Ward Mission Leader - An Introduction
Welcome to missionary service in the Pleasant Grove Utah Manila Stake! We hope you find joy and fulfillment in your service to the Lord's children.
What is My Role as a Ward Mission Leader?
As a ward mission leader, you:
- Serve as a member of the Ward Council.
- Coordinate the ward's efforts to identify those who need the blessings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, teach them, and bring them to the Lord and the saving ordinances of His church.
To learn your role, study Handbook 2, Administering the Church, sections 1 through 5, especially 5.1. This information is updated and extended on the Hastening the Work website, especially under Ward Councils and Ward Mission Leaders.
How Do I Get Started?
Starting any new calling can be overwhelming, especially one of such importance as Ward Mission Leader. We've prepared a Quick Start Guide that will walk you through the first five weeks of your calling as a ward mission leader, including both study and service activities.
What Will I Be Doing?
These are the main activities you will do to act in your calling:
Minister in People's Homes
The most important aspect of your service is to minister in the homes of people in your ward boundaries. Prayerfully identify who to visit, bring a companion, and go.
You have authority to represent the Lord in any home in your ward boundaries. You may visit:
- Non-members
- Less-active members
- Members needing additional saving ordinances (the Sacrament, priesthood ordinations, temple ordinances)
- Those struggling with spiritual or other challenges
Make visits in companionship with (see Handbook 2:5.1.4):
- Other ward missionaries
- Members of the ward council
- Full-time missionaries
- High councilors assigned to your ward and to the Stake Missionary Committee
- Prospective missionaries
Other these visits, you may:
- Invite the Spirit of the Lord into the home
- Pray together
- Seek to understand the needs, thoughts, and attitudes of those you visit
- Share a gospel message (may include the lessons from Preach My Gospel)
- Extend gospel invitations, including meeting with full-time missionaries
- Offer blessings by the priesthood and by faith
Build Relationships and Share the Gospel
- Build loving relationships with those who need the blessings of the gospel, both inside and outside the ward.
- Share gospel messages and invitations as directed by the Spirit.
Meet with Members and Help Them Share the Gospel
Visit the homes of members in the ward, and :
- Help them feel the spirit of missionary work.
- Help them set goals to share the gospel.
- Identify people they know who are ready to be taught by the missionaries, and help them plan to extend invitations.
- Follow up and give encouragement in future visits.
Coordinate with Full-Time Missionaries, Ward Missionaries, and the Ward Council
- Be in contact with each set of full-time missionaries working in your ward every week. The full-time missionaries prefer email summaries to keep them up to date, phone calls and in-person meetings to discuss individuals and their needs, and text messages for quick details.
- Review the online Progress Record filled out by the full-time missionaries to stay abreast of their efforts in your ward.
- Counsel with the ward council to identify those who need conversion, and to determine how to reach out to them.
- Coordinate weekly with the ward missionaries in your ward. Train, motivate and guide them in their missionary efforts.
- Keep records of your work and of the needs and progress of those you are working with.
- Report to the Stake Missionary Committee weekly by email.
Where Can I Get Help?
Priesthood guidance is available from your bishop. Members of the Stake Missionary Committee are available to provide training, including hands-on training, and ongoing direction.
Again, the definitive sources of instruction in your calling are Handbook 2 and the Hastening the Work website.
We are grateful to labor with you in the Lord's vineyard, and trust in His promises that we will rejoice together with those we serve in His presence.
With Love,
The Stake Missionary Committee (July 19, 2015)
