“Who Do I Work With?” My Calling as a Counselor in the Bishopric (2020).
“Who Do I Work With?” My Calling as a Counselor in the Bishopric.
My Calling as a Counselor in the Bishopric
Who Do I Work With?
Members of the Ward
Build sincere relationships with the members in your ward to help them feel loved and help them come unto Christ. Reach out to each of them as the Savior would (see Luke 18:16). Encourage them to seek the guidance of the Spirit in fulfilling their sacred roles as disciples of Jesus Christ.
Bishopric
As a counselor in the bishopric, you support and sustain the bishop as you accept and prayerfully fulfill responsibilities he may delegate to you. You also seek inspiration so that you can use your unique gifts to bless the members of the ward. During bishopric discussions, express your honest and sincere thoughts and feelings. This will help the bishop better understand different perspectives. When he makes a decision, support it as if it were your own. As the bishopric counsels together and seeks to follow the example of the Savior, you will gain insights and inspiration about how best to minister to one another and to those you serve.
Executive Secretary
The executive secretary acts as an administrative assistant to the bishopric. He attends bishopric and ward council meetings. He can assist you with following up on assignments, coordinating with ward leaders, and scheduling appointments.
Ward Clerk
The ward clerk provides administrative support to the bishopric. He attends bishopric and ward council meetings and takes notes on decisions made in those meetings. He also works with the finance and membership records of the ward.
Ward Leaders
Help organize and delegate the work of the ward to other ward leaders so that all have opportunities to minister to the members and families under their stewardship. Help leaders understand their responsibility to create a spiritual and safe environment for all members, especially children, youth, and teachers. When adults are teaching children or youth in Church settings, at least two responsible adults should be present. Ensure that all leaders are familiar with and follow Church policies and guidelines on preventing and responding to abuse.
Ward Council and Ward Youth Council
You are a member of the ward council and the ward youth council. As a member of these councils, you have the responsibilities outlined in General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7.1.1.3; 29.2.5–29.2.6. You may also be assigned by the bishop to lead council meetings in his absence.
A ward council or ward youth council meeting should be a revelatory experience. Elder David A. Bednar taught the following about a ward council meeting: “We’ve been talking about a revelatory experience with the members of the ward council. And if members of councils, if members of families, as they come together, would think in terms of ‘I’m preparing to participate in a revelatory experience with my family’ instead of going to a meeting—a revelatory experience with the members of the ward council—I think we would prepare and act much differently” (in M. Russell Ballard, in “Panel Discussion” [worldwide leadership training meeting, Nov. 2010], broadcasts.ChurchofJesusChrist.org).
Stake Presidency
The stake presidency will be a resource to you, providing support and ongoing encouragement. In stake training meetings, you will receive instruction to help in your service.
High Councilor
The stake high councilor assigned to your ward will be a great resource to you and your ward. He can provide training and communication between the ward and the stake. He may be invited to attend bishopric and ward council meetings.