Ideas on how to involve more members in missionary work

In an effort to get more members involved in the “Gathering of Scattered Israel” (Missionary work) here are some ideas for leaders to consider:

• MEMBERS AT LESSONS: Create a pool of members who would be willing to reply on short notice to attend missionary lessons with full-time missionaries.
• PRAY FOR INVESTIGATORS: Create a pool of members who would be willing to pray for investigators by name when invited by the full-time missionaries.
• MISSIONARIES OF THE WEEK: Each week assign different individuals and families to be the “go-to missionaries” for the week; each willing to: (1) pray for a missionary experience; (2) receive the full-time missionaries into their home during the week for a lesson or training; (3) watch the video “I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go” on lds.org and counsel together what does it mean to “Gather Scattered Israel” and discuss what each person in the home can do that week to help gather scattered Israel.
• INVITATION SUNDAYS: Schedule an Invitation Sunday at least 4 times per year and encourage every member to invite a friend to attend; maybe have a brief social after the two-hour meeting. Assign speakers who will address topics of interest to visitors and consider having a special musical number, including a number by the ward choir.  
• USE FAMILY HISTORY: Coordinate Ward or Branch Family History Consultants to visit assigned homes and train them on how to research their ancestors enough so they feel confident to invite their neighbors to learn about their family.
• USE SERVICE: Using the JustServe Committee as a resource, help individuals and families through assignment to participate in community service opportunities, preferably with other community members, and make new friends. Also consider regular service projects to involve new members, returning members and friends.
• MISSIONARY COMMITTEE: Establish a ward or branch Missionary Committee, under the direction of the designated RS and EQ counselors, and task the committee with coming up with ways to engage more members in the gathering of Israel.
• SPLITS WITH THE MISSIONARIES: Involve everyone, especially Laurels and Priests, in pairing off and making home visits with the full-time missionaries.

• SOCIAL MEDIA: Teach everyone how to share the gospel on social media, such as Facebook, Instagram, etc.
• REGULAR FASTS: Invite members to include the “Gathering of Israel” in their fasting and prayers each month or on a regular basis.
• BE AWARE OF NEEDS: Have the ward or branch clerk generate an updated report each month identifying all new converts, move-ins, part-member families, “focus” families, etc. for the RS and EQ counselors to review regularly and assign members to help with fellowshipping and ministering contacts.
• SERVE AS GREETERS: Rotate assignments regularly for members to serve as greeters to sacrament meetings and classrooms so everyone becomes acquainted with everyone, especially those who are new or visiting.
• WARD HOME EVENINGS: Regularly (monthly?) assign a family to conduct a “Ward Family Home Evening” in their home for new members, returning members and others to build unity and demonstrate how weekly FHE are conducted.
• MORE ACTIVITIES: Organize regular (monthly?) ward or branch activities that provide members more opportunities to invite friends and build unity among members. Activities can be simple such as potlucks, ice cream socials, board game nights, etc.
• MISSIONARY MOMENTS: While “Missionary Moments” may not be appropriate at the beginning of our 2nd hour classes, encourage members to share their missionary successes and excitement in testimony meetings, on social media, via broadcast emails, etc.
• YOUR OWN IDEAS: Use the Ward Council or Missionary Coordination Meetings to brainstorm and come up with your own ideas on how to help everyone participate in the gathering of Israel...without pressure or guilt.