Brethren of the High Council…
Not long ago I studied Elder Holland’s masterful October 2016 conference talk, “Emissaries to the Church.” That led to a growing feeling in my heart that we can-- and should--do more to improve the effectiveness of home teaching, as long as those changes fall within the guidelines set forth in the Handbook and by Elder Holland.
Whether we get 100% home teaching is not the question or goal. Home teaching is not considered one of the 9 "Key Indicators of Conversion and Church Growth” (see Quarterly Report). It is simply a tool to achieve a higher purpose: engage priesthood holders in providing effective priesthood watch care over all individuals and families in our stake in hopes of influencing those "Key Indicators" in every home.
So, as a stake presidency, we have discussed and drafted the attached 2-page document for you to review before we introduce it at Bishopric Training on April 18. In short, it opens the door, even gives encouragement, for ward / branch priesthood leaders to modify their approach to home teaching to provide true priesthood watch care over individuals and families in their ward or branch. We do not desire to dictate a change, but offer suggestions and give an assurance of stake support if the bishopric/branch presidency, and PEC members, choose to approach home teaching differently, as per Elder Holland’s plea—changing it from a calendar-driven, guilt-generating priesthood duty to priesthood watch care.
This is a timely discussion because home teaching is a key element in our ongoing stake training on ministering visits.
As the Stake PEC, we are teaching that:
• Ward/branch councils are to implement Covenant Path with regular ministering visits by ward leaders;
• MP quorum leaders are to conduct weekly ministering visits;
• AP quorum leaders are to conduct regular ministering visits;
• Stake Presidency and Ward Bishoprics / Branch Presidencies are to conduct ministering visits in conjunction with all ward/branch conferences;
• Ward/branch and full-time missionaries (and ultimately everyone) are to “help people make and keep commitments” (PMG, Chapter 11) in their ministering visits.
Will you please review Elder Holland’s talk again https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/10/emissaries-to-the-church?lang=eng and then review the attached 2-page document with suggestions on "Home Teaching - A Better Way?”
And then, if you wish to comment, will you please reply by this Saturday, April 8, either to “All” or at least to the Stake Presidency with your thoughts and feelings?
Due to the need to abbreviate our PEC meeting this Sunday, we will not have a lengthy time to discuss this document as a council. And, unfortunately, we don’t have another PEC meeting before Bishopric Training scheduled for Tuesday, April 18. So, for now, we ask that you express your feelings, i.e. discuss this, via email.
Thank you for giving this your consideration and for providing feedback and counsel.
President Lewis
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