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.
SET-A-TOUR-DATE TO REMOVE A “GUILT TRIP”
We were pleased to speak at Sacrament Meeting in both Kelowna Wards and the Westbank Branch on September 10, 2006, at the invitation of their respective leaders. The meetings were wonderful, and the spirituality and dedication of the Saints was impressive. Just before one of the Sacrament Meetings a good brother pointed out that if we spoke about the Set-A-Tour-Date program it would worsen some of the member’s “guilt trip”. Subsequently we mentioned his comment to the bishop of the ward, whose response was, “Good, I hope it does”, uttered only partially as a tongue-in-cheek statement.
Our address to the congregations was focused on the missionary power of the Set-A-Tour-Date, when every member commits to a Tour with a non-member acquaintance 3 times yearly, then keeps inviting until someone comes with them. Each ward will see 33 convert baptisms if the program is embraced by every member, and the Westbank Branch should see 30 or more converts yearly. We mentioned early in our talks the comment about “increasing a member’s guilt trip”, and then pointed out that when a member embraced the program enthusiastically their guilt would be gone and their joy and happiness would grow exponentially! The conjunction of the Set-A-Date and the Tour program, both programs having been given the saints through the inspired counsel of Elder M. Russell Ballard, and advocated by many of our General Authorities in their sermons, has given to us saints in British Columbia a relatively easy and non-threatening system by which we might achieve our stake presidents’ challenge of bringing 3 or more non-member acquaintances on a Tour or to a Church activity which can be coupled with a Tour yearly. It works!
A Testimony of the Tour Program, by Elders Justin Wilhite, (and Logan Rasmussen)
“My testimony of the Tour program has grown immensely as we strive to make it our goal to Set-A-Date with members. Both of our baptismal dates have come as a result of powerful Tours. It just takes a well-outlined Tour, which hits the points of the First Lesson, the Restoration Lesson, demonstrates the beautiful building, and talks of the contemporary living lessons we learn by attending Church. The Tour and lessons are perfected through practice. I have felt the Spirit stronger on a Tour than in any other setting. I know that as we continue to make full lessons and Tours our goal, and as we strive to work hard and effectively, baptisms will result.”
Invite Investigators To A Dinner with Members During Prime Time, by Elders Austin Johnson (and Benjamin Grover)
“To get the members on board we are inviting our investigators to member dinners and teaching them a lesson with the member present. That way the members can become involved in missionary work and become excited about proselyting. It also allows the investigator to meet a member and develop a friendship that is going to be important in the fellowshipping process as they learn about the Church. It also allows us missionaries to have dinners with members during Prime Time, something that many members would like to see come back. Dinner with members during Prime Time is encouraged whenever an investigator can be there too and receives a lesson.”
The Power of a Well-done Tour for Less Actives, by Brother Reg Olson
“My name is Bro. Reg Olson, from Kelowna in the Vernon Stake. I want to tell you about a wonderful experience when taking a Tour of our building.
“Last Thursday Sister Coleen Murray called and wondered if we knew a less active brother in our ward. It happened that we have worked extensively with that good brother and had some success in activating him initially, but then he lapsed into inactivity again. Sister Murray had felt impressed to call this brother and invite him to a Tour of our building. He accepted, and she then called us to ask if we would accompany them. Of course we were delighted to. As we progressed along the Tour Sister Olson and I were so impressed with the Sister Missionaries’ presentation at the different stops!
“When we got back to the chapel, by the Sacrament table, Sister Murray finished by asking this good brother if there was anything we could do to help him along the path. Then she bore testimony to him and related word for word Joseph Smith’s description of the First Vision. I closed my eyes in reverence, and the way this dear Sister related that vision made it appear as if we were actually in that grove and saw the events that took place that day! It was sooooo spiritual! I will not forget it nor will Sister Olson, nor will our less active brother either. I understand that he came to Church the next Sunday. We will continue to work with him, but I thought you might like to know some of the positives that go on in our ward because of these special missionaries. This Tour was ‘celestial’.”
We love you, and love working with each of you.
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--President and Sister Middleton
Reminder: Ask for a referral in every conversation with a member or non-member alike…
“Will you bring an acquaintance on a Tour, and when?”
Our goal is to find at least one new investigator each day.
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.
“…when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men.” 2 Nephi 33: 1
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.
to read past messages.