Purpose of HomeTeaching

[Tacenda]

10 minutes ago, Rain said:

I thought of one other thing.  I've found it isn't normal for sisters to be asked what they would like in me as their VTer.  Most of mine were not quite sure how to answer at first.  Either it caught them off guard that there was even an option or they weren't sure how to answer because they didn't want to offend.  

If it seemed like a tough question for them I reiterated that I wanted to be there for them and not for a list to check off so if they needed some time to think about it what they would like then I would ask again later.  And I do.  Most of them like the standard half hour visit.  One chose never to meet in her home, but for lunch at a restaurant. One sister wanted short visits, but after she found that she could trust me not to take up too much of her time she would tell me occasionally that we could stay awhile longer when I got ready to leave.   

I had a companion ask the sisters what their favorite candy bar was, and give them out on their B-days etc .  That was really thoughtful.  

My MIL did her vt'ing by setting a set day of the month.  It apparently worked the majority of the time.

[Avatar4321]

So we take care of one another and unify the stakes of Zion

[Rain]

1 hour ago, Tacenda said:

I had a companion ask the sisters what their favorite candy bar was, and give them out on their B-days etc .  That was really thoughtful.  

My MIL did her vt'ing by setting a set day of the month.  It apparently worked the majority of the time.

One of my friends got a Chinese dinner brought to her and just for her, not her family. It was really special to her because it was Oct 31st and her birthday and everyone always remembered Halloween, but not her birthday and even if they did remember they brought her Halloween items. 

My husband has that set up with those he teaches and they all like. It, personally, drives me crazy. If I had any kind of regular schedule I can kind of see it, but my schedule is all over the place. I've decided I like spur of the moment. Call and see if you can see me right now. I'm finding I can usually say yes or yes in 30 minutes or an hour. Then I don't have to keep track of it. I realize that may not work with 3 people, but since my VTer always goes alone it works for us.

Edited March 2, 2016 by Rain

[Tacenda]

Below are a couple of posts on exmormonreddit. The opening topic posted was "I have the best home teacher". I remember my inactive dad's home teacher, he was similar to these posters home teachers, he was genuine and truly just wanted to be there for Dad. I thought I'd share these posts for those that think their home teaching may be lame or not really important.  

We served together in scouts for about 5 years and he's about 15 years older than me. He was the only one who cared enough to ask what I had found out that was bothering me. He tried to talk me out of it, but did not press. I then resigned my membership. He still kept in contact with me to shoot the bull. So since we are now a part member family, we got assigned high priests to be our HTs. So, NOW he's my home teacher. When he comes over, there's no lesson, just visiting. He's the only true friend I have in the ward. I just wanted to post something positive and praise my (wife's) awesome HT.

************************************************************************************************************************

I was fortunate to get wonderful HTs as well when I moved to my rental after the divorce (caused, of source, by the church, blah blah). One had been a former mission president and the other was just a great guy. They know more about what I went through when I started questioning the church than anyone. They listened to my story, and believed me. They didn't judge me. I didn't get that kind of consideration from anyone else, even people in my former ward who had once been "true" friends. I'm grateful for them.

Edited December 13, 2016 by Tacenda

[emeliza]

On 2/29/2016 at 8:50 PM, Rivers said:

I have heard people ask the question, "What is the point of home teaching active members?"  I think its a fair question. Why bring the church to people who already come to church?

As a recent widow, (and before when I was single) I am very thankful for my HTs.  I know if we need a blessing, they will help.  I haven't needed that yet, but I am just thankful to have it there.

They also came and helped me with cleaning my gutters.  I hate asking for help, so it was good to have someone who offered to help and meant it.  I don't think I could have got up on the top roof all by myself.

Before my husband passed it had been years since we had HT visit.  I have no idea who they even were.  We probably didn't really need any at that point, but I definitely do now.

And I love VT.  Ok, I hate finding the time, but all my closest friends have ended up being past and current VT companions.  I generally enjoy getting to know the gals we teach, I often get inactive woman or less active, but they seem to all like visits.  If my companion can't go, I go by myself or take my youngest daughter.  I have one sister that my companion can't visit (allergic to cats) and my daughter comes (the sister loves her) and it is good.  I will fully admit my lesson is often just a spiritual thought.  I think my job is to be their friend.

[2BizE]

I too question the need for home teaching.  I see  need when there are new members, but I think the program needs to change a bit.  It was started in a time where people lacked food and basic needs.  It was a way of making sure their needs were met.

I don't particularly like being assigned to be someone's friend.  It feels unnatural.  Perhaps having peer groups such as various families assigned to care for each other would make better sense.  The truth is most people don't want to go home teach, and most people don't want the home .teachers to come over.  Finding a natural balance his hard.

[waveslider]

I think we also need HT/VT as a network when things like natural disasters strike. It is nice to be able to call and make sure my families are all going to be okay, when we need to evacuate or something. I remember how much better things felt when we were all evacuated because of the tsunami threat from Fukushima. It was nice to meet at the church building, which was above the inundation zone, and be able to give an account of a massive amount of members and be able to meet the needs of those who needed help evacuating. The bishop was relieved to know that many of us were on top of that kind of stuff, with our families.

It is also nice knowing that you matter, when someone notices that you missed on a particular Sunday, and just wanted to make sure that you are okay. I miss that. I haven't had that for a while and I haven't been seen for a while either. I guess they think I am active enough that they don't need to worry about me, but in all honesty I could use the visits for the moral support, even though the message is already read by myself each month.

As for my personal home teaching goals, they are never to be visiting 100% each and every month, but rather to become close friends with each and everyone that I am assigned to. I think it helps those whom I home teach as well, because I think people can notice the sincerity as opposed to just being a stat to check off once a month. That said, I could do a much better job of things. As a single parent I don't have a wife to remind me to bring goodies like cookies or something once in a while. And I also don't always find the time to visit as often as I would like. It can be hard to match available times, with a companion and the families.

[Alan]

Entertaining the home teachers is a chore I could do without.

Having said that, I've only had to do it once in the past 2 years so I shouldn't complain.

[Michael Sanders]

2 hours ago, Alan said:

Entertaining the home teachers is a chore I could do without.

Having said that, I've only had to do it once in the past 2 years so I shouldn't complain.

Maybe you should gather?  Unless you've been commanded to tarry, of course