M E R I D I A N     M A G A Z I N E

Leadership for Saints, Part 20:
Building Effective Councils
by Rodger Dean Duncan and Ed J. Pinegar

Editor’s Note: Are you ever frustrated in your leadership role at church, home or in the community? Do you wish you knew how to more effectively work with those in your stewardship? Read these excerpts from Leadership for Saints. All of those that have been run in Meridian are listed on the right sash.

For the sake of illustration, let’s consider a typical Latter-day Saint ward. The ward council consists of the bishopric, the priesthood quorum leaders, the ward mission leader, the ward activities chairman, and the presidents of the Relief Society, Young Men, Young Women and Primary. The council meets regularly to correlate the programs and activities in the ward and to align their efforts with sound principles and policies. The graphics that follow show what weak and strong correlation look like.

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Councils Work Best When . . .

• They allow for discussion and a free exchange of ideas.
  
• Each council member is an integral part of the whole, with opportunity to participate and contribute.
  
• They address the real problems and challenges of people and carry out specific plans to bless lives.
  
• They provide a regular time and place to deal with issues that need focus.
  
• They ensure that calendared items are carefully targeted to strengthen families and those with special needs. All good planning begins with a purpose.
  
• They create synergy and enthusiasm for the work of the Lord.
  
• They fulfill the teachings of Paul regarding everyone’s being a part of the body and the need for every part to work in concert with the others (see 1 Cor. 12:14, 18, 20-21, 26).
  
• They increase commitment, with individual council members—as well as the whole—“owning” the council’s goals and decisions.
  
• They constantly reinforce the spirit of unity through respectful exchanges and Christlike behavior.

Councils are truly the Lord’s way for us to be undershepherds. For a council to be effective, each member of the council must feel personally responsible for the success of the group. Never doubt the value of your own input. Never fail to invite others to participate. You may initiate a discussion above and beyond the scope of your comment that will result in breakthrough thinking.

Training Your Council, Counselors or Team

For your council to be effective, each person should receive instruction and training. Some of this is done during the call to service interview (we’ll discuss this in more detail later under “Communication: Building Bridges to Their Hearts”). Much of the instruction and training are part of the on-going process of service.

The purpose of training is to enhance people’s ability and to boost their performance related to their callings or tasks. This improves both efficiency (doing things right) and effectiveness (doing the right things).

Training can be of a general nature or it can be specific, depending on the needs and concerns of your people. As they review reports and observe performance, leaders can discern things that need attention. Then they can tailor the training to address issues with the biggest payoff.

Training sessions are ideal setting for boosting people’s spirits. Make sure all your training has a firm footing in sound doctrine. Bear personal testimony of the relevance of the task at hand and the linkage between individual effort and forwarding the Lord’s work. Express sincere love for your fellow workers. Offer frequent gratitude and affirmation for their contributions and commitment. Teach by the spirit so your people will draw closer to the Savior.

Training should be informational as well as inspirational. Abstract ideas with no specific “things to do” are usually ineffective. Statements like “Let’s all do better,” “We know we can improve,” or “Let’s gird up our loins” are pulpit pleas that seldom result in meaningful change. Effective training is a process that takes time and effort on the part of everyone involved. (See earlier parts under “Planning the Work, Working the Plan” for ideas on developing and accomplishing goals. In later parts we’ll discuss “Creating a Climate of Hope and Energy” for ideas on building an atmosphere that invites high performance.) In a word, good training requires focus.

Effective Training Occurs When . . .

• The Spirit is present and people feel the unconditional love of their leader.
  
• Appropriate feedback has helped determine where the “trainees” need assistance.
  
• The current situation and/or the performance of the group are thoroughly and candidly discussed.
  
• Ideas, strategies and goals have been discussed with the individuals or group to pinpoint needs.
  
• The training format provides time for questions and discussion of the topics—and, when appropriate, practice of what is taught.
  
• It’s done under the direction of the Spirit.
  
• The trainer provides good information and genuine enthusiasm for the importance and value of the training.
  
• There is time for introspection so people can make personal commitments to do better.
  
• Accountability is emphasized and follow-up training is carried out to emphasize the “return and report” nature of stewardship.

Successful training creates a feeling of self-worth and increases self-confidence. An increase in competence then tends to follow. First and foremost, training should strengthen testimonies.

Quotes to Remember

It seems that there are three keys to making stake councils work in the way they were designed and intended to work. First, beginning with the stake presidency, stake leadership must be committed to the council concept and to doing everything in their power to see that the councils are formed and operating as they should. Second, they must empower their councils; that is, give council members meaningful work to do. And finally, they have to get out of the way and allow the stake council to function.
– M. Russell Ballard

That Jesus is committed to the council concept cannot be questioned. Twice in ancient times He personally organized His Church on the earth, and both times He established it with governing councils. In both the Holy Land of the New Testament and the promised land of the Book of Mormon, He spent considerable time teaching and instructing and training His councils and council leaders, and then He sent them forth to share what they had learned with others. Although the circumstances surrounding the two experiences were different, they both share at least two key similarities that illustrate the Savior’s exemplary administration of councils. First, He taught His ancient councils carefully—by precept and by example…. Second, He loved those with whom He served in council. “As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you,” (John 15:9) … – M. Russell Ballard

When we are without the proper training and discipline, our minds themselves may become addled, mixed up, and confused.
– Sterling W. Sill

Note: The excerpts of Leadership for Saints posted on Meridian are only a fraction of the contents of this 349-page book. To learn more about this ground-breaking book and to order copies, click here.

© 2002 by Rodger Dean Duncan & Ed J. Pinegar