I think ministering can be important, but we also need to do better about respecting peoples boundaries and not visiting if they don't want us to do so. I've heard numerous talks where the speaker shares a story about how they continued to visit someone who clearly wasn't interested and didn't want them there. Its always framed as being a feel good story, (like they should be patted on the back for repeatedly ignoring this persons wishes), but its really not! It always makes me cringe. Showing up at someone's house when they don't want you to is actually really inconsiderate. If someone asks you not to visit or says they are too busy, LISTEN to them and respect that! Otherwise you will just irritate and drive them away. We are all different and have different needs.
Julie MajorJanuary 18, 2023
I appreciated your willingness to share the struggles you have experienced with ministering. As a RS president, my sisters will often share with me similar struggles with ministering. But I have truly learned the importance and blessing of ministering. Thank you for this story!
CynthiaJanuary 17, 2023
I LOVED this article. I am preparing a talk for this Sunday and have felt prompted to speak about ministering. This popped up in my in box today and it was perfect to complement my message. Thanks so very much for your message. I also leaned the importance of ministering aka visiting teaching years ago when I was serving as the Relief Society president. I knew the bishop couldn't possibly keep up with everyone in the ward and I calculated that between visiting teachers and home teachers there were many who would be available to help any one family. It was a real eye opener. Such a gift to members of the church to have this blessing in our lives.
Lee HillJanuary 17, 2023
Wonderful article, thank you!! I just got a new ministering companion who is young enough to be my son. He is inexperienced and I am physically handicapped, but together we have had some wonderful experiences with the families we minister to. Just like missionary work, consistently praying and seeking for inspiration has been critical in our ministering service.
Arne HedbergJanuary 17, 2023
Very insightsfull and helpful. It inspires me in my duties. Your words also makes me thankful that there are people like you who respond to the Spirit in challenging matters. Thank you!
Becca HowardJanuary 17, 2023
No matter what you call it, I have a very difficult time ministering by assignment. I am so much better at being spontaneous, for example taking a meal to a friend who posts on social media that she is overwhelmed with her children’s activities, or calling or sending a note to someone who is ill. My partner and her husband are the “ministering couple” to two or three of my assigned sisters, so these ladies are mostly off my radar, while I spend quite a bit of time helping a sister and neighbor who is disabled. Though I do a lot I still feel guilty for all that I don’t do or could be doing for those to whom I am assigned.
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JJJanuary 25, 2023
I think ministering can be important, but we also need to do better about respecting peoples boundaries and not visiting if they don't want us to do so. I've heard numerous talks where the speaker shares a story about how they continued to visit someone who clearly wasn't interested and didn't want them there. Its always framed as being a feel good story, (like they should be patted on the back for repeatedly ignoring this persons wishes), but its really not! It always makes me cringe. Showing up at someone's house when they don't want you to is actually really inconsiderate. If someone asks you not to visit or says they are too busy, LISTEN to them and respect that! Otherwise you will just irritate and drive them away. We are all different and have different needs.
Julie MajorJanuary 18, 2023
I appreciated your willingness to share the struggles you have experienced with ministering. As a RS president, my sisters will often share with me similar struggles with ministering. But I have truly learned the importance and blessing of ministering. Thank you for this story!
CynthiaJanuary 17, 2023
I LOVED this article. I am preparing a talk for this Sunday and have felt prompted to speak about ministering. This popped up in my in box today and it was perfect to complement my message. Thanks so very much for your message. I also leaned the importance of ministering aka visiting teaching years ago when I was serving as the Relief Society president. I knew the bishop couldn't possibly keep up with everyone in the ward and I calculated that between visiting teachers and home teachers there were many who would be available to help any one family. It was a real eye opener. Such a gift to members of the church to have this blessing in our lives.
Lee HillJanuary 17, 2023
Wonderful article, thank you!! I just got a new ministering companion who is young enough to be my son. He is inexperienced and I am physically handicapped, but together we have had some wonderful experiences with the families we minister to. Just like missionary work, consistently praying and seeking for inspiration has been critical in our ministering service.
Arne HedbergJanuary 17, 2023
Very insightsfull and helpful. It inspires me in my duties. Your words also makes me thankful that there are people like you who respond to the Spirit in challenging matters. Thank you!
Becca HowardJanuary 17, 2023
No matter what you call it, I have a very difficult time ministering by assignment. I am so much better at being spontaneous, for example taking a meal to a friend who posts on social media that she is overwhelmed with her children’s activities, or calling or sending a note to someone who is ill. My partner and her husband are the “ministering couple” to two or three of my assigned sisters, so these ladies are mostly off my radar, while I spend quite a bit of time helping a sister and neighbor who is disabled. Though I do a lot I still feel guilty for all that I don’t do or could be doing for those to whom I am assigned.
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