Z for . . . Ze end!

 

The A-Z of Ministering by Duncan Horne

Ministering describes the collective and organised effort in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where members keep in regular contact with one another to offer spiritual support and welfare assistance

"Z" Post

We ave arrived at ze end (said in a French accent!)

Zechariah . . . Zephaniah . . . Zebedee . . . none of the obvious quite fit for an A-Z of Ministering post. This is the end, but it's only really the start of a new day, a new opportunity to minister in a higher and holier way.

I do hope you have found this series inspiring and beneficial. Perhaps these posts triggered some other feeling in your mind that has helped or will help you to better serve those you minister to.

I hope the Holy Spirit will always guide you in your desire to do your part in Jesus Christ's Ministering program, wherever in the world you may be.

As the current Elders Quorum President of my local church group, I bear the responsibility for organising the ministering effort, monitoring it, and encouraging all to embrace it and do their duties.

This A-Z of Ministering represents a whole collection of revealed thoughts, and personal and others' experiences in ministering, and interviewing fellow Saints.

There is always work to do, and souls to strengthen and save, as we gather all things in one before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

Y for Ye are the salt of the earth

 

The A-Z of Ministering by Duncan Horne

Ministering describes the collective and organised effort in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where members keep in regular contact with one another to offer spiritual support and welfare assistance

"Y" Post

In Jesus' Sermon on the Mount lecture, he said:

"Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men." 

(Matthew 5:13)

Salt was used to season sacrifices in Old Testament times. It completed the animal sacrifice and was a token of the covenant. Today salt is used to enhance the flavour of many foods.

Likewise it is our job to make covenants with the Lord and be the 'salt of the earth' as we keep those covenants. As we deliver the gospel of Jesus Christ through ministering to others, we enhance the flavour of the gospel on the earth.

It is a duty outlined by Jesus himself and endorsed by living prophets and apostles.

In all of your ministering work, seek to enhance, uplift and brighten others with simple gospel messages.

X for eXceedingly great joy

 

The A-Z of Ministering by Duncan Horne

Ministering describes the collective and organised effort in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where members keep in regular contact with one another to offer spiritual support and welfare assistance

"X" Post

Alright, I know this was a bit of an escape from the letter "X", but options were severely limited! You'll see I had a similar problem for Z as well.

Exceedingly great joy is what Lehi felt when in his vision of the tree of life, he tasted the fruit, a symbol of eternal life. His first reaction to this sweet, white fruit was to share it with his family, "for I knew that it was desirable above all other fruit."

Like Lehi, we also have a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and of the principles and ordinances that point our path to the destination of eternal life.

Through ministering to our extended church family, we share this beautiful fruit with them and beckon them to come and see and taste of the fruit through faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, and walking the covenant path.

Consider sharing your simple testimony of gospel truths with those you minister to.

W for What should I share?

 

The A-Z of Ministering by Duncan Horne

Ministering describes the collective and organised effort in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where members keep in regular contact with one another to offer spiritual support and welfare assistance

"W" Post

To minister can be a challenge at the best of times. There is no set outline of how exactly you should minister, and what exactly you should talk about, share, or teach. There are probably many times before where you feel you have hit a wall and have no idea what to share.

Ministering to others need not be difficult or complicated. Perhaps there was a talk you particularly enjoyed listening to recently at church - you could talk about that. Maybe a lesson really hit home with you that you could share with someone and discuss together.

What have you learned in your daily study of the scriptures?

Do you have a favourite hymn that fills you with peace?

What are the latest words of the prophets and apostles from General Conference or in the Church magazines?

What does this individual or family need, and what gospel principle or teaching would help them realise that need?

There are many simple messages that we can share to make a difference in other people's lives. Choose something you like, and share it with those you minister to, TODAY!

V for Vision

 

The A-Z of Ministering by Duncan Horne

Ministering describes the collective and organised effort in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where members keep in regular contact with one another to offer spiritual support and welfare assistance

"V" post

I hope you can catch the vision of what ministering can be. This is our chance to make a difference in someone's life. Can you see that when we forget about ourselves and our problems, and begin serving and caring for others, we are automatically blessed? Not to mention blessing the lives of those we minister to.

