Who Do I Work With?

Members of the Ward

Build sincere relationships with the members in your ward to help them feel loved and help them come unto Christ. Reach out to each of them as the Savior would (see Luke 18:16), including visiting them in their homes, counseling with them during annual tithing settlement interviews, and being an example of Christlike behavior (see 1 Timothy 3:1–7). Encourage members to seek the guidance of the Spirit in fulfilling their sacred roles as disciples of Jesus Christ.

Bishopric

You serve in a bishopric with two counselors. The counselors in your bishopric will support and sustain you. Give your counselors opportunities to serve and grow by delegating responsibilities to them. Teach and uplift your counselors through regular stewardship and accountability interviews. As your bishopric counsels together and seeks to follow the example of the Savior, you will gain insights and inspiration about how best to minister to one another and to those you serve.

Executive Secretary

The executive secretary acts as an administrative assistant to the bishopric. He attends bishopric and ward council meetings. He can assist you with preparing agendas, following up on assignments, coordinating with ward leaders, scheduling appointments, and other duties you assign him.

Ward Clerk

The ward clerk provides administrative support to the bishopric. He attends bishopric and ward council meetings and takes notes on decisions made in those meetings. He also works with the finance and membership records of the ward.

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three men sitting in classroom

Ward Leaders

Organize and delegate the work of the ward to other ward leaders so that all have opportunities to minister to the members and families under their stewardship. Help leaders understand their responsibility to create a spiritual and safe environment for all members, especially children, youth, and teachers. When adults are teaching children or youth in Church settings, at least two responsible adults should be present. Ensure that all leaders are familiar with and follow Church policies and guidelines on preventing and responding to abuse.

Ward Council and Ward Youth Council

You preside over the ward council and the ward youth council and are responsible for leading meetings of these councils (see General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7.1.1.3; 29.2.5–29.2.6).

A ward council or ward youth council meeting should be a revelatory experience. Elder David  A. Bednar taught the following about a ward council meeting: “We’ve been talking about a revelatory experience with the members of the ward council. And if members of councils, if members of families, as they come together, would think in terms of ‘I’m preparing to participate in a revelatory experience with my family’ instead of going to a meeting—a revelatory experience with the members of the ward council—I think we would prepare and act much differently” (in M. Russell Ballard, in “Panel Discussion” [worldwide leadership training meeting, Nov. 2010], broadcasts.ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

If you are unable to attend a ward council or ward youth council meeting, assign one of your counselors to preside in your place.

Stake Presidency

The stake presidency will be a resource to you, providing support and ongoing encouragement. In stake president interviews and stake training meetings, you will receive instruction to help in your service.

High Councilor

The stake high councilor assigned to your ward will be a great resource to you and your ward. He can provide training and communication between the ward and the stake. He may be invited to attend bishopric and ward council meetings.