Vancouver Mission Star
This message was written by President and Sister Middleton. It also appears in the Vancouver Star, the weekly newsletter of the Vancouver Mission. It is sent to each companionship throughout the mission.
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WARD MISSION PLANS EVOLVE TO BETTER ACHIEVE MEMBER ACCOUNTABILITY
We are excited to see the member missionary activities throughout British Columbia accelerating. When we analyzed the success of the Spokane First Ward in going from zero baptisms in 2002 and 2003 to 20 baptisms in 2006, it became clear that much of their success lay in developing a system of accountability in which members held other members accountable for accomplishing missionary objectives. They began having auxiliary and priesthood leaders obtain specific commitments from each of the members under their charge, then followed through repeatedly to lovingly teach each member how to accomplish their commitment simply but with diligence, and then followed up lovingly with repeated phone calls/chats in Church, etc. until the member was successful in completing their commitment. At the heart of their success were members organizing all the ward members, and then following through with repeated calls to the members until their commitments were completed. Members working with members seems to be the key. Full-time missionaries play a pivotal role in the process, of course, as teachers and finders.
Surrey Third Ward Develops a Plan Similar to Spokane First Ward
Brother J. P. Tremblay, the dynamic and bold Surrey Third Ward Mission Leader, is working with Bishop Lorne Olson to implement their Ward Mission Plan. Presented to ward members through a combined Priesthood and Relief Society Meeting, the Plan looks toward a commitment pattern for the bishop, his counselors, auxiliary leaders (including priesthood leaders), their counselors, and all active ward members. Through “prayer, efforts and faith,” the Plan will achieve accountability for every person attending Ward Council by expecting each to report on how their personal commitments are coming and report on the commitment pattern achieved by each of their quorum/class members. Each Ward Council member will report regularly on:
· Number of referrals given to full-time missionaries.
· Number of non-members taken on a Spiritual Tour of the Chapel.
· Number of non-members taken to Church on Sundays or to a Church activity.
· Number of non-members taken to a baptism.
· Number of non-members who participate in a Family Home Evening.
The Surrey Third Ward Plan is unique to the ward, but bears many of the same features that lead to the great success enjoyed by the Spokane First Ward. The common thread which likely will produce increasing success is that of members organizing and overseeing members with members charged with oversight and accountability. It seems that it has been easy in the past for members to ignore or say no to our young full-time missionaries, but the impact of members working with members to help them achieve accountability looks to be huge.
Streamlining the Campbell River Ward Mission Plan to Achieve Accountability of the Members, by Elders Justin McAllister (and Jared Fullmer)
“Here in Campbell River we have met with our Ward Mission Leader, Brother Andrew Marr, and have been discussing the Ward Mission Plan with an eye towards inspiring the members to invite their acquaintances to learn more about the Church. We have developed a plan to increase the accountability of each member. It begins by streamlining the Ward Mission Plan to include specific goals and a specific way to accomplish those goals. It is necessary to make the members aware of the Mission Plan. There will then be a minimum of four ward missionaries called, with emphasis on the young men preparing for missions. Their responsibilities will include setting the example for the ward in inviting, with each setting a date. They would also go on exchanges and to appointments with the full-time missionaries weekly or more often at times. The ward list would be split between all ward missionaries, and they would be required to follow up with all ward members on the members’ missionary responsibilities. This will make the ward members accountable to the other ward members rather than to the full-time missionaries.
“We believe that as the ward members inspire one another to do missionary work the number of baptisms will rise tremendously.”
Editor’s Note: The Campbell River Ward is organizing to put in place the elements that brought great success to the Spokane First Ward, and will likely bring success to the Surrey Third Ward and others here in BC who are capturing that vision.
Playing Gospel-Related Games With Part-Member Families, by Sisters Tracy Whiting (and Crystal Caribou)
“One thing we have been doing with part-member families with kids is playing ‘Vine & Trenches.’ This is a game Sister Caribou and I made up. We made a playing board comparable to ‘Shoots and Ladders,’ then we make up questions from a story in the Book of Mormon and the kids have to answer the questions. This way they are really attentive and want to listen to the lesson, and they have fun with it! We call it ‘Vine and Trenches’ because it gives the game a more Book of Mormon related name.
“Things are going really well in Squamish. Church attendance has really gone up and we have set-a-date with two couples.”
What a wonderful time to be a missionary in beautiful British Columbia when the Lord is blessing us with such great tools to grow His Church. We love each of you.
President and Sister Middleton
(Check off weekly whether you have achieved each of the eight goals below.)
q Ask for a referral name in every conversation with a member or non-member alike… “Will you bring an acquaintance on a Spiritual Tour?”
q Challenge members to Set-A-Date for a Spiritual Tour or a Church event which can be coupled with a Spiritual Tour with their non-member friend at least 3 times yearly.
q Our goal is to find at least one new investigator daily.
q Our goal is to teach 15 or more full lessons weekly…
q …with at least 3 Spiritual Tours weekly.
q Extend at least one baptismal invitation and commitment each week.
q Remember our mission goal: 10 Gospel contacts per day per missionary outside our usual finding and teaching duties. That includes a Gospel message to everyone you see.
q As weekly goals are set for each Key Indicator, pray for inspiration, and set goals that are lofty yet achievable. Our ultimate long-term goal is for at least 3 baptisms per companionship per transfer.
“Consider…the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual” (Mosiah 2:41).
to read past messages.