Yes, I understand that ministering is not always easy and that some people are difficult to contact or unresponsive. But if we have a vision of what is possible, our duty can be transformative for us, for others, for the entire church.

If we each do our part and develop a vision for those we minister to, I'm quite certain that the spirit of togetherness and love and strength can unite an entire branch or ward.

Start by building a vision of what you see for the individuals and families you minister to. Then act on that vision in small and simple ways.

U for Using your handphone

 

The A-Z of Ministering by Duncan Horne

Ministering describes the collective and organised effort in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where members keep in regular contact with one another to offer spiritual support and welfare assistance

"U" post

Your handphone is probably going to be the most important tool in your ministering efforts. While we don't want to spend excessive time on it, we can however, use it for much good.

It is a convenient tool to quickly share an uplifting message. We can use it to arrange a meeting. We can send a voice message or even compose a video. It's the next best thing to having face-to-face discussions.

The entire gospel library is on our phones, and material can be shared in a few touches.

If we use them right, our handphones can be a personal Liahona, bringing faithful messages to both us and those we share them with.

Set a goal to use most of the time on your phone for gospel purposes including study, sharing the gospel, and ministering.

 

T for Talk to your EQ or RS President

 

The A-Z of Ministering by Duncan Horne

Ministering describes the collective and organised effort in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where members keep in regular contact with one another to offer spiritual support and welfare assistance

"T" Post

Ministering is both individual, companionship, and team effort. Your Elders Quorum or Relief Society President will contact you regularly to ask for an accounting of your work. Use this opportunity to analyse how you've been doing and seek for ways to re-commit and improve.

You don't need to wait for your presiding President to ask, either. Talk with your President or the counselor assigned to you. Share your success stories, struggles, even complaints! Ask for advice or help.

This is a team effort and the President bears responsibility for Ministering.

Update your President regularly and see how your enthusiasm and diligence to minister increases.

S for Small and simple things

 

The A-Z of Ministering by Duncan Horne

Ministering describes the collective and organised effort in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where members keep in regular contact with one another to offer spiritual support and welfare assistance

"S" Post

We often think that some wondrous miracle or supernatural spiritual event is needed to confirm our faith.

We might think that detailed, immaculately planned lessons are needed to minister to an individual or family.

In both cases, it's just not often like that!

Ministering to other church members need not be big and bold, just as receiving personal revelation and knowledge is neither big nor bold. Both can be done step by step where oftentimes, simple things have large impacts.

More often than not, it's the small and simple things that make the biggest difference in people's lives. Alma counselled: "ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass." (Alma 37:6)

Look for basic ways to share gospel messages and to promote faith, hope and charity on a consistent basis. Avoid over-complicating things and focus on the pure doctrine of Jesus Christ.

R for Report

 

The A-Z of Ministering by Duncan Horne

Ministering describes the collective and organised effort in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where members keep in regular contact with one another to offer spiritual support and welfare assistance

"R" post

Unlike the previous method of 'home teaching' where numbers of people contacted/visited were recorded and the pressure always seemed on to visit everyone to report 100%, the new system of 'ministering' focuses less on numbers and more on people.

Each month, the EQ and RS Presidencies will follow-up with assigned ministers to check on their assignments, and how those they minister to are doing. Each quarter, ministers will be required to give a report of their ministering work, where they can discuss with a leader about the skills, talents, struggles and work done with the members of the church.

This information can help the EQ and RS Presidents be more informed of the people they serve, and assist them in planning to serve, teach and guide church members, address their needs, and help them to be more involved in the church. It can also help Branch Presidencies in planning sacrament services and administering welfare to those in need.

If you are a minister, be prepared to be accountable for your work to your EQ or RS Presidencies. Also realise that ultimately, we are all accountable to the Lord for our efforts to do His will.

Q for Quickly!

 

The A-Z of ministering by Duncan Horne

Ministering describes the collective and organised effort in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where members keep in regular contact with one another to offer spiritual support and welfare assistance

"Q" post

As we begin to minister seriously and diligently, we will receive revelatory promptings, urges, thoughts and ideas through the Holy Ghost. These spiritual messages should be acted on quickly! They tend to fade from memory if not immediately pursued.

Such messages need to be sent quickly to those we minister to; often it turns out to be something that someone absolutely needs to hear in that very moment. Send a WhatsApp or SMS text, compose a voice message, record a short video, make a phone call, send a note to a front door.

