2021
Am I Really Making a Difference through Ministering?
November 2021

Am I Really Making a Difference through Ministering?

By Paige Bryson

When we act in faith and with love, every effort counts.

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three women walking down the street

We talk a lot about ministering in the Church. And many times, the idea I’ve understood regarding ministering can be paraphrased as “find a need, fill a need.” Those are the stories epitomized at the pulpit in general conference talks. Those are the stories that become well-known ministering examples. And though these stories do happen, they aren’t the only opportunities we have to minister. In my experience, they are not even the most common ways to minister.

Often, when we ask those to whom we minister what they need, they’ll respond that they don’t need anything; they’re all set. For someone who is genuinely trying to fulfill their calling to minister, that can be a disheartening response. Over time, they might start to feel like there is nothing they can do to serve that person.

But what if we thought beyond just filling needs to truly caring for others as Jesus Christ did? What if we ministered by simply following the gentle, generous promptings about those we minister to? Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles put it perfectly when he said, “Each day, in myriad ways, we each need and can offer ministering love and support in small, simple, powerful, life-changing ways.”1

With the leaders of the Church encouraging us to find small and simple ways to minister, what’s holding us back? Well, sometimes our own thoughts can get in the way. One of the things that have hindered my efforts in ministering is not knowing if my efforts will “count.” Do our ministering efforts count if they aren’t specific, tangible actions like offering a meal or a ride?

Yes, they do.

Do our ministering efforts count if they go without acknowledgment or reciprocation?

Yes, they do.

Every time we follow the Spirit to act, we feed Christ’s sheep.

As Sister Jean B. Bingham, Relief Society General President, said: “Sometimes we think we have to do something grand and heroic to ‘count’ as serving our neighbors. Yet simple acts of service can have profound effects on others—as well as on ourselves.”2

Ministering starts with a simple desire to serve others and often involves acting on small spiritual promptings. We can always pray for help to know how to best serve those we minister to, but here are a few ways we can enrich the days of those around us:

  • Share a podcast.

  • Take lunch to them at work.

  • Invite them to hang out with you and your friends.

  • Lend them a copy of your favorite book.

  • Start a dinner group, book group, or other type of gathering.

  • Attend an activity they planned.

  • Follow them and positively interact with them on social media.

  • Prepare for and participate in a lesson they’re teaching in church.

Of course, this is not an exhaustive list—there are endless ways we can minister, especially as we seek revelation to understand the needs of those we serve. We can pray for the Spirit to inspire us with thoughts of how we can care for individuals, whether it be through building friendship, fostering unity, or increasing a sense of belonging.

As we put in effort to actively minister to others, let’s also remember to let others minister to us. Don’t be the one to perpetuate the “I don’t need anything; I’m all set” mindset. Let your ministering brothers or sisters get to know you and try to get to know them too. Look for unexpected ways that you have been ministered to and acknowledge them. Expand your concept of ministering, and remember, when you act in faith and with love, your efforts count.