Called as District Leader

THE CHURCH OF  JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS

FIJI SUVA MISSION

2-20 LAKEBA ST., SAMABULA, SUVA, FIJI TELEPHONE: (679) 338-8930 – FACSIMILE: (697) 338-8943

30 May 2019


Dear Elder Swallow,

I am pleased to extend to you the call to serve as District Leader for the Nadi District of the Lautoka Zone. You have been selected because of your ability and willingness to accept responsibility and to render service to your fellow missionaries and thereby to your Father in Heaven.

This assignment represents a significant trust that you will manage this new stewardship in humility and love.  Your opportunity to influence others has now expanded.  Your responsibility is to influence those in your stewardship to do better.

Please re-read the Missionary Leadership section in The Missionary Handbook. It explains that this is an opportunity “to serve others, to develop greater love, and to learn.” Be an example to your own companion and let your companionship be exemplary in the district and zone. Develop the unity the Savior prayed for among his disciples.

As well as the ministering part of the calling, there is an administering side also. Be accurate, thorough and punctual with respect to reports and requests from your leaders. Use these reports to identify areas where your missionaries should strive to improve in your district. The Handbook identifies other areas of responsibilities. The section ends with “Correct missionaries’ conduct when needed.” This is a difficult aspect of your calling. All missionaries need correction from time to time. That is one way we grow. But you must do it for the right reasons. Think of the way the Savior corrected the woman caught in adultery. Follow His example, and then show forth an increase in love.

One of your greatest opportunities is the weekly District Meeting. You and your companion need to plan it well. Re-read the section on District Meetings in Preach My Gospel. Review the Key Indicators and look for ways to praise and help. Encourage discussions among the missionaries that will strengthen and unite them. As you identify areas of challenge, role-play relevant situations so they can improve their teaching skills.

Finally, work with the Zone Leaders. They can be of great help to you. Seek their counsel. I have confidence in you and wish you much success.

With appreciation and love,


John R. Higgins, President Fiji Suva Mission

Cc: Parents, Stake/Mission President, Bishop/Branch President

District Leader’s Responsibilities

1.       “He shall feed his flock like a Shepherd” Isaiah 40:11

     

District leaders are to know and understand the individual missionary to help him or her successfully achieve their purpose.    
 

• The sheep know not the voice of strangers.- John 10:4-5
• As leaders we are to emulate the Good Shepherd- Topical Guide “Shepherd”
• Shepherd vs Sheepherder- John 10:11-13

2.       Companionship Exchanges

     

As instructed in the Missionary Handbook (pages 63-64), District leaders are to conduct exchanges with each Elder in his district each transfer cycle. Here are some guidelines that will be helpful in making these exchanges successful:
 

• Plan and go with a purpose
• Take charge of companion study and do role plays to increase teaching effectiveness.
• Train the missionary to improve on all aspects of work. You may take time out of proselyting to do so.
• Review planning tools, but remember they have the right to check yours to. 
• Always evaluate; emphasize the good and then give a few well pondered points for them to work on. These suggestions are best applied right there while on the exchange.  Do all this in a spirit of love and concern for their improvement.
• Find out their vision for the area and help them set meaningful goals to move forward.
• Report all these findings to your Zone Leader and also in your weekly letter to President. 

3.       Receives Accountability – Key Indicators

     

Every missionary has been given a stewardship, with this comes accountability for the area and responsibility for which he or she is entrusted.  District Leaders receive an accounting from their District members on Sunday evenings, after the weekly wrap up.  They then pass this call in summary to their Zone Leaders and account to them later that same evening.

 

The key indicators quantify important areas in which we work. When properly reviewed they can identify areas where we need to focus our efforts. As we review them over several weeks we can see trends that can confirm successes we are achieving and areas we need to modify how we are doing.

Some things to look for:

·         Are member present lessons improving, and how can we approach Preach My Gospel’s challenge to have a member present at every lesson?

·         Do the lessons to recent converts properly reflect the baptisms we have previously had?

·         Does attendance at sacrament meeting indicate effectiveness in extending commitments?

·         Are progressing investigators leading to setting baptismal dates?

·         Are less actives returning to full activity?

·         When discussing these numbers are you also talking about investigators by name, i.e. are they more than just a number?

Look for other ways to discuss these indicators that will make missionaries more effective. Set goals for the following week by companionship and then have them report on them the following week.

4.       Directs and Delegates District Meetings

Consider the purpose of a District Meeting; which is to “teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom” (see D&C 88:77 & PMG pg ix).  The following will help in achieving this purpose:

• Plan: The District Leader is responsible for planning the meeting
• Prepare: If ye are prepared ye shall not fear. Prepare and assign presentations that address specific areas of concern in your district. 

·         Delegate: Give assignments (such as Personal Progress) well in advance, the selection should not be casual. Make sure you follow up at the meeting on what has been delegated.

·         Directs: The District Leader is responsible for the spiritual atmosphere of the District Meeting.  Get your district to open up and be involved. Create an environment of sharing insights, asking questions and teaching one another. Invite the Spirit in your meeting.

·         Give them something to take home that will help them apply what they have learned and give them a challenge for the upcoming week.

5.       Conducts Baptismal Interviews

Review “How to Conduct the Interview” in Chapter 12 of Preach My Gospel