B for Bold, but not overbearing

 

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

'B' post

Members of your local church come in all kinds - children, youth, singles, married couples, the elderly, widows/widowers, men, women, those who are strong in faith, those who are lost, those who are barely hanging on by a thread, those who are leaders, those who are followers, those in good health, those who struggle with all sorts of health issues.

The point is, we can boldly preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and never diminish the standards and commandments, but at the same time, we can be sensitive and gentle to each individual or family's weaknesses or struggles in their life and their spirituality.

Elder Clark G. Gilbert

Elder Clark G. Gilbert commented on this balancing act he encountered while serving with a group of youth: "It was tempting to confuse my empathy and concern for their situation with a desire to lower God's standards. I eventually realised that the most powerful way to show my love was to never lower my expectations." He went on to note that their growth in the gospel was gradual but steady.

Try teaching the truth boldly, but coupled with a love for those you minister to. Instead of thinking "why don't they live the gospel like I do?" you could try thinking "how can I help them find the blessings of living the gospel?"

Boldly declaring the simple gospel of Jesus Christ in love can draw lost souls back and reignite fading faith.