Thursday, April 17, 2008
Priesthood Session
6 months ago we had our last Stake Conference.
Elder Porter said something in this meeting that I hope we all heard, and have done something about. He said “Brethren, the time is very close. If you ware waiting to get ready you will be too late. You will be like the foolish virgins who knew he was coming, but who delayed their preparations.”
I was reminded of this just a couple of weeks ago when I got to meet with 60 other Stake Presidents and have Elder Bateman present some of the changes that are occurring in the church to better strengthen the church and prepare for the coming of the Savior..
I wanted to take some time and talk through with you some of the things I was taught in that meeting, and hope that you’ll get that same spirit I received. And that together we can work on preparing each other, our families, and our quorums and wards to receive these things.
CONCERN #1 – International Church
* There are 192 established counties throughout the world. We are actively preaching in 173 of those countries. That’s fewer than 20 countries to go before we are in every country in the world. When I first heard this I was shocked. I thought we had hundreds of countries to go. I believed that there were hundreds if not thousands of countries. So I came home and looked it up. He was right on target. That’s important.
The brethren are working very hard, and are very focused on closing the gap.
How? Several years ago they sent members of the Quorum of the 12 over to some far flung countries. Now they are sending the quorums of the seventy overseas to find ways to strengthen the international church. They have found that because of the 4th, 5th,and 6th generation maturity of the leaders and the members in the US and Canada, that they can leave the Stakes to run themselves with a minimum of oversight and management.
To this end, they have released all the area presidencies in the US and Canada.
* They have given us Area Authority seventies to support us, but not to direct us. We report directly to the member of the 7 presidents of 70 who directs us. That is elder Bateman.
They are asking Stake Presidencies to take more responsibility regarding all aspects of ecclesiastical and church management. To understand the real needs of our Stake members, and then drive goals and programs to help uplift and strengthen the Stake in ways which are needed.
They are putting in place committees to help drive area wide programs – like the celebration activities which are being put in place..
CONCERN #2 – Attendance
* As an area our attendance level averages about 48-49%. It has been very very flat.
This is above the worldwide averages…but is still very poor when you look at where we are located…the heart of Zion. There are some areas which are doing much better than we are, and some much worse.
Note that the highest year for attendance was the year 2000. Unbelievable isn’t it?
Pres Hinkley is concerned that of all the indicators of the health of our people, that our attendance is one of the most important. Whenever he rolls out a new plan or program; whenever he teaches members to do something. He will check progress against sacrament attendance. If it doesn’t impact the bottom line, it is a challenge for him.
* As a Stake we average 39-42% for the last few years. Which is below the rest of the area. I believe that the maturity of our wards should make us able to at least meet the Area average.
Elder Bateman has asked us as a Stake to increase our attendance at Sacrament meetings by 1%. That equates to only about 5-6 people per ward.
Bishops – can you accept the challenge to increase sacrament meeting attendance by 5 or 6 people by the end of the year?
* Talk to your councils to determine the best way to find 6 lost people in your wards.
Perhaps you’re carrying 6 people on your rolls who should not be on your rolls – clean up the lists.
Perhaps you have some youth who are sleeping in on Sunday mornings. Get your youth leaders to go by and pick em up.
Perhaps you have some young single adults who are not attending any branch, but you’ve assumed that they were going somewhere. Invite them to return to your ward.
Perhaps you’ve got some homebound people in your ward who you take the sacrament to, but who you haven’t been counting on your attendance rolls. They count too.
Please do some brainstorming in your next PEC/Council meeting and see what plans you can put in place.
CONCERN #3 – Youth- Young Single Adults
Ordinations not being completed
Robes of Righeousness
Duty to God, Scouting, YW Personal Progress
Increased responsibility in wards
Deception of single’s wards
CONCERN #4 – Missionary Effort
#s of Hispanics and non-members are increasing
Want them to feel welcome
Stake is responsible for accountability and training
Bishop is responsible for implementation – PEC, ward council
Hispanic Initiative
CONCERN #5 – Temple Worship
Asked us to spend our Saturday night session discussing temple worship
Interview all adults that will accept invitation to be interviewed (role of exec sec)
CONCERN #6 – Family strength
Role of Fathers
Use of Priesthood in homes
Power of covenants
Brethren of the Priesthood. Start with making Christ the center of your personal life. Second help the savior help your family.
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