We can then rest assured that we have obeyed the voice of the Spirit. 

When we quickly act on such revelation, we are certain to receive more. So make the habit of writing down the revelation you receive. Show the Lord that it's meaningful and important to you. 

P for President Nelson

 

The A-Z of Ministering by Duncan Horne

Ministering describes the collective and organised effort in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where members keep in regular contact with one another to offer spiritual support and welfare assistance

"P" post

President Nelson, the living prophet, initiated the ministering program for the church. He said, "it is our privilege to act in the name of Jesus Christ to bless God's children according to His will for them. Just think of the remarkable assurance the Lord gave us when he said, 'whosoever you bless I will bless.'

"We will implement a newer, holier approach to caring for and ministering to others. Effective ministering efforts are enabled by the innate gifts of the sisters and by the incomparable power of the priesthood.

"A hallmark of the Lord's true and living Church will always be an organised, directed effort to minister to individual children of God and their families.

"I invite you to inspire members to keep their covenants, fast and pray, study the scriptures, worship in the temple, and serve with faith as men and women of God."

Choose something from these words of President Nelson to motivate you in your ministering efforts this week.

O for Organised ministering

 

The A-Z of Ministering by Duncan Horne

Ministering describes the collective and organised effort in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where members keep in regular contact with one another to offer spiritual support and welfare assistance

"O" post

The ministering program in a ward or branch is an organised effort to care for members so that each and every member is cared for and no-one is forgotten.

"...and their names were taken, that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way..." (Moroni 6:4)

As such, it is vital that each ministering brother and ministering sister do their part in looking after the individuals and families assigned to them. 

Ministering efforts in this organised structure can be very flexible. From visiting in homes, at church, in the community, to service, a phone call, email or text, we cater to each individual in a personalised way by asking for the Holy Spirit's guidance and then acting immediately on promptings we receive. We invite people to draw near to Christ and walk his covenant path.

Elders Quorum and Relief Society Presidents prayerfully organise ministering lists and follow-up with ministers monthly.

Quarterly interviews are also held by leaders as part of this organised structure.

See yourself as an important part of walking side by side with Jesus the Master Minister as you care for the people of your ward or branch.

N for Now is the time!

 

The A-Z of Ministering by Duncan Horne

Ministering describes the collective and organised effort in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where members keep in regular contact with one another to offer spiritual support and welfare assistance

"N" post

This will be similar to my "Q" post coming in a few days time. But it's something I feel strongly about.

NOW is the time!

If there is something good you want to do, then do it now! The longer we delay action, the more likely it will never get done.

In Ministering, we may feel like something would be good to share with someone. An all too common response is "Oh, I'll do it later." My request today is to not put off righteous action for later, don't wait for someone else to do it first or tell you to do it, don't cast a spiritual prompting aside. Instead, do it now!

The great teacher of the gospel, Amulek, exhorted: "now is the time and day of your salvation...this life is the time for men to perform their labors."

We can't immediately know of all of God's plans, they only unfold as we act immediately. 

Concerning gathering records and organising them, Mormon wrote: "for thus it whispereth me, according to the workings of the Spirit of the Lord which is in me. And now, I do not know all things; but the Lord knoweth all things which are to come; wherefore, he worketh in me to do according to his will."

I have had a number of experiences where I have shared a gospel insight with someone via text message, and they have replied that it was just what they needed right then! 

We have to trust the Lord on this!

When the Spirit whispers to us and invites us to act, to share, to talk, to uplift, let us do it NOW and not delay.

M for Minister

 

The A-Z of Ministering by Duncan Horne

Ministering describes the collective and organised effort in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where members keep in regular contact with one another to offer spiritual support and welfare assistance

"M" post

A minister is a preacher or teacher of religion. Ministers may be specifically called to perform certain duties in a church. A minister may also be assigned to watch over and strengthen individuals and families.

A minister keeps track of people outside of Sunday meetings ( as well as on Sundays too ). To minister is to get to know people, to be their friend, to be somebody they can comfortably turn to for help, and to share with them gospel messages of faith, hope and righteousness.

When ministering work is reported and held to account, it becomes a serious duty that blesses both the minister and the recipient.

