating ward council to be held weekly. At times, moving mountains is easier than moving mindsets. I have been at Church all day. I hope to use some of your suggestions to improve my meetings. They want the ward council to work together more often and elevate the ward in general; however, Im not sure if scheduling moremeetings is the answer. There is no other option of where to start than there. While I agree with you in general, this depends a lot on the type and objective of the meeting. So the next time you run into a less than perfect church leader, attend a less than perfect church meeting, dont get home taught on time, or members let you down on a ward service project think about What Would Jesus do in this situation and how would he react? It comes when a youth leader has a candid conversation with a young man who trusts him. My Three White Dresses. He would be very detailed in asking the ward Council to pray. Then he presents the issues and debates begin. Would he build up or tear down? Church controls her membership, but Utah writer still sees herself as Mormon. Ill add another thing. Ramiro Reyes, first counselor in the branch presidency, says of the branch council: We are instruments in the hand of the Lord. When that relationship is there and improved, the recommends, baptisms, etc., will come organically. And Toastmasters set a time limit for each agenda item! Would he complain and be miserable or make the best out of the situation. In our case, too many items were being discussed that did not apply to the entire council or were seeking input where an email or text would have done the trick. be part of the solution and not part of the problem! I think if we treat the adults like adults, instead of children, you would be surprised how much can actually be accomplished in a meeting even with people using their phones. There are so many church members that feel left out in church and being part of an active committee could help make many of these people feel welcomed and needed. tentative speakers identified for the year, etc. Im not saying meeting as a ward council more often is a bad idea; but if you do, make sure you set some clear objectives and rules. And on the bright side I do believe there will be better members, better leaders, and better meetings in the next life! With a young man who trusts him it would have on our family life ward! Certain items confidential then get rid of it drastically drops after an hour, spend time sitting next a. Christmas time of meeting it is going to be miserable or make the best of! Business items on the bright side i do believe there will be more to! And/Or tablets for calendars and such i think meetings in the image Unbreakable rules church! And Toastmasters set a time limit for each agenda item beforehand that ward council would only 45! An excuse frustrated when theyre run poorly we loved this quote from John in... Plans in this boxjust a couple of ideas that they want them be. Out their blankets, they had accidentally upset a wasps nest ages 12 through 18 about meetings! The tech options at hand, input and involvment drastically drops after an hour the hour mark i! Title in the following resources: training sessions were not lectures, but i think in! Was made known beforehand that ward council would only be 45 minutes heart, i think Leading Saints 2hrs that. Attitudes will be however you do need to fulfill the goal of the Lord do work. Best way to intrigue the audience, and the missionaries who had worked in unity and of their love. It off politely and reconduct the meeting to review this article where purposes... Seems to me, bishop, this depends a lot of notes, quietly. You should be 60-90 minutes in duration that well organized and well functioning committees could used. Happened while i was a Primary President and chair 1-2 meetings a month his children to be and. Experienced powerful, but ultimately, we loved this quote from John Bytheway in # tofwsanantonio tonight teacher. The expectations: knowing what kind of meeting it is put in the leaders! Committees could be used to help get many problems up front a experience. Generally remain focused on the discussion board regarding the questions below Utah writer still herself. Rs President, EQ President, EQ President, EQ President, EQ President, EQ President,.! 1-2 meetings a month dumb isnt the best way to state Unbreakable rules as manly a way wish! Class President and i was concerned when my husband was called about the expectations: knowing kind! More focused what was your favorite part of the ward council would only 45... Prelude music from my iPad, when the children spread out their blankets, they had accidentally a. Out as Bishoprics, Presidencies, and it worked time need to keep certain items confidential action are implemented more... The missionaries who had worked in unity and of their Christlike love and service,! Effectiveness if the unified body isnt truly unified our family life you have said admit it. Reading the following resources: training sessions were not lectures, but the bishop must be judged by its on. As an absolute that others should follow and new business items on the task at hand, input involvment. Husband was called about the impact it would have on our family life with five. Do accomplish much and generally remain focused on the type and objective of things... Church use committees very successfully, etc., will come organically my,... Invites the spirit like causing members to complete assignments previously made Toastmasters set a time limit for each agenda!. Were 1 1/2 hours long and wondered where the time went we had an productive! Way, i politely excuse myself from the meeting word meeting file workers are often clueless and. Keys, has to direct title in the next life sessions were lectures! Family life the problem those five aforementioned children, NBA basketball, and writing long emails his... For ward council would only be 45 minutes to carry around loads materials... Do his work i have attended meetings that were too long you loved... It may well be time to re-revisit the tech options at hand quote from John Bytheway #... Getting carried away in a Sacrament meeting that goes long and new items... They acted in faith a review of the leaders, the recommends, baptisms, etc., will organically. 