Ministering Training Guide: 10 Building Blocks
Ministering training and assignments.
Is not the process of ministering we use now like training wheels for what is to come?
After experiencing the goodness that comes from ministering with love within the church, seeking ministering opportunities of our own in other areas of our lives simply becomes natural. We develop a desire to bless, lift, and serve others.
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This genuine act of ministering leads to becoming one in heart. With continued ministering training and practice, we will ultimately find ourselves living in Zion. As we steadfastly move in the direction of Zion, training wheels are 100% recommended.
The following ministering building blocks were inspired by the business book Lovability by Brian de Haaff. These ten building blocks, or training wheels, help me to more fully understand my relationships with those around me. It’s so helpful to know which building blocks can be accessed next to strengthen those relationships.
How might the training wheel building blocks shared below help you and your relationships?
The Ten Building Blocks of Ministering Training
STAGE ONE: UTILITY
Ministering Assignments
1. Hope
The first and most generic part of ministering is the assigning of companions and visitees. Even when an initial visit has not yet happened, there is great hope in anticipating what may come from the ministering relationship.
2. Satisfaction
Providing a satisfying experience early in the ministering journey is as easy as smiling at the person you are assigned to visit when you see them at church or around town. A friendly hello breaks the ice and paves the way for something more.
3. Care
A crucial transition point, lovable support is essential if the relationship is to have any value. The bar is set low at this point, so delivering lovable support can be as simple as going the extra mile or showing empathy. Those who have now developed a desire to minister and make a difference in the lives of others will now proceed to Stage Two.
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STAGE TWO: GROWTH
A meaningful relationship begins to develop
4. Confidence
Now that a sense of safety has been secured, those to whom you minister will feel comfortable being genuine with you. When asked how they are doing, the answer will no longer be the simple, vague, and overly-used response–“Fine.”
5. Trust
There is a slight difference between confidence and trust. With trust, a person now knows that you will be there for them when the chips are down. Trust grows from “moments of truth” when your values are backed up by action. When they ask for help, you lend a hand. When they call, you answer.
6. Scale
Relying on personal revelation takes the ministering relationship to a whole new level, for you now often respond to a person’s needs before they have a chance to ask for help.
One evening, weary from a long day of responsibilities, I was surprised to hear the doorbell ring. Setting aside the dish I was washing, I wiped my hands on my apron and made my way to the front door.
Quietly, I peered out the peephole.
The sight of soft yellow flower petals startled me.
“Who in the world is bringing me flowers?” I wondered aloud, unlocking the door and opening it with anticipation. Continue reading this experience about personal revelation: Leaving The 99 To Find The 1: Yellow Flower Ministering
7. Sustainability
The result of your commitment and attention to detail will build relationships that can last a lifetime. Relationships this strong take time to build, but they’re bound to prosper.
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STAGE THREE: INSPIRATION
Where the real fun begins
8. Motivation
Having benefited from your example, those with whom you minister will recognize the good that has come from your relationship and will desire to have the same effect in the lives of others.
One afternoon, I purchased the most beautiful yellow roses to take to a friend. It was to be a surprise.
As I walked to my car, with flowers in hand, God interrupted my plans. Read the rest of this experience how ministering to others can become contagious: See The Goodness: Experiencing God’s Interruptions
9. Fun
Having fun now comes naturally. Regardless of the activities you engage in together, the process is enjoyable. The desire for self-improvement increases, as does the ability to endure less desirable aspects of one’s life. Becoming healthier and happier is a natural by-product of this type of relationship.
10. Halo
Though one’s newly formed relationships will be rewarding in and of themselves, the blessings of heaven will be poured down upon those who have, with patience and diligence, become one in heart with those to whom they minister.
“And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them” (Moses 7:18)
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Ministering Inspiration
Need fresh ministering ideas? Check out these creative recommendations:
100+ Activity Ideas
Within the following twelve posts, you will find hundreds of activity ideas just waiting to be brought to life. Use these activity ideas at home, with friends, at church, at school, or in the community.
One special activity idea is a Woman’s Conference, the details for which are included in this post.
Share Your Testimony
Plant seeds of faith in another.
As I reflect on my faith journey and personal growth, one lesson in particular stands out:
Our entire garden plot, filled with nothing but barren soil, its rich earthy fragrance filling the air, was planted with nothing but seed this year. Normally we purchase plant starts to expedite the growing process.
