What Elders Quorum could be
“So what is ministering, anyway?”
I was sitting in a church gym, and the Elders Quorum teacher was leading the semi-annual discussion where we redefine the word “ministering,” since no one seems to know exactly what it means.
I was bored, so I looked around me and counted everyone in the room. 30 men.
And then it hit me: there are 30 men in this room with all kinds of life experience, yet all we do when we gather is listen to a teacher summarize talks from general conference. How amazing would it be if instead of discussing gospel doctrine, we spent the time teaching each other about practical and interesting topics?
Here are some of the topics that came to mind:
- Marriage and being a good husband
- Parenting and being a good father
- Being a good citizen
- Resolving conflict
- Being present
- Patience
- Scammer awareness and prevention
- Emergency preparedness for our homes
- Financial well-being
- Working with engines
- Winterizing
- Setting boundaries
- Taking care of your health in different phases of life
- Cooking
- Smoking meat
- Fishing
- Fixing holes in clothes
- Having a book club
- Self expression and writing
- Gun safety
- Truth seeking and good judgment
- Open Q&A with any burning questions for the group to discuss
I can’t imagine how much more interesting, engaging, and helpful Elders Quorum would be if it were structured this way. I think it would encourage bonding and friendship in more natural ways, and I would actually look forward to attending.