WHAT IS MINISTERING?
The Savior showed by example what it means to minister as He served out of love for His Father and for each person (see John 15:9–10). He loved, taught, prayed for, comforted, and blessed those around Him, inviting all to follow Him (see Mark 8:34).
As Church members minister, they prayerfully seek to serve as He
would—to “comfort those that stand in need of comfort,” “watch over the
church always, and be with and strengthen them,” “visit the house of
each member,” and help each become a true disciple of Jesus Christ (Mosiah 18:9; D&C 20:53, 51; see also John 13:35).
As members minister, they determine through communication and inspiration the frequency and type of contact they have with those to whom they give care. They counsel with and render an account to their leaders at least once a quarter regarding their service and the needs and strengths of those for whom they have been invited to care. Leaders report these ministering interviews each quarter; they no longer report the number of visits or contacts made to individuals and families. In addition, through a priesthood link to each member, ministering brothers and sisters form a communication network leaders may use in a time of danger or emergency.
WHAT ARE THOSE WHO MINISTER CALLED?
As members minister, they determine through communication and inspiration the frequency and type of contact they have with those to whom they give care. They counsel with and render an account to their leaders at least once a quarter regarding their service and the needs and strengths of those for whom they have been invited to care. Leaders report these ministering interviews each quarter; they no longer report the number of visits or contacts made to individuals and families. In addition, through a priesthood link to each member, ministering brothers and sisters form a communication network leaders may use in a time of danger or emergency.
WHAT ARE THOSE WHO MINISTER CALLED?
Priesthood holders are referred to as “ministering brothers,” and
Relief Society sisters are referred to as “ministering sisters.”
Generally, they will simply be called by their names: “Brother Jones”
and “Sister Smith.” They are not referred to as “ministers.”
HOW IS MINISTERING SIMILAR TO AND DIFFERENT FROM HOME TEACHING AND VISITING TEACHING?
Ministering is similar to home teaching and visiting teaching in that each household will have priesthood brethren—ministering brothers—to minister to and care for the family or individuals who live there (see D&C 20:47, 59). Each adult sister will have members of the Relief Society—ministering sisters—to minister to and care for her, further reinforcing the emphasis on ministering shared by the Relief Society General Presidency beginning in January 2018 (see “Keep in Touch with Her Anytime, Anywhere, Any Way,” Ensign or Liahona, Jan. 2018, 7).
In addition, some requirements of home teaching and visiting teaching have been adjusted to help members minister with greater focus on meeting needs. No longer must contacts always be formal visits. They can take place at home, at church, or in any setting that is safe, convenient, and reachable. As Elder Jeffrey R. Holland taught: “[What] matters most is how you have blessed and cared for those within your stewardship, which has virtually nothing to do with a specific calendar or a particular location. What matters is that you love your people and are fulfilling the commandment ‘to watch over the church always.’”3
In short, ministering is led by the Spirit, it is flexible, and it is customized to the needs of each member.
HOW IS MINISTERING SIMILAR TO AND DIFFERENT FROM HOME TEACHING AND VISITING TEACHING?
Ministering is similar to home teaching and visiting teaching in that each household will have priesthood brethren—ministering brothers—to minister to and care for the family or individuals who live there (see D&C 20:47, 59). Each adult sister will have members of the Relief Society—ministering sisters—to minister to and care for her, further reinforcing the emphasis on ministering shared by the Relief Society General Presidency beginning in January 2018 (see “Keep in Touch with Her Anytime, Anywhere, Any Way,” Ensign or Liahona, Jan. 2018, 7).
In addition, some requirements of home teaching and visiting teaching have been adjusted to help members minister with greater focus on meeting needs. No longer must contacts always be formal visits. They can take place at home, at church, or in any setting that is safe, convenient, and reachable. As Elder Jeffrey R. Holland taught: “[What] matters most is how you have blessed and cared for those within your stewardship, which has virtually nothing to do with a specific calendar or a particular location. What matters is that you love your people and are fulfilling the commandment ‘to watch over the church always.’”3
In short, ministering is led by the Spirit, it is flexible, and it is customized to the needs of each member.
