What Should I Focus On?

You are a disciple of Jesus Christ. Discipleship includes loving, teaching, leading, and serving others. President Henry B. Eyring taught: “You are called to represent the Savior. Your voice to testify becomes the same as His voice, your hands to lift the same as His hands” (“Rise to Your Call,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2002, 76).

The following leadership principles will help you and the bishopric as you seek to bless the members of your ward:

• Prepare spiritually.

• Minister to all of God’s children.

• Teach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

• Preside in righteousness.

• Counsel together and build unity.

• Delegate responsibility and ensure accountability.

• Prepare others to be leaders and teachers.

• Plan meetings, lessons, and activities with clear purposes.

For more information about these principles, see General Handbook, 4.2.

As you come to know and love the ward members you are called to serve, you can help them progress toward lifelong conversion to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Prayerfully counsel together with the bishopric and ward council to decide who needs your time and attention. As you reach out to those you are inspired to serve, you will find that your love for ward members increases. As you pray for the gift of charity, your heart will be filled with love for the Savior and for others (see Moroni 7:46–48).

Elder Dale G. Renlund taught: “In the Church, to effectively serve others we must see them through a parent’s eyes, through Heavenly Father’s eyes. Only then can we begin to comprehend the true worth of a soul. Only then can we sense the love that Heavenly Father has for all of His children. Only then can we sense the Savior’s caring concern for them. … Only when we see through Heavenly Father’s eyes can we be filled with ‘the pure love of Christ’ [Moroni 7:47]” (“Through God’s Eyes,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2015, 94).

You can come to know and love the ward members you serve by:

• Praying for each ward member.

• Getting to know each member’s interests, strengths, and challenges.

• Giving special attention to the needs of new members or less-active members.

• Showing love to members in ways that are suited to their needs.

• Being willing to share your personal experiences and testimony of the gospel to help guide members along the covenant path.

Participate in regular bishopric meetings with the members of the bishopric and the ward clerk. As requested, help the bishop prepare agendas for these meetings. Suggested agenda items for bishopric meetings are listed below:

• Read and discuss scripture passages and instructions from Church leaders that relate to your responsibilities as ward leaders. Relevant sections of the General Handbook may be helpful.

• Counsel together about the strengths and needs of ward members, especially the youth, and their families.

• Review the status of ministering in the ward and discuss how you can minister to ward members.

• Discuss upcoming ordinances, blessings, and priesthood ordinations for ward members.

• Prayerfully counsel together about individuals for callings.

• Plan upcoming sacrament meetings (see “Help Plan Sacrament Meetings” below).

• Review the ward calendar and upcoming activities and meetings.

• Review the ward budget and expenditures.

• Review counsel and assignments from the stake presidency. Plan ways to follow the counsel and fulfill the assignments.

• Share and act on the impressions you receive as you counsel together with the bishopric (see Doctrine and Covenants 8:2; 121:26).

Sunday meetings are sacred opportunities for ward members to increase in knowledge and testimony of our Savior. Help the bishopric plan sacrament meetings using the guidelines in General Handbook, 29.2.1–29.2.2. As the executive secretary, you may be asked to follow up with members who have been given assignments for these meetings.

The bishopric is also responsible for the use, care, and security of the meetinghouse (see General Handbook, chapter 35). Assist with this responsibility as requested.

“The Church of Jesus Christ is governed by councils at every level” (General Handbook, 4.3). As the executive secretary, you are a member of the ward council. You bring items before the ward council for discussion and offer input on matters presented by other ward leaders. You also assist the bishop in preparing agendas for ward council meetings (see General Handbook, 7.3). The ward council meets regularly to discuss and plan how to support members in:

• Building testimonies.

• Receiving saving ordinances.

• Keeping covenants.

• Becoming consecrated followers of Jesus Christ.

The ward council also plans and conducts the work of salvation and exaltation in the ward. This includes living the gospel of Jesus Christ, caring for those in need, inviting all to receive the gospel, and uniting families for eternity (see General Handbook, chapters 16–28; see also the 2020 Temple and Family History Leadership Instruction broadcast for additional information about coordinating the work of salvation and exaltation through the ward council). Assist the ward council in understanding and responding to the needs of individuals and families in the ward. Share insights you gain through ministering to ward members to help the ward council accomplish its purpose.

The bishopric directs the work of the Church within the ward. As the executive secretary, you provide administrative support to members of the bishopric as they lead the ward and work with ward organizations. Some of your responsibilities in supporting the bishopric are listed below:

• Schedule worthiness interviews and other interviews (see General Handbook, 31.1.5–31.1.6, for lists of specific interviews and who conducts them). When the bishop is conducting interviews, remain nearby so that you can assist him as needed.

• Make sure the bishopric is aware of upcoming ordinances for ward members, including the naming and blessing of children, baptism and confirmation of eight-year-old children of record, baptism and confirmation of new converts, and conferral of the Aaronic Priesthood and ordination to the offices of deacon, teacher, and priest. Make sure the bishopric is aware of Young Women advancement.

• Help the bishopric keep track of callings and releases.

• Coordinate ward business between the bishopric and other leaders.

• Assist with registration for seminary and institute classes, when needed.

• Coordinate ward Church magazine subscription efforts, as assigned by the bishop.