I remember visiting the Kirtland Temple and hearing about day-long meetings the early Saints would have in that sacred building.
People would practically be hanging from the rafters to hear the latest restoration perspective.
These meetings would carry on for hours because, quite frankly, how else are you going to learn information in the 1830s?
One could not simply turn on a podcast while they harvest the field.
This gather, sit, and listen tradition has continued to be the dominant way we process leadership efforts.
In some contexts, such as sacrament meetings and general conference, there is a purpose to them.
But for most other meetings, there is probably a better approach.
I’ve had two recent experiences related to a multi-stake leadership meeting/gathering, and they helped me identify a self-sabotaging habit we have as a faith community and a leadership community.
Naturally, we want to gather groups of leaders to offer them perspective and help them lead more effectively.
We default to holding these meetings in the chapel for a variety of reasons.
It holds a lot of people.
No need to set up chairs when the pews are bolted to the floor.
Audiovisual tools are ready, except for possibly setting up a projector if needed.
Boom…let’s go!
Let’s feed these good leaders with some content!
And in these meetings I attended, there were experienced leaders who presided and spoke well; however, I couldn’t help but look around the room at the collective experience and think…
“I wonder what that guy/gal over there does in their similar role?”
“What inspiration have other ward councils in this room received that would benefit my perspective?”
“Who’s doing it differently and why?”
Who’s doing it traditionally and why?”
Another dynamic in this chapel training setting is that 99.9% of the participants are in a beta state or a state of passive listening.
In 2025, it’s not hard to find content to sit and listen to.
You could reach more leaders in an area by simply recording each talk in a voice memo and sharing it with the masses.
If we’re going to take the time to put on the dress clothes and gather, let’s make it count.
Could we gather in the cultural hall and have more engaging, smaller discussions?
Could we instead do a service project and chat with other leaders in similar roles?
Could we invite 20 people to speak (instead of 2-3) and have them instruct smaller groups?
Revelation is spread among us, so let’s take the time to share it.
If it’s 1835, sure, let’s gather, sit, and listen.
But in 2025, let’s engage on a higher level.
What ideas do you have?
See how others are disagreeing with this message HERE.
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
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