It Is All About The People - Bishop Gerald Causse
...the Church is all about people. It is all about you, the Lord’s disciples—those who love and follow Him and who have taken His name upon them by covenant.
Isn’t it wonderful that the name given by revelation to the restored Church binds together the two most important elements in each gospel covenant? First is the name Jesus Christ. This Church belongs to Him, and His sanctifying Atonement and covenants are the only pathway to salvation and exaltation. The second name refers to us: the Saints, or in other words, His witnesses and His disciples.
President M. Russell Ballard taught, “What is most important in our Church responsibilities is not the statistics that are reported or the meetings that are held but whether or not individual people—ministered to one at a time just as the Savior did—have been lifted and encouraged and ultimately changed.”
I bear witness that this Church is the Church of Jesus Christ. Its strength and vitality come from the daily actions of millions of His disciples who strive each day to follow His supreme example by caring for others. Christ lives and He directs this Church. President Russell M. Nelson is the prophet whom He has chosen to lead and guide us in our days.
Ministering -
****Ministering Interviews for those in District #3 will be held next Sunday - September 16th following our church block. Please see the Ministering assignment list to see what time you should come. ***Meet at the front of the chapel for interviews in the empty bishopric office and High Priest room.
(Continued from article in Sept. 2018 Ensign)
These are ideas shared in the Ensign article titled - Ministering Principles - Council About Their Needs -
1. Counseling with Heavenly Father -
One of the central tenets of our faith is that Heavenly Father speaks to His children (see Articles of Faith 1:9). When we receive a new assignment to minister to someone, we should counsel with Heavenly Father in prayer, seeking insight and understanding into their needs and strengths. That process of counseling through prayer should continue throughout our ministering assignment.
2. Counseling with Individuals and Families -
How and when we approach the individuals and families we are called to serve may vary depending on the circumstances, but counseling directly with the individual or family is essential for building relationships and understanding their needs, including how they want to be helped. Some questions may need to wait until a meaningful relationship has developed. While there’s no one right way to do that, consider the following:
-Find out how and when they prefer to be contacted.
-Learn about their interests and backgrounds.
-Come with suggestions for how you could help, and ask for their suggestions.
As we build trust, consider discussing individual or family needs. Ask questions as prompted by the Holy Ghost.
For example:
What are the challenges they face?
What are their family or individual goals? For example, do they want to be better at holding regular family home evening or be more self-reliant?
How can we help them with their goals and challenges?
What gospel ordinances are coming up in their lives? How can we help them prepare?
Remember to offer specific help, such as, “Which night can we bring a meal to you this week?” A vague offer, like, “Let us know if there’s anything we can do,” is not very helpful.
(More next week!)
Announcements -
September 9, 2018, at 6:00 p.m., Elder Quentin L. Cook will host a Face to Face event for young adults. This will be combined with a worldwide devotional. The event will be broadcast live from historic Nauvoo, Illinois, and will focus on the Restoration of the gospel. Elder Cook will be joined by two Church historians, Sister Kate Holbrook and Brother Matt Grow. They will answer questions from young adults from around the world. **This will be broadcast at the stake center.
September 13th, Thursday (***Note date change) - We invite you to attend a NEW Scripture Study class led by Jeanne Davis in the Primary Room of our (South) building at 7:00 p.m. (Normally this class will be held each third Thursday of the month, but because of the conflict with the fireside by Brother Horsley, we bumped the date ahead a week. Please put this on your calendars for the third Thursday in the future.)
September 16th - One Time Stake Choir Practice for Stake Conference, will be held at the stake center at 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, September 22nd - Barn Dance, held at the Russell Barn in Avon starting at 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, September 23rd - Special Stake Conference - 10am (Sunday only - no Saturday meeting will be held) It will be broadcast to the Paradise Buildings. We will have a visiting General Authority.)
October 6th and 7th - GENERAL CONFERENCE - We encourage you to get this on your calendars.
Released -
Austin and Carolyn Knowles as Primary Teachers
Congratulations to -
McKay Haslam on his Deacon Ordination
Carson Godfrey on his Teacher Ordination
Relief Society Lessons -
September 16 - Prepare to Meet God - Elder Cook
September 23 - Special Stake Conference broadcast in our building at 10 a.m.
September 30 - There are many ways we can minister to others.
October 6-7 - General Conference
Birthdays -
Sept. 9th - Kris Blankman
Sept. 10 - Kathy Boyer
Sept. 11 - Joanna Butler
Sept. 14. - Charlene Heaton
Sept. 15 - Carole Warburton
