Leadership for Saints: Part 52
Questions That Improve Your Meetings
by Rodger Dean Duncan and Ed J. Pinegar
As we discussed last time,
the “little things” really do make a difference in your
meetings.
In a council setting, one
of those “little things” is the kind of questions you ask
to generate good discussion and to tap the wisdom and ingenuity
of the participants.
Here’s a continuation of
that kind of question:
6. Initiate action.
a. Sister Thorne, how would you suggest we proceed
with this?
b.
I’d like some suggestions on ways to move forward.
Brother Grady, how would you propose we get started?
7. Explore an idea in more detail.
a. What are some other ways
to approach this issue?
b. What other factors should we consider?
c. Sister Sanford, what would you add to what has
been said?
a. I notice that two or three have done most of
the talking on this issue.
Let’s go around the table to see how others feel.
b. Would it help if we distilled our discussion
into bullet points on the chalkboard?
a. Let’s give Brother Howard a chance to share
with us his views.
b. Sister Randall, you’ve been listening carefully.
What would you say about this issue?
10. Question assumptions.
a. This approach assumes that our missionaries
are getting plenty of member referrals.
Is that right?
b. Your concern seems to assume that not enough
workers will accept the assignment?
Has that been your actual experience?
a. Brother Nixon, why don’t you take the role of
a home teacher for a moment?
Now, as a home teacher, how would you approach this
situation?
b. Sister Ames, if you were in the Laurel class,
what kind of activity would be most useful in teaching that
principle?
c. If you were Mom and Dad, what would you do?
12. Look into the future.
a. If this plan works the way we hope it will,
in what ways will it bless the widows in the ward?
b. What do you envision as the specific advantages
of doing it this way?
As you work to stimulate
participation, be careful to maintain a friendly and inviting
tone. In the interest of clarification you may need
to ask questions, but remember that you’re not out to prove
anything.
Your purpose is to build
a sense of unity in moving the Lord’s work forward.
Your questions should feel
conversational and gracious, not like a courtroom cross-examination.
Great leaders are affirming.
While bringing out the best in others, they help
people around them feel welcome, accepted and comfortable.
Special Thoughts for Sacrament
Meeting
Sacrament meeting is the
week’s only gathering of saints that is for every member
of the local congregation.
By definition, it is the
time and place to partake of the sacred emblems representing
the Savior’s sacrifice and atonement.
It is where we gather to sing hymns of praise and
anthems that proclaim the divinity of our creator and the
reality of the restoration.
It is where we “seek diligently and teach one another
words of wisdom” (D&C 88:118).
Moreover, sacrament meeting is where local priesthood
leaders model meeting behavior.
Priesthood leaders: When
you plan and conduct your next sacrament meeting, think
of Cheerios.
Yes, Cheerios. You know,
that breakfast cereal that is sometimes crunched into the
carpet in the chapel. It’s there because that sweet young
mother wrestling four pre-schoolers (you know the one, her
husband is probably in the foyer comforting the baby) is
devotedly attending all her meetings. She feeds the Cheerios
to her toddlers to help keep them quiet. She faithfully
listens to the Spirit, and she is depending on you to help
provide a meeting experience of edification, not just endurance.
The tone and feel of sacrament
meeting should be reverent, welcoming and comfortable. And every detail should be “buttoned down”
so that the emphasis is on ministering rather than administering.
Announcements should be
kept at a minimum (the printed bulletin is an appropriate
place for such information).
All participants should be prepared and in their
places several minutes before the meeting begins.
(Next time: “So You’re
Giving a Talk …”)
A Quote Worth Remembering
…a carefully planned sacrament meeting
should be a spiritual feast in which we worship and learn
of our Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son, our Lord and
Savior, Jesus Christ. … it would be wise to invite suggestions
from counselors and ward council members on ways to make
every sacrament meeting a more reverent, spiritual experience.
Let the councils also help teach our members that the chapel
is a special place … the auxiliary presidents could teach
in their meetings the need to improve reverence in sacrament
meeting. – M. Russell
Ballard
Note:
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