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Leading Saints started in 2010 when Kurt Francom had an idea. He had served as an elders quorum president, in a bishopric, and then as a high priest group leader, but he felt like he had not met his own expectations as a leader. In this podcast, Kurt shares his journey founding the platform that has grown into a 501c(3) nonprofit organization sharing leadership principles to support lay leaders in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He also shares seven misconceptions that members have about church leadership, learned over the course of those ten years.
Highlights
5:00 Kurt’s experiences that led up to starting what has become Leading Saints, and how it went from there to what it is now
- 10:20 Blogging at LeadingLDS
- 14:50 Started podcasting in 2014, founded the nonprofit in 2016
16:50 Frequently asked questions
- Memorable moments or bloopers: Mack Wilberg episode that didn’t happen, emails from random leaders who have benefitted from what we are doing
- 20:00 Favorite episode: interview with his second counselor, Heath
- 21:40 Has the Church ever approached you about leadership training? It’s not in the mission of the Church to produce more effective leaders, but there is a place for third-party organizations like Leading Saints to support the members and the mission
- 28:00 Where do you see Leading Saints in ten years? Producing an annual conference
30:30 Seven misconceptions members have about Church leadership
- 31:40 Misconception 1: Revelation comes through feelings
- 37:40 Misconception 2: Scriptures and handbooks are all we need to lead
- 40:45 Misconception 3: Meetings lead to progress
- 47:25 Misconception 4: Your ward wants solutions, not problems
- 50:30 Misconception 5: Leaders are spiritual parole officers
- 53:05 Misconception 6: Leaders receive promptings of their call before they are called
- 1:00:00 Misconception 7: Your authority, calling, or title allows you to lead
1:05:45 The final question: How has being a leader made you a better disciple of Jesus Christ?
Links
7 Self-Sabotaging Habits of Latter-day Saint Lay Leaders (and What to Do About Them) What I Learned About Leadership When My 2nd Counselor Left the Church Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us, by Daniel Pink 7 Unbreakable Rules of Church Meetings Articulating Problems Will Motivate Solutions | “Come Down” And Lead Pride and the Priesthood, by Dieter F. Uchtdorf lifestar.leadingsaints.org Become a Core Leader
As always I enjoy your podcasts. I wanted to share 2 potential new perspectives about your 7th misconception. The person who feels promptings prior to receiving a calling.
As stated sharing that experience in a testimony meeting may not be that helpful (akin to the person sharing theIt faith would produce the miracle of their spouse surviving cancer when in the audience is the widow who had a spouse die of cancer). But your perspective almost negates the value of these feelings and I think we should be careful negating the spiritual experiences of others. I have learned 2 perspectives about the value of these “pre-cognition” for callings. First came from a good friend who I was serving as his counselor in the bishopric. A new Stake Presidency was being called (he ended up being called as a counselor). He noted to me in private that leadership changes a lifted caused persons to reflect on themselves and their preparation and relationship with their Savior. That it was good that many would be considering this and even feeling from the Spirit they would be ready if called upon.
Second, I am married to a wonderful woman who grew up in a family not prone to serve at church. As my series of callings came about (blessed to have traveled a wide array of church leadership) the promptings that I should be prepared for specific assignments has helped her know it was Lord’s will and not just men picking me out for a skill set. You are correct to beware the pride of feeling “selected” but as you know it is far too easy to feel in a calling that “no way am I the right person for this calling.” How nice in those moments to remind yourself, “the Spirit confirmed to you you were meant to serve here. Whom the Lord calls, He qualifies. Be humble and trust in Him.”
Thanks again for an excellent podcast. I subscribe, I donate and I share much of the content to the wonderful leaders we have in the Abilene TX Stake.
I think we do need to be careful of expressing these “promptings”. I have been the supportive spouse too often to the point that any decision was based on “well the Lord called me to this position” and so we can’t . . . (fill in the blank)! Now, I doubt my own revelation because it feels like my husband’s revelation trumps my own, AND that the Lord chooses him over me, or that the Lord chooses him for positions and not me. It has caused me to do some real soul searching. Thank you for your insights.
I loved this episode! Another perspective about your 7th misconception (The person who feels promptings prior to receiving a calling)… Elder Dale G. Renlund talks about this in his most amazing book ‘The Melchizedek Priesthood’. In Chapter 16, Principle #8, A Priesthood Holder Serves where called, he quotes Elder Dallin H. Oaks where he said “There is no ‘up or down’ in the service of the Lord. There is only ‘forward or backward.’ and that difference depends on how we accept and act upon our releases and callings.” Elder Renlund continues, “A priesthood leader serves at the Lord’s pleasure with humility and willingness. When God calls, answer. When He does not call, hold your peace. Priesthood callings are not about God’s love or approbation. Priesthood holders must also wait upon the Lord to call them; positions in the priesthood are not sought. Consequently, it is contrary to the doctrine of the priesthood to recommend oneself for a position. On occasion, individual priesthood holders may feel a spiritual impression that they will be called to a position. Sometimes a person so inspired believes he has been informed by the Spirit that the calling will come to him (or her). Thereafter he may be confused if the call does not come. A few explanations are possible. Rarely, the prompting was not from the Holy Ghost, rather an emotional response. Sometimes, the spiritual prompting, though very real, is over interpreted. The Spirit may be informing the priesthood holder that he is worthy, should the call be extended to him. In other words, he stands approved of the Lord. Even when another man is called, he can sense God’s approbation for him.”
I too have felt the Spirit informing me that I am worthy of a calling, should a call be extended to me. It is a great feeling to have.