Principles of Making Ministering Assignments

2 May 2018

As ward/branch Relief Society and elders quorum presidencies meet together to discuss ministering assignments, we encourage you to consider the following principles to ensure our ministering efforts become so much more than the old home and visiting teaching with a different name.

1. PREPARE TO BE LED BY THE SPIRIT: Consider reviewing examples in the scriptures of Jesus ministering. Because you have been directed by a Prophet to counsel together on making ministering assignments, have confidence the Lord will  inspire you. Watch for that settled feeling that rests upon you as decisions are made.

2. Reduce and Simplify: Avoid burdening your assigned ministering companions by assigning only 4-5 households to each companionship, including no more than three that need focused attention. There may be occasions where households of active couples, especially those with no children at home, may not need double coverage. An example would be to assign only ministering brothers, but not sisters, to those homes.

3. INVOLVE EVERYONE: All members ages 14 and up should be assigned to participate in the ministering effort. Hopefully the added numbers will lighten the load on those companionships already burdened. Remember, some older adults, who are confined by age or disability, may only be able to make contact by telephone, email or social media. They can do that much and it is acceptable, assuming the needs are not great.

4. IDENTIFY NEEDS: Using information from the ward council and from former home and visiting teachers, identify the needs of every household—individual or family. Prayerfully ponder how and who would be best suited to help address those needs. You might ask: Is the priesthood in the home? Do they have temporal or health needs? Are they active? Are they in need often? Do they need frequent personal visits?

5. EVALUATE COMPANIONS: In some ways we should evaluate companionships just as we consider the needs of those to be ministered. Consider all the brothers and sisters in your ward or branch, including those less-active, and ponder on their personalities, their depth of devotion and what type of companionship would fit their personal time and talents. Then ask would they be most effective as a married couple, or as a mentor, or as one to be mentored?

6. MENTOR YOUTH: Work closely with the ward Young Women’s and Young Men’s presidencies to identify all the Mia Maids, Laurels, Teachers and Priests and ensure all are given an opportunity to serve and be mentored in this ministering effort.

7. CONSIDER RELATIONSHIPS: When considering companions and their assignments, remember that some have developed deep relationships after years of  home or visiting teaching. It doesn’t mean a change should not happen, but in some cases those relationships may serve as a foundation of friendship that can lead to more effective ministering.

8. GIVE PRIORITY TO NEEDS: Assign ministering brothers and sisters to no more than two or three households where focused attention is needed. Active members should be assigned, but usually receive much less attention, such as an occasional visit at church or a quarterly visit to the home. In short, identify the needs of the members, whether active or less-active, and assign accordingly sharing your expectations with the companionships.

9. TEACH ACCOUNTABILITY: When making assignments, teach the companionships that they will be held accountable for those assigned to them. Instruct them that both companions (or at least one) will be expected to report once a quarter on the temporal and spiritual condition of the individuals or families assigned to them. Teach them they will be asked questions such as “How is the individual or family doing?”—not “Did you visit them?” Establish a set day, time and place for their quarterly ministering report and provide them with the name and phone number they are to call when a more urgent need arises.

10. SEEK MEMBERS’ DIRECTION: It is appropriate for ministering companionships to ask those they visit for guidance on how they want to be ministered to. Ministering is not to be an annoyance, but customized to the needs and desires of those we minister to. We are to be respectful of their time, interest and acceptance of contact.

11. BE PROMPT: Do not delay. As instructed by Church leaders, take action as quickly as possible to put our ministering efforts into practice. Begin conducting ministering interviews soon and spread them over the three months of the quarter.