Implementing the New Changes

[kllindley]

I wanted to open up a discussion of how various Wards and Stakes are implementing the new changes announced in General Conference. Specifically, Melchizedek Priesthood quorum reorganization and Ministering. 

As a member of our "old" Elders Quorum Presidency, we were told by our Stake Presidency that there would be no changes to leadership or meetings until the last week of the month. I was a little disappointed that we are waiting so long. 

 

[Scott Lloyd]

9 minutes ago, kllindley said:

I wanted to open up a discussion of how various Wards and Stakes are implementing the new changes announced in General Conference. Specifically, Melchizedek Priesthood quorum reorganization and Ministering. 

As a member of our "old" Elders Quorum Presidency, we were told by our Stake Presidency that there would be no changes to leadership or meetings until the last week of the month. I was a little disappointed that we are waiting so long. 

 

The leadership of both the elders Quorum and the high priests were released today. The bishop then led a free-wheeling discusion on the changes and what’s ahead in implementing the ministering, etc. New leaders will likely be called by the stake president this week. Meanwhile, the bishop has asked for support from the old leaders during this transition. 

Seems to be steady-as-she-goes for now. 

[Jeanne]

8 minutes ago, Scott Lloyd said:

The leadership of both the elders Quorum and the high priests were released today. The bishop then led a free-wheeling discusion on the changes and what’s ahead in implementing the ministering, etc. New leaders will likely be called by the stake president this week. Meanwhile, the bishop has asked for support from the old leaders during this transition. 

Seems to be steady-as-she-goes for now. 

I hope it maintains.  I am impressed with the new changes..I was in the church for way over 40 years and I think this is good for all ward members. Especially for the young women.

[Duncan]

NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! well, the old High priests quorum leadership was released and I'm the EQP. I was told "business as usuall" until the Stake does something about it. I had to teach on the fly, which I don't mind if it's an emergency but they knew that the Stake wouldn't do diddly a few days ago, well, homey don't play the "poor planning on your part doesn't constitute an emergency on my part" game

[Scott Lloyd]

During the discussion I made the point that, while monthly in-home visits are no longer required, neither are they precluded, and that it might be advisable to ascertain the preference of the respective family or individual to whom one ministers. Thereupon, the bishop, who was leading the discussion and to whom I’ve been assigned as a home teacher, interjected, “I want you to keep coming.” The other man whose household I’ve been visiting and whom I was sitting next to immediately said, “Me too.”

So I got that question settled on the spot!

 

Edited April 8, 2018 by Scott Lloyd

[Duncan]

My sister was called into a "special meeting" in a small city less than about an hour away and so she went. She's Primary president. Anyways, this "special meeting" was just a review of last weeks changes and any questions they had, well my sister doesn't suffer fools gladly, but she asked, "why did we drive an hour to find out info we already know and can ask these questions in our home ward?" she didn't say what she was told boy, she was piping mad when I phoned her!

Edited April 8, 2018 by Duncan

[Jane_Doe]

4 hours ago, kllindley said:

I wanted to open up a discussion of how various Wards and Stakes are implementing the new changes announced in General Conference. Specifically, Melchizedek Priesthood quorum reorganization and Ministering. 

As a member of our "old" Elders Quorum Presidency, we were told by our Stake Presidency that there would be no changes to leadership or meetings until the last week of the month. I was a little disappointed that we are waiting so long. 

 

Our ward conference is in the 3 wks.  Today they release all the men's leaders and said "just show up for class in the gym, we'll figure out who's in charge come ward conference".  I don't attend EQ, but the ladies in RS were very excited for them on their behalf).  

The ministering thing: we talked about the principles a lot (people are also excited about that).  As for as actually implanting, the announcement was "we need to decide this with the EQP.  So as soon as they figure out who the EQP is, then we'll work on assigning routes--- and figuring out how to give candy out, cause that's a must."

[Hamba Tuhan]

We had General Conference sessions yesterday and Saturday. We held a long stake presidency meeting before the AM session yesterday morning and met with bishops during the two-hour break between sessions. I set up appointments for our stake president to release all elders quorum presidents after the PM session yesterday, so that's happened, and the stake presidency had recommendations for new EQ presidents that were discussed with bishops yesterday. As a result, we hope to have new EQ presidents called in each ward by this Sunday.

[Avatar4321]

52 minutes ago, Hamba Tuhan said:

We had General Conference sessions yesterday and Saturday. We held a long stake presidency meeting before the AM session yesterday morning and met with bishops during the two-hour break between sessions. I set up appointments for our stake president to release all elders quorum presidents after the PM session yesterday, so that's happened, and the stake presidency had recommendations for new EQ presidents that were discussed with bishops yesterday. As a result, we hope to have new EQ presidents called in each ward by this Sunday.

You guys are on top of things.

I know little to nothing of what happened in elders quorum as I'm a primary teacher

[ElPatron]

Our stake has all of the new presidencies in place as of this afternoon, called, sustained, set apart and entered into MLS. All of the new presidencies are to have any secretary and instructor changes completed by end of business next Sunday the 15th. 