A living prophet of this day has initiated and emphasised the importance of ministering to one another. Make it an important part of your religious obligations.

L for Love

 

The A-Z of Ministering by Duncan Horne

Ministering describes the collective and organised effort in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where members keep in regular contact with one another to offer spiritual support and welfare assistance

"L" post

"As I have loved you, love one another,

By this shall men know ye are my disciples,

If ye have love one to another."

Jesus Christ set the reason for everything we do in the church: love.

"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."

Elder M. Russell Ballard taught: "It is only when we love God and Christ with all of our hearts, souls, and minds that we are able to share this love with our neighbours through acts of kindness and service." He explained that a "place where we have ample opportunity to serve is in the church. Our wards and branches should be places where the Golden Rule always guides our words and actions toward each other. By treating each other kindly, speaking words of support and encouragement, and being sensitive to each other's needs, we can create loving unity among members."

This is a perfect description of what our motivation should be as we minister to members of our ward or branch. Take a few moments to assess the 'why' of your ministering and align it if necessary with the Saviour's example of love.

K for Keep standards high

 

The A-Z of Ministering by Duncan Horne

Ministering describes the collective and organised effort in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where members keep in regular contact with one another to offer spiritual support and welfare assistance

"K" post

It is true that we can't lift someone up if we are not up there ourselves first. In order to strengthen someone else's testimony, our testimony must first be thriving.

To effectively minister to others, we must know how to minister to ourselves by continually seeking nourishment through prayer, revelation, and scripture study.

Even small daily steps will ensure that we are keeping our standards high. Then we can be a kind and gentle yet firm and true influence to those we minister to.

Take some time to review your daily habits and how you daily refresh yourself with spiritual sustenance. Then consider what things you could share with others as you minister to them.

J for Jesus Christ

 

The A-Z of Ministering by Duncan Horne

Ministering describes the collective and organised effort in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where members keep in regular contact with one another to offer spiritual support and welfare assistance

"J" post

Would you more eagerly minister if Jesus Christ visited you and personally asked you to do it? Would you then see it as a priority in your discipleship? Would you devotedly connect with and minister to the people in your church, particularly those few you have been asked to watch over?

Jesus Christ has personally endorsed the Ministering program of the church!

He stands at the head of his church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and reveals his will to his anointed servants, the prophets and apostles.

The Elders Quorum President and Relief Society President are responsible to oversee ministering in their branch or ward. They will work with you and encourage you in this great work.

Ministering is now our duty for these times we live in. This is the way we can show our love for God and our love for others. This is one of the ways we can help to gather Israel.

I for In the Saviour's Way

 

The A-Z of Ministering by Duncan Horne

Ministering describes the collective and organised effort in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where members keep in regular contact with one another to offer spiritual support and welfare assistance

"I" post

The Saviour Jesus Christ perfectly understands the worth of a soul. When we catch the vision of how important each and every person is to him, we will minister out of pure love.

We will try to emulate the Saviour and his way of teaching. He taught in parables which were relatable and easy to be understood by the people; we can also share things that are relatable to the individuals and families we minister to. They will be personalised messages of love. 

Jesus was also quick to forgive, eager to serve, preached the doctrine of repentance and faith in him, and healed the sick at every opportunity they sought after him. He dedicated his life to doing his Father's will.

The Saviour's way is the perfect example for us to follow.

H for Happiness at Home

 

The A-Z of Ministering by Duncan Horne

Ministering describes the collective and organised effort in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where members keep in regular contact with one another to offer spiritual support and welfare assistance

"H" post

Everything we do in church is designed to create happiness at home. The home and family is central to God's plan of happiness for us. As we live through the covid era, individual and family responsibility for spiritual conversion has shifted away from the church, and to the home.

But that doesn't mean we are left alone. The church has ministers and missionaries assigned to help watch over the church and ensure that members are happy at home.

As a minister, we could ask ourselves, "what can I do to invite people to be more happy at home?"

Perhaps you could share a church video, a quote from a leader, or something you have learned in your gospel study, or emphasise the necessity of individual/family prayer and scripture study.

Where possible, you can informally meet in members' homes for short visits to speak of the gospel and be a friend to them, and help their home to be a place where the Spirit dwells.