As members minister, they seek inspiration to know how best to reach
out to others and meet their needs. Would a scheduled visit and regular
phone calls to an older sister who lives alone provide the connection
she needs? Would an invitation to a less-active young adult to
participate in a community project be the most helpful contact? Would
supporting a youth’s soccer game help both the youth and her parents?
Would texting someone a hope-filled scripture help lighten his burdens?
Would a note or card or email show helpful concern? What would the
Savior have His servants do? Finding inspired answers to such questions
and using all available methods for making contact with those they are
assigned is central to inspired ministering. To provide Christlike
service, ministering brothers and sisters cannot rely on routine visits
or predetermined messages; they seek inspiration and counsel with family
members to best care for those to whom they are assigned—using the time
and resources they have.
HOW IS MINISTERING FLEXIBLE?
Ministering brothers and sisters have the opportunity to do what works best. Those they are invited to care for may not each need an equal amount of attention. Working with the bishopric and ward council, elders quorum and Relief Society presidencies communicate priorities to ministering brothers and sisters so they have a sense of who may need them most. Highest priority is most often given to new members, less-active members who may be receptive, and others such as single parents, widows, and widowers. Leaders may assign a youth leader to a family where a young man or young woman is experiencing challenges, and they immediately assign ministering brothers and sisters to new converts. They can assign any members of the elders quorum—high priests and elders—to such a ministry.
Where appropriate, a married couple may be assigned to a family or individual. In addition, Laurels and Mia Maids may make significant contributions by serving as companions to Relief Society sisters, as do priests and teachers by serving with Melchizedek Priesthood holders.
HOW IS MINISTERING FLEXIBLE?
Ministering brothers and sisters have the opportunity to do what works best. Those they are invited to care for may not each need an equal amount of attention. Working with the bishopric and ward council, elders quorum and Relief Society presidencies communicate priorities to ministering brothers and sisters so they have a sense of who may need them most. Highest priority is most often given to new members, less-active members who may be receptive, and others such as single parents, widows, and widowers. Leaders may assign a youth leader to a family where a young man or young woman is experiencing challenges, and they immediately assign ministering brothers and sisters to new converts. They can assign any members of the elders quorum—high priests and elders—to such a ministry.
Where appropriate, a married couple may be assigned to a family or individual. In addition, Laurels and Mia Maids may make significant contributions by serving as companions to Relief Society sisters, as do priests and teachers by serving with Melchizedek Priesthood holders.
HOW IS MINISTERING CUSTOMIZED TO THE NEEDS OF EACH MEMBER?
Ministering brothers and sisters seek to do what best meets
individual needs. Every form of communication is available to respond to
the promptings of the Spirit and meet the needs of those they serve.
Meeting those needs starts with prayerful consideration and with having
an informative conversation with the families and individuals they are
assigned. In that conversation and in subsequent contacts, they listen
to those to whom they minister in order to understand how best to serve,
the frequency and type of contact they desire, and the need for and
content of messages they share. Those who minister ensure that all
communication with any family member is appropriate.
Ministering brothers and sisters seek to help individuals and
families prepare for their next ordinance, keep the covenants they have
made, and become self-reliant. This help may include sharing spiritual
messages tailored to an individual or family, though ministering is not
principally a message-sharing assignment. The Liahona and Ensign will no longer include specific messages to be used in ministering contacts.
HOW DO MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD AND RELIEF SOCIETY LEADERS UNIFY THEIR WORK?
HOW DO MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD AND RELIEF SOCIETY LEADERS UNIFY THEIR WORK?
