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Appendix: Some Basic Duties and Responsibilities

“Appendix: Some Basic Duties and Responsibilities,” Administering Appropriately: A Handbook for CES Leaders and Teachers (2003), 39–40

“Appendix,” Administering Appropriately, 39–40

Appendix: Some Basic Duties and Responsibilities

The objective of religious education in the Church Educational System is to assist the individual, the family, and priesthood leaders in accomplishing the mission of the Church, which is to invite all to “come unto Christ, and be perfected in him” (Moroni 10:32; see also D&C 20:59). To accomplish this objective, CES leaders and teachers are given a commission to live the gospel, teach effectively, and administer appropriately.1 Training and assessment in CES addresses basic duties and responsibilities associated with the three parts of the commission. Each individual must identify and incorporate many gospel principles when striving to fulfill the commission. Among the most basic duties and responsibilities for each part of the commission are those discussed below.

Live the Gospel

The following are among the basic duties and responsibilities for leaders and teachers, as emphasized by Church and CES leaders for living the gospel:

  • Love the Lord and your fellow men.

  • Live worthy of and seek the companionship of the Holy Ghost.

  • Be worthy of and hold a temple recommend.

  • Learn and live by gospel principles and doctrines as found in the standard works and the words of the prophets.

  • Maintain honesty and integrity.

  • Nurture family relationships.

  • Maintain proper relationships with others.

  • Maintain an atmosphere free from the spirit of contending, competing, criticizing, or complaining.

  • Accept and magnify Church callings.

  • Meet all financial obligations.

  • Follow the counsel of the leaders of the Church relating to living the gospel.

Teach Effectively

The following are among the basic duties and responsibilities for teaching effectively, emphasized in Teaching the Gospel: A Handbook for CES Teachers and Leaders (2001):

  • Teach the gospel by the Spirit in a way that leads to edification (see handbook, p. 2).

  • Teach students the gospel of Jesus Christ as found in the standard works and words of the prophets (see handbook, pp. 3–5).

  • Maintain doctrinal purity (see handbook, p. 4).

  • Teach students by precept and example (see handbook, p. 5).

  • Provide a spiritual and social climate (see handbook, p. 5).

  • Prepare young people for effective Church service (see handbook, pp. 5–6).

  • Invite the Spirit during lesson preparation and lesson presentation (see handbook, pp. 12–13).

  • Help students accept their role in gospel learning by stimulating readiness, maintaining participation, and aiding with application (see handbook, pp. 13–15).

  • Assist students with limited abilities or with disabilities (see handbook, p. 15).

  • Effectively decide what and how to teach (see handbook, pp. 20–23).

  • Establish and maintain an appropriate setting for learning (see handbook, pp. 24–28).

  • Acquire and effectively use scripture study and teaching skills (see handbook, pp. 32–43).

  • Help students acquire and effectively use scripture study skills and memorize key scriptural passages (see handbook, pp. 32–35).

  • Testify of gospel principles and doctrines (see handbook, p. 34).

  • Follow and encourage others to follow the counsel of the leaders of the Church and CES leaders relating to teaching effectively.

Administer Appropriately

The following are among the basic duties and responsibilities for administering, emphasized in this handbook:

  • Assist individuals, families, and priesthood leaders in accomplishing the mission of the Church (see pp. 4–7).

  • Assist with student enrollment and encourage completion (see p. 6).

  • Administer using true principles (see pp. 8–9).

  • Understand CES assignments, programs, policies, and materials (see pp. 10–14).

  • Develop divine potential and promote professional growth (see pp. 15–17).

  • Provide Christlike leadership (see pp. 18–19).

  • Use councils and committees effectively in CES leadership (see pp. 22–23).

  • Manage information, programs, and resources (see pp. 24–25).

  • Make wise and timely decisions (see pp. 27–28).

  • Delegate responsibilities wisely (see pp. 29–30).

  • Assess teaching and administering (see pp. 31–32).

  • Provide training (see pp. 33–34).

  • Interview and counsel appropriately (see pp. 36–38).

  • Follow and assist others in following the counsel of Church and CES leaders relating to administering appropriately.

Notes

  1. See Teaching the Gospel: A Handbook (2001), 3–4.