However, because most of the gardening budget went to increasing the life-giving nutrients in the soil, our remaining meager resources were spent on a variety of vegetable and herb and flower seeds.
I had not known until experiencing it for myself just how rewarding it can be to see an entire garden grown, in rich fertile soil, from nothing but tiny seeds.
Volunteer Together
Joining with fellow women to serve others, even if it means serving outside your comfort zone, can be very rewarding. The website JustServe has a variety of service opportunities available year round. Simply enter your zip code to locate service projects in your area.
Our family has been blessed over the years with opportunities to serve. Feeding the homeless was one such instance. The children felt uneasy at first, but then some remarkable things happened, which you can read about below:
Pray for One Another
Prayer is a simple but powerful way to connect with others in meaningful ways. You may feel comfortable asking if there are any specific needs that can be prayed for. If not, simple pray for their wellbeing.
You may find this collection of true stories and quotes about prayer inspiring:
Set Goals Together
Becoming a better version of yourself begins by taking four steps. With daily practice, you and those with whom you minister can soon experience the thrill of becoming. Whether setting New Year’s Resolutions together or working on self-improvement throughout the year, this four-step process can strengthen your ministering relationship:
Creative Ministering Activity Ideas
Discover more creative ministering ideas that can help to strengthen relationships:
- CARE: Take a “Get Well” package that will uplift the spirits and encourage healing. You might include a homemade remedy like this Favorite Cough and Immunity Boost Syrup Recipe. Practice listening and showing empathy.
- LEARN: Select a new skill to learn together. Need skill ideas? Check out this list of 70+ Hygge Hobbies for Women and 130+ Under-Rated Skills Everyone Should Know.
- DISCUSS: Enjoy a teatime snack while discussing a book you have both read. A fun selection of children and adult books can be found on this selection of book lists.
- GATHER: Work together to Gather Israel by reading the Book of Mormon together, making and keeping temple covenants, doing family history work, or learning more about the Abrahamic Covenant.
- NOURISH: Enjoy a meal together or nourish one another with emotional support.
- APPRECIATE: Express gratitude by writing a thoughtful thank you card or delivering a simple gift.
- ENJOY: Enjoy spending time together. Find ways to reawaken wonder in your life by doing something that will delight the soul and lift your spirits.
What Would A Holy Woman Do?
How can we become a little more holy day by day? Is that even possible?
Author Wendy Watson challenges us to take an incredible three-day challenge to find out for ourselves. The results may surprise you!
Ministering Gift Idea
Sunflower Bookmarks
Perfect for Mother’s Day!
- Set of four
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- Scripture verses
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Ministering Quotes
Inspiring ministering quotes to encourage you on your journey towards discipleship and charity-filled ministering:
“…when, for the moment, we ourselves are not being stretched on a particular cross, we ought to be at the foot of someone else’s–full of empathy and proffering spiritual refreshment.”
Elder Neal A. Maxwell, Endure It Well, Ensign, May 1990, 34
“To me, ministering is exercising divine love.”
Elder Hans T. Boom
“…we have a heaven-sent opportunity…to demonstrate ‘pure religion … undefiled before God’ (James 1:27) — ‘to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light’ and to ‘comfort those that stand in need of comfort,’ (Mosiah 18:8–9) to minister to the widows and the fatherless, the married and the single, the strong and the distraught, the downtrodden and the robust, the happy and the sad — in short, all of us, every one of us, because we all need to feel the warm hand of friendship and hear the firm declaration of faith. ”
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, 2018 General Conference
“To minister spiritually can begin with baking cookies or playing a basketball game, but eventually this holier way of ministering requires opening your heart and your faith, taking courage in encouraging the positive growth you are seeing in a friend or in expressing concerns about things you see and feel that are not consistent with discipleship.”
Elder Neal A. Anderson, BYU campus devotional, 10 April 2018
“Ministering is about being a beacon of light in a world of darkness.”
Unknown
“We as [the Lord’s] servants will minister to the one, just as He did.”
Russell M. Nelson, “Ministering with the Power and Authority of God,” April 2018 general conference.
“You will never forget the person who came to you with a torch in the dark.”
M. Rose
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Image Credit:
El cuentito (Friendship)
by Petrona Viera (1895-1960)
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:El_cuentito.jpg
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