Leadership for Saints: Part 49

Gathering of the Saints: Think Purpose, Not Meeting

by Rodger Dean Duncan and Ed J. Pinegar

Great leaders focus constantly on a central vision.  Everything they do and say is aimed with laser beam precision on a deliberate, premeditated core purpose.  In the Church (and of course in the family), our core purpose is inviting people to come unto Christ. 

The doctrine of meetings is stated clearly in D&C 43:8-10:

And now, behold, I give unto you a commandment, that when ye are assembled together, ye shall instruct and edify each other, that ye may know how to act and direct my church, how to act upon the points of my law and commandments which I have given. And thus ye shall become instructed in the law of my church, and be sanctified by that which ye have received, and ye shall bind yourselves to act in all holiness before me—that inasmuch as ye do this, glory shall be added to the kingdom which ye have received. Inasmuch as ye do it not, it shall be taken, even that which ye have received.

A commandment is given that when we assemble together (have a meeting) we shall:

      1. Be instructed (by the Spirit)
      2. Be edified (by the Spirit)

So that we may know:

      1. How to act (by the Spirit)
      2.  How to direct the Church (by the Spirit)
      3.  How to act upon the points of the law and commandments (by the Spirit) so we will become instructed in the law of the Church—so that we may be sanctified by the things we receive. Then we will bind ourselves (make covenants and commitments) to act in holiness and righteousness before the Lord.

Now, when we do this in our meetings the results are wonderful.  Glory is added to the Kingdom (lives are blessed, people come unto Christ and souls are saved.)  And if we don’t do these things in our meetings, the results are sad: “. . . it shall be taken even that which ye have received.”

As we just learned, all meetings are to be directed by the Spirit.

And their meetings were conducted by the church after the manner of the workings of the Spirit, and by the power of the Holy Ghost; for as the power of the Holy Ghost led them whether to preach, or to exhort, or to pray, or to supplicate, or to sing, even so it was done (Moroni 6:9).

By definition, Latter-day Saints are busy people.  In a typical week we have sacrament meeting, priesthood meeting, Relief Society meeting, Sunday School classes, Primary activities, instruction for youth and many other meetings pertaining to planning, coordination, leadership and shepherding.  In addition, during the same week we may have social activities, sporting events, scouting campouts and many other gatherings.  In every single instance, the underlying purpose is to invite people to Christ.

The question begs: do our meetings fit the format designed by the Lord?

By covenant and by commandment, members of the Church meet together often to teach the doctrines of the kingdom and to strengthen one another.  This camaraderie and fellowship is a wonderful thing, and yet many of our meetings are not what they could or should be.

None of our meetings needs to be (or should be) boring or repetitious or lacking in clear achievement of desired outcomes.  None of us who lead meetings or participate in them should regard anything less than excellence as “just the way things are.”  Time—in increments of minutes, hours and years—is one of our greatest blessings.  There is no thief of time like a poor meeting.

So what can you do?  Plenty.

As a leader of meetings, you can personally manage all the components that result in success.  As a participant in meetings you do not actually lead, you can exert influence in ways that bless everyone present and significantly advance the causes for which you are gathered.  Great meetings are not terribly complicated, and they are certainly not accidental.

First, let’s consider how great leaders help produce great meetings.

Do you recall our discussion in an early section about the difference between transactional leadership and transformational leadership? 

Transactional leadership involves administrative things, sort of like making sure the train runs on time. 

Transformational leadership involves influencing positive change, sort of like making sure the train is headed in the right direction and everyone who wants to travel has a ticket.  Great meetings require both kinds of leadership.

Next time, we discuss smart meeting planning.

Quotes Worth Remembering

At the opening session President Young outlined the purpose of the meetings.

"…giving them such instructions and advice as we have for them, trusting that each and every heart may possess a due portion of the Spirit of God, so that the Saints may be strengthened, and that the truth may be taught in simplicity, and may commend itself to those who are as yet unacquainted with it."

At the closing session he fervently expressed the hope that the Saints would give their hearts to God and yield obedience to His principles. – Preston Nibley

It is most delightful to be in meetings where the Spirit of God reigns, controlling the speaker and softening the hearts of the hearers. I do not take any pleasure in meetings where this is not present. It is a blessed thing to know that God is with us, and that He condescends to pour out His Spirit and give unto us a testimony that He is with us. – George Q. Cannon

We need to strengthen our sacrament meetings and make them hours of worship in very deed. Cultivate a spirit of reverence, an attitude in which people come into the chapel and are quiet and reverent and thoughtful. – Gordon B. Hinckley

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.