Learn 16 painless ways to be a member missionary. Adapted from an article by Joni Hilton in Merdian Magazine.
In Matthew 9:37-38 it says:
37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
The Savior’s plea is for more laborers to share the gospel. A comparison found in the Come, Follow Me – for Individuals and Families is this: cleaning a dirty kitchen is much easier when several people work together than it is for one person to clean the entire kitchen by themselves. The same is with sharing the gospel. We can’t leave the task up to one person or just the full-time missionaries to do. We have got to do our part. When we do, when we are all working together, it makes the task much easier.
Keep in mind, our part as member missionaries is different than that of full-time missionaries.
Here are 16 painless ways to be a member missionary. Perhaps they will spark some ideas on how you can be a great member missionary!
This list was adapted from an article by Joni Hilton in Meridian Magazine. You can find the full article HERE.
This post contains affiliate links.
1. Anytime someone moves into your neighborhood or apartment building, take them a welcome basket filled with goodies and info about local places you recommend, take-out menus, medical referrals, and of course, your ward location, meeting times, and your cell phone number.
2. When you buy tickets to a movie, a sporting event, or a theatre production, buy an extra ticket or two, and find a nonmember to bring along.
3. Host a neighborhood potluck at your home—you actually save money on dinner doing this because all you have to provide is one main dish and the paper goods.
4. Whenever a nonmember asks how your weekend was, or what you’re doing this coming weekend, don’t be shy to tell them something about church or let them know how much families mean to you by telling them what you did or will be doing with your family.
5. Offer to help an acquaintance search their genealogy, either at the Family History Center or online.
6. Ask nonmembers to teach something at Relief Society activity nights, or ward events about finance, emergency preparedness, burglary prevention, fitness, self-defense, and so on.
7. Invite neighbors to traditional ward events, such as a Fourth of July pancake breakfast, a Trunk-or-Treat Halloween Activity, a nativity display at Christmas.
8.Pray for someone to share the gospel with before you go into a building or store. Sharing the gospel could mean simply doing a good deed. Then slow down, and look for that opportunity.
9. When neighbors are ill or hospitalized, ask if they’d like a blessing. Many people will accept this, thinking, “Can’t hurt, might help,” and then will feel the Spirit as the blessing is given.
10. Sponsor a Community Family Fair with speakers about marriage, parenting, and the importance of family. Have classes about how to help kids get good grades, how to enrich your marriage, how to have a family council, the best way to give allowance to kids, how to manage cell phone and computer use, how to deal with aging parents, and how to hold Family Home Evening, even if you’re not a member of the church.
11. Take primary kids to sing songs at a rest home.
12. Look for people who are alone for Thanksgiving, and invite them to join in your family’s feast.
13. Be a good neighbor. Help with babysitting or water plants and feed pets when neighbors travel.
14. Invite a nonmember family over for dinner, a dessert night, board games, or Family Home Evening.
15. Do you know nonmembers who like to sing? Invite them to join the ward choir.
16. Share a favorite scripture, quote, or church video on social media.
BONUS TIP: Be a friend. Everyone in this world could use a true and faithful friend they can trust and lean on when life gets hard. Be that friend regardless of whether they join the church or not.
For more great information on how to be a member missionary, check out my post Member Missionary Work Not Out of Your Comfort Zone by clicking HERE.
For the best book EVER on being a member missionary, check out The Power of the Everyday Missionaries.
This post was mentioned in Episode 10 of my Teach Me to Walk in the Light Podcast. Check it out by clicking HERE.
Yours Truly,
P.S. Receive more great teaching tips and gospel-related resources by signing up for my monthly Finding JOY Newsletter. Always packed with great resources to help you be the most effective teacher you can be at home and in your calling.
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