Yate Ward Mission Plan 2011
“And by your hands I will work a marvellous work among the children of men...” D&C 18:44
There are two parts to the Ward Mission Plan. The first focuses on how individuals and families can contribute to missionary work. The second focuses on how the organisations within the Ward can support and enable those individuals and families in doing missionary work. To be successful, both rely critically on receiving and acting on inspiration from God.
The goals of the plan are:
1. Individuals and families develop and carry out their own mission plans which are adapted to their abilities and strengths.
2. The Ward missionary work is well organised so that the contributions of each individual and family are co-ordinated. Thereby the missionary work done by the Ward as a whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
Yate Ward will achieve these goals by doing the following:
· This mission plan will be introduced to the Ward as a whole to ensure a shared understanding of the vision for missionary work in the Ward and how it will be achieved. This would ideally be done through a Ward fireside.
· The Ward Mission Leader will coordinate training for Ward Missionaries so that they feel well prepared and confident in teaching the restored Gospel and assisting ward members in their roles as member missionaries.
· Missionaries (both Ward and full-time) will help individuals and families to develop their own mission plans.
· Those attending the weekly Missionary Co-ordination Meeting will seek inspiration to bring together and enhance each individual and family contribution to missionary work. For example, the full-time or Ward Missionaries may open the meetinghouse during the week to meet those needs.
· Priesthood and Auxiliary presidencies, as well as the Ward Council as a whole will seek inspiration so that Ward organisations support individuals and families as they contribute to missionary work.
· As the contributions of individuals and families become clearer, the Ward Council will update this mission plan to respond to the evolving needs and opportunities.
How do I make my own mission plan?
1. Seek inspiration from God through prayer, fasting, and scripture study. Another good resource may be your patriarchal blessing, if you have received one. You will need to seek inspiration at each stage.
2. Think about the following questions:
a. What strengths, talents or abilities do I have? These may not be obviously connected to missionary work, but write them down anyway.
b. How can these skills or strengths contribute to missionary work? Are there church callings in the past that I have enjoyed or done well at? What skills did these callings use?
c. What can you do to help your friends and family come to Christ? You may want to write down the names of specific people that come to mind.
d. What can you contribute to missionary work in the Yate Ward?
e. What can you do to improve upon your strengths? Or in other words, how can you “stand a little taller”?
3. From the answers to these questions, write down your plan. Consider discussing it with family members, your home teachers, or the ward or full-time missionaries.
4. Decide how you will put your plan into action. Place it in a prominent place so it is not buried and forgotten!
5. Review your plan periodically (such as monthly) to make adjustments and see how you are doing.
There is no right or wrong way to make your plan. You may find it helpful to set a few goals or to list some things that you will do and when you will do them. Your plan may change through the year as you have new ideas.
