Recently I shared the idea of a bishop going on a “couch tour” in his ward in order to give every household a personal interaction with the bishop sitting in their home and connecting with them.

Many appreciated this idea, and others had concerns.

The most common critique of this idea can be summed up as follows:

The bishop’s main focus should be on the youth and not in spending time seeking in-home visits with other ward members.

This is a fair critique, especially in recent years when our general leaders have emphasized the need for a bishopric to be focused