An enhanced ability to minister to others is one of the intended and
natural outgrowths of the increased strength of restructured priesthood
quorums and the resulting unity with Relief Society. Ministering becomes
one coordinated effort to fulfill the priesthood duty to “visit the
house of each member” and to “watch over the church always, and be with
and strengthen them” and the Relief Society purpose to “increase faith
in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and His Atonement; strengthen
individuals, families, and homes through ordinances and covenants; and
work in unity to help those in need” (D&C 20:47, 53; Handbook 2, 9.1.1).
Working together and under the direction of the bishop, elders quorum and Relief Society presidencies have opportunities to be inspired, organized, and coordinated in seeking to watch over and care for each individual and family. Coordination includes working together in the following ways:
HOW DO MEMBERS RECEIVE THEIR MINISTERING ASSIGNMENT?
Leaders meet with ministering brothers and sisters—preferably as companionships—to share their assignments with them and to counsel about the strengths, needs, and challenges of those to whom they minister. This conversation could take place in a ministering interview (see question 20, below) or whenever needed.
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF IN-HOME VISITS?
Given numbers, distances, safety, and other considerations, a visit to every home every month may not be possible or practical; nevertheless, personal visits are important when they can be made. To serve as the Savior would, ministering brothers and sisters consider every possibility for care and contact with those they are assigned.
DOES MINISTERING ALWAYS INCLUDE SHARING A MESSAGE?
No. As ministering brothers and sisters come to know those they are assigned, they learn their needs and the Holy Ghost may prompt them to teach a gospel principle. A parent may also request a particular topic for his or her family. But the best “message” is care and compassion.
HOW DO MINISTERING BROTHERS AND SISTERS ACCOUNT FOR THEIR EFFORTS?
Leaders no longer gather reports of families and individuals who were visited during a given month. Instead, ministering brothers and sisters have an opportunity to counsel with their elders quorum and Relief Society leaders about the circumstances of those they serve and about their ongoing ministering efforts. This counseling together takes place at least quarterly in ministering interviews and any additional time when communication is necessary.
WHAT IS A MINISTERING INTERVIEW?
A ministering interview is held (1) to counsel about the strengths, needs, and challenges of assigned families and individuals; (2) to determine what needs the quorum, Relief Society, or ward council might assist with; and (3) to learn from leaders and be encouraged in ministering efforts.
Working together and under the direction of the bishop, elders quorum and Relief Society presidencies have opportunities to be inspired, organized, and coordinated in seeking to watch over and care for each individual and family. Coordination includes working together in the following ways:
- Elders quorum presidencies recommend ministering assignments for the individuals and families of the ward. Relief Society presidencies recommend ministering assignments for Relief Society sisters. Where special needs exist, elders quorum and Relief Society presidencies may discuss specific assignments before they are finalized.
- Elders quorum and Relief Society presidencies recommend ministering assignments to the bishop for his approval.
- As needed, ministering brothers and sisters may discuss special circumstances of individuals and, when necessary, contact their quorum or Relief Society leaders for additional help and resources.
- Elders quorum and Relief Society presidencies meet quarterly to discuss needs of individuals and families learned through ministering interviews.
- Following that meeting, elders quorum and Relief Society presidents together meet quarterly with the bishop to address the needs of individuals and families.
- As needed, elders quorum and Relief Society leaders counsel with the ward council regarding strengths and needs identified in ministering interviews and make and enact plans to serve and bless ward members.
HOW DO MEMBERS RECEIVE THEIR MINISTERING ASSIGNMENT?
Leaders meet with ministering brothers and sisters—preferably as companionships—to share their assignments with them and to counsel about the strengths, needs, and challenges of those to whom they minister. This conversation could take place in a ministering interview (see question 20, below) or whenever needed.
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF IN-HOME VISITS?
Given numbers, distances, safety, and other considerations, a visit to every home every month may not be possible or practical; nevertheless, personal visits are important when they can be made. To serve as the Savior would, ministering brothers and sisters consider every possibility for care and contact with those they are assigned.
DOES MINISTERING ALWAYS INCLUDE SHARING A MESSAGE?
