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.

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. 

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.

F for Feeling gassed out?

 

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

"F" post

Life can be complicated. Life can be busy. School, work, children, studies, church callings, social engagements can all make us feel gassed out. 

Ministering is not a calling, but a voluntary effort. As such, it can oftentimes be at the bottom of long lists and sticky schedules. The last thing we may want to do after a super busy day is to think of spiritually uplifting messages to share with people we may not know very well, or in the knowledge that there may well not be a response to your outreach.

I invite you to take this matter to the Lord. Ministering is not a daily task that we must perform. We don't have to 'constantly' be checking up on people. Rather, we should 'consistently' be in contact with them.

'Consistently' may be once a week, or twice a month, or any time you receive an impression to share something with those you minister to.

Ministering is Jesus Christ's work which he invites us to participate in, to help our Father look after and gather His precious children to Him. 

Pray about the people you are asked to watch over. Pray about how to minister to them, and what to share. Pray that the Spirit may lead you and present opportunities for you to do this work.

Take some time to refill your gas, and then help fill one another's gas tanks!