Since I have interviewed hundreds of leaders across the world in our How I Lead segment where I explore their personal approach to a specific calling, it’s probably only fair for me to share what I do as an elders quorum president.
Over the past six months or so, I have had the opportunity to serve as elders quorum president, and I have thoroughly enjoyed it, to say the least.
Of course I bring my own personality and style to the role; however, there are a few things I have discovered that could easily be a template for other elders quorum presidencies who are struggling to get life and energy into elders quorum.
So here are my suggestions that any elders quorum could implement to enhance the experience in quorum meetings.
1. Embrace the Cultural Hall
For years, elders have been meeting in the cultural hall for quorum meetings; mainly because church architects, for some reason, never designed a room for elders quorums (we are the forgotten demographic).
However, I embrace this fact.
I love the open space and the ability to spread out in different groups (more on this later).
2. Start with a Warmup
This is sound advice for any teacher.
Don’t just start with a prayer and then jump into the lesson.
You need to warm up the group to the experience.
I mentioned some warmup ideas previously; however, how to do this probably deserves its own newsletter message.
The point is to do a simple interactive activity that gets the group talking.
• Do a spotlight interview of someone in the quorum
• Ask questions that get them reflecting on their past week
• Share good news moments
• Pair up the group and have them get to know each other for 5 minutes
• Show a short church video or song and ask reflection questions
I typically use the warm-up time to naturally transition into the suggested 10-minute quorum council discussion.
3. No Class Instructor, Multiple Facilitators
I’ve never called an elders quorum instructor.
Instead, before each quorum meeting, my presidency asks specific quorum members the following, typically via text message:
Would you be able to help us out in elders quorum on Sunday?
• Pick any general conference talk
• Prepare to facilitate a discussion with 4-6 elders
• The discussion will last 10 to 15 minutes
Let me know if you have any questions.
We typically ask 4 men to facilitate each quorum meeting, which makes 4 groups of 6-9 men.
This approach accomplishes several things:
• Rotating facilitators allows more men to contribute in quorum meetings, which builds community and friendships
• Facilitators get to pick a general conference talk they are more connected to, which makes for a personalized discussion
• Smaller groups make it easier to stimulate discussion, and men get to know more individuals on a personal basis
4. Pray for One Another
Eight minutes before the end of class, whoever is conducting interrupts the discussions and invites everyone to circle up.
A member of the elders quorum shares a short 2-minute spiritual thought and also shares a personal way that the quorum could pray for them.
We then remind the quorum to keep this information in the room in order for others to feel safe in sharing.
We then invite anyone in the room to share how we can pray for them as a quorum.
Sometimes, this requires a few quiet moments as we wait until men are willing to raise their hand and share.
This is often the most powerful part of the meeting and stimulates connection and brotherhood beyond anything else we do.
We then invite one person to offer the closing prayer and remember these specific prayer requests.
That’s the basic model for quorum meeting:
1. Embrace the Cultural Hall
2. Start with a Warmup
3. No Class Instructors, Multiple Facilitators
4. Pray for One Another
Maybe some of this is inspiring and you can tweak it to the needs of your quorum.
It’s all based on stimulating a foundation of community and connection.
If you’re able to do that, then more of your quorum members will feel the transformation of His doctrine and its redemptive power.
See what others are saying about this message HERE.
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE.