No. As ministering brothers and sisters come to know those they are assigned, they learn their needs and the Holy Ghost may prompt them to teach a gospel principle. A parent may also request a particular topic for his or her family. But the best “message” is care and compassion.
HOW DO MINISTERING BROTHERS AND SISTERS ACCOUNT FOR THEIR EFFORTS?
Leaders no longer gather reports of families and individuals who were visited during a given month. Instead, ministering brothers and sisters have an opportunity to counsel with their elders quorum and Relief Society leaders about the circumstances of those they serve and about their ongoing ministering efforts. This counseling together takes place at least quarterly in ministering interviews and any additional time when communication is necessary.
WHAT IS A MINISTERING INTERVIEW?
A ministering interview is held (1) to counsel about the strengths, needs, and challenges of assigned families and individuals; (2) to determine what needs the quorum, Relief Society, or ward council might assist with; and (3) to learn from leaders and be encouraged in ministering efforts.
At least quarterly, ministering brothers and sisters meet with a
leader of the elders quorum or Relief Society in a ministering
interview, preferably in person and with their companion. A married
couple ministering together can meet with either elders quorum or Relief
Society leaders or both. Between interviews, ministering brothers and
sisters communicate other information as needed—in person or through
phone calls, texts, emails, or otherwise. They share confidential
information only with the elders quorum or Relief Society president—or
directly with the bishop.
HOW DO LEADERS KEEP A RECORD OF MINISTERING INTERVIEWS?
HOW DO LEADERS KEEP A RECORD OF MINISTERING INTERVIEWS?
Elders quorum and Relief Society presidencies keep a record of the
interviews they hold with ministering brothers and sisters. Leaders
indicate the month interviews are held and who participated in them.
They report a companionship as interviewed if at least one member of the
companionship is interviewed during the quarter.
By August 1, 2018, updates to the LDS Tools app and to Leader and Clerk Resources on LDS.org will be available for such reporting. Changes in the Quarterly Report will also be available mid-2018. More details for leaders and clerks will be provided in an upcoming notice from Church headquarters.
HOW CAN YOUTH BE INCLUDED IN MINISTERING ASSIGNMENTS?
Leaders may choose to assign Laurels and Mia Maids as companions to Relief Society sisters, as priests and teachers are now assigned as companions to Melchizedek Priesthood holders. Youth share their unique gifts and grow spiritually as they serve alongside adults in the work of salvation and as they counsel about that service in ministering interviews. In addition, involving youth in ministering assignments increases the reach of caring for others by increasing the number of members who participate. It may also simplify and strengthen these efforts within families as mothers and daughters—and fathers and sons—serve together.
SHOULD A YOUTH HAVE MINISTERING BROTHERS AND/OR SISTERS ASSIGNED SPECIFICALLY TO HIM OR HER?
No. Young men and young women are ministered to by those who minister to their families and are also cared for by their Aaronic Priesthood and Young Women leaders.
By August 1, 2018, updates to the LDS Tools app and to Leader and Clerk Resources on LDS.org will be available for such reporting. Changes in the Quarterly Report will also be available mid-2018. More details for leaders and clerks will be provided in an upcoming notice from Church headquarters.
HOW CAN YOUTH BE INCLUDED IN MINISTERING ASSIGNMENTS?
Leaders may choose to assign Laurels and Mia Maids as companions to Relief Society sisters, as priests and teachers are now assigned as companions to Melchizedek Priesthood holders. Youth share their unique gifts and grow spiritually as they serve alongside adults in the work of salvation and as they counsel about that service in ministering interviews. In addition, involving youth in ministering assignments increases the reach of caring for others by increasing the number of members who participate. It may also simplify and strengthen these efforts within families as mothers and daughters—and fathers and sons—serve together.
SHOULD A YOUTH HAVE MINISTERING BROTHERS AND/OR SISTERS ASSIGNED SPECIFICALLY TO HIM OR HER?
No. Young men and young women are ministered to by those who minister to their families and are also cared for by their Aaronic Priesthood and Young Women leaders.
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