[Scott Lloyd]

3 hours ago, ElPatron said:

Our stake has all of the new presidencies in place as of this afternoon, called, sustained, set apart and entered into MLS. All of the new presidencies are to have any secretary and instructor changes completed by end of business next Sunday the 15th. 

Our bishop observed that some instructors might find the size of this new, expanded quorum somewhat daunting. I looked around and realized that it is now the size of a typical gospel doctrine class, if not larger. Unless they decide to form two quorums, which is an option. 

[cinepro]

We all met together in the High Council room (where the Elders usually meet), and it was absolutely packed.  And overall attendance was lighter because of the Easter break.  We'll have to bring in extra seats next week if this keeps up.

[Calm]

My husband and I have decided they will be needing to change floor plans in future building to have two rooms built the size of the RS room, one for RS and one for the EQ and he is demanding cushy chairs as well, but he says he will  be willing to skip the table centerpiece.

Edited April 9, 2018 by Calm

[Hamba Tuhan]

32 minutes ago, Calm said:

My husband and I have decided they will be needing to change floor plans in future building to have two rooms built the size of the RS room, one for RS and one for the EQ and he is demanding cushy chairs as well, but he says he will  be willing to skip the table centerpiece.

I think we'd be happy in our ward to have just one such room... 

[Calm]

I want mats on the floor with a few big pillows.

[Stargazer]

15 hours ago, Scott Lloyd said:

During the discussion I made the point that, while monthly in-home visits are no longer required, neither are they precluded, and that it might be advisable to ascertain the preference of the respective family or individual to whom one ministers. Thereupon, the bishop, who was leading the discussion and to whom I’ve been assigned as a home teacher, interjected, “I want you to keep coming.” The other man whose household I’ve been visiting and whom I was sitting next to immediately said, “Me too.”

So I got that question settled on the spot!

 

I have a new HT route, being fairly newly a permanent resident in my ward, and we'd only managed to visit one of our families, an elderly sister, so far.  Since I had always tried to ascertain what those I minister to need the most (by asking them), before issuing a one-size-fits-all visiting program, which coincided with my companion's feelings, too, we asked her what kind of ministering she wanted. She said she would love a message each time we visit.  Since our bishop has said that we should continue with ministering to those we were home teaching, until we are called to do something else, I guess that's what we will be doing!  Meanwhile, my now wife hasn't had a home teaching visit for years (and darned few visiting teaching  visits for that matter), but she doesn't really want or need any.  And neither do I -- I'm perfectly capable of asking for help if I need it, but having someone visit me every month just because it's the program doesn't do much for me.  

I see this change as a huge positive!  I'm really looking forward to a more eclectic and meaningful experience as we progress along this road.  

[Avatar4321]

20 minutes ago, Stargazer said:

I have a new HT route, being fairly newly a permanent resident in my ward, and we'd only managed to visit one of our families, an elderly sister, so far.  Since I had always tried to ascertain what those I minister to need the most (by asking them), before issuing a one-size-fits-all visiting program, which coincided with my companion's feelings, too, we asked her what kind of ministering she wanted. She said she would love a message each time we visit.  Since our bishop has said that we should continue with ministering to those we were home teaching, until we are called to do something else, I guess that's what we will be doing!  Meanwhile, my now wife hasn't had a home teaching visit for years (and darned few visiting teaching  visits for that matter), but she doesn't really want or need any.  And neither do I -- I'm perfectly capable of asking for help if I need it, but having someone visit me every month just because it's the program doesn't do much for me.  

I see this change as a huge positive!  I'm really looking forward to a more eclectic and meaningful experience as we progress along this road.  

Sounds like a way to leave thee 99 and seek out the 1

[Stargazer]

13 minutes ago, Avatar4321 said:

Sounds like a way to leave thee 99 and seek out the 1

Exactly.

[Stargazer]

Oh, hey, it just occurred to me...

Maybe we could tell the members that if they like their home teachers they can keep their home teachers!  

[Avatar4321]

7 hours ago, Stargazer said:

Oh, hey, it just occurred to me...

Maybe we could tell the members that if they like their home teachers they can keep their home teachers!  

Except it’s always been those with keys who determine home teaching assignments 

[Marginal Gains]

18 minutes ago, Avatar4321 said:

Except it’s always been those with keys who determine home teaching assignments 

How’s that been working out?

[Stargazer]

1 hour ago, Avatar4321 said:

Except it’s always been those with keys who determine home teaching assignments 

I think you missed the gratuitous political wink there, Avatar...

[Kenngo1969]

On 4/8/2018 at 2:49 PM, Scott Lloyd said:

During the discussion I made the point that, while monthly in-home visits are no longer required, neither are they precluded, and that it might be advisable to ascertain the preference of the respective family or individual to whom one ministers. Thereupon, the bishop, who was leading the discussion and to whom I’ve been assigned as a home teacher, interjected, “I want you to keep coming.” The other man whose household I’ve been visiting and whom I was sitting next to immediately said, “Me too.”

So I got that question settled on the spot!

 

I can't speak with any level of authority, but I think one of the purposes behind the switch from "Home Teaching" to "Ministering" isn't "Hooray!  No more monthly visits!" but, rather, "Shepherding the sheep is not now, nor was it ever, about simply a monthly visit."