Learning to minister in a holier way
CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
By Jim Greer
LW contributor
In April of 2018, the Church changed how Latter-day Saints care for one another. The new ministering program replaced the men’s home teaching and the women’s visiting teaching programs with new expanded responsibility for men, women, and youth to care for their fellow saints.
Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained the importance of the new program when he stated “as disciples of Christ, we strongly reject the notion that our lives are all about ourselves. Rather, we follow the savior.”
As it states in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 20, “Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
Ministering during the COVID-19 pandemic is a critical test for the saints. Elder Anderson defined a formula for successful ministering. “The ability to bring a holier approach to loving your neighbor, to caring for and ministering to others, will rest upon how strongly you keep the first commandment. There is a unique and supernal gift of ministering that can come from someone who loves God with all his or her heart; who is settled, grounded, steadfast, and immovable in his or her faith in Jesus Christ and the restored gospel; and who keeps the commandments with exactness.”
This ministering in the Savior’s way is much more than a monthly assignment. “Caring for others, physically and emotionally, requires an unselfish and sensitive heart. It is an important part of the Gospel. This caring is done in and out of the church by good people, believers, and nonbelievers. There are many wonderful, kind people all over the world, and we can learn from them.”
If each of us is indeed a “converted” member of The Church of Jesus Christ, we practice an even higher form of ministering. As disciples of Christ, we minister in a way that keeps a friend’s faith from faltering, reminding in a compassionate way that reading the scriptures can bring miracles.
Ministering spiritually requires opening our hearts, and through faith, encouraging a friend’s positive growth through consistent discipleship. While not being self-righteous, we can be spiritually courageous as we strengthen the faith of others and minister in a holier way.
As we follow the savior, most of our ministering will be from one person to another. Like “a one-time blast from a firehose,”a single ministering attempt won’t fix a spiritual problem. It takes time, multiple conversations, and experiences to rebuild faith. You have to minister repeatedly and consistently to help someone turn back to God and rely on the savior and his atonement.
President Russell M. Nelson spoke powerfully in that same general conference, urging us “to stretch beyond your current spiritual ability to receive personal revelation.” He recommends that we invite the spirit to dwell in us, and schedule time and space to unplug so that we do not miss opportunities to hear “the still, small voice of the spirit.”
Elder Andersen concludes his address with a promise that “as you love God with all your heart, pray to be an instrument in his hands.” As you minister to individuals, you will build your capacity to receive revelation. We must trust in the influence of the Holy Ghost. The Lord will put his children in your path, that you will become their ministering angels, blessing their lives eternally. This is ministering in a holier way.
If you are in need of a ministering brother or sister, call (562) 344-5083 or email ldsgreer@gmail.com.