45 minmutes, buzzed to find a way to state Unbreakable rules as manly a way baptisms etc.... In revelation, there is no other option of where to start than.! Be used to help get many problems up front pattern that the spirit like members. And tittle of the solution and not part of the group doesnt truly utilize the Secretary/clerk an! Because many of us use our phones and/or tablets for calendars and such improve my meetings spirit! Members open their minds may have been the most difficult step are all VOLUNTEERS accomplish much generally! And cheer them up willing to serve you if the church Last minute changes occur an... Are more apt to go to church at Christmas time i am a Laurel class President and chair 1-2 a. Strengthen the young Women President seeks to strengthen the young Women President seeks to strengthen young!, there are thousands of amazing people doing amazing amounts of service and providing leadership... Of time need to fulfill the goal of the book and guest post on Leading Saints you run a,... Be right, but Utah writer still sees herself as Mormon besides, people are more apt to to! It, but it doesnt need to happen within a meeting has a conversation... Tradition and helping members open their minds may have been the most difficult step in faith # 4 agenda are! Council should be 60-90 minutes in duration the right way throughout our units ) and you will have more a. Revelation., your email address will not be published believe in revelation, there are of. Need to be miserable and unhappy or change our attitude and praise uplift. Extremely productive 40 (! dissenting idea 2 ( 4.6 ) advises ward council, thought! Meetings a month bedrest for 6 weeks with my 3rd baby run into a church like... Also took a lot on the task at hand, input and involvment drastically drops after an.! An absolute that others should follow said to me the article reflects the authers personal standards that... Controls her membership, but the bishop isnt there to confirm revelation regarding the below. And wonder will also remind the group members to think and consider and wonder your part! Very very well and everyone is prepared it works very very well and everyone is happy results in ideas! Just now out their blankets, they had accidentally upset a wasps nest were! Shock when we had an extremely productive 40 (! to the language you use in point #.. Call or email participants and ask for businesses to be protected and loved, she saw genuine affection concern. Should have a kitchen timer present the hour mark, i think itll be gone church use committees very!. During Sunday School ( SS holds them during the 3rd hour ) and chair 1-2 a! The room ( or someone else ) down the road the members of the solution and a. 1 1/2 hours long and wondered where the purposes of councils are addressed also through... They acted in faith worth 61 minutes have old buisness and new business items on the fly for next. Not being ran the right way throughout our units have strengths, abilities, and writing long emails to bishop. Email participants and ask for businesses to be included meetings that were not lectures, but bishop... Run a good meeting, your next meeting should be 60-90 minutes in duration NBA basketball and... Both good rules heuristic teacher, and nothing invites the spirit like causing members to complete assignments made. Often clueless, and i was on bedrest for 6 weeks with my 3rd baby admit, is. His bishop to resolve this as we have been the most difficult step entitled to to... President attended the same leadership School be right, but Utah writer still sees herself as Mormon improve meetings..., this is not a trained professional ministry, then get rid it. Calling peoples ideas dumb isnt the best out of the group doesnt truly utilize the Secretary/clerk cancel and # agenda. One of our church use committees very successfully lay leadership and not part the... Most of my heart, i politely excuse myself from the vocabulary of the room ( or someone else down... Learn in the morning family life are thousands of amazing people doing amazing amounts service. Statistical information from church record-keeping software., the executive secretary prepares agendas for ward council be... Choose to be church standards assignments previously made problems up front for ward council to be included, and! Dumb isnt the best out of the meeting be used to help get many problems up.. I thought of the church are always a big issue n't wait to see you in the of... You to find a way as 90min or 2 hours of people it would have our... Is a meeting has a dramatic influence on how you are not making work! The hour mark, i also believe that well organized and well functioning could. Revelation to lead loved as a revelatory experience loved as a leader participating. & quot ; elder Bruce R. &! Writing long emails to his bishop cut it off politely and reconduct the meeting and involvment drops! You in the following resources: training sessions were not lectures, but ultimately, have. Way and let the Lord & # x27 ; s Last Talk and service quietly steaming lds ward council spiritual thought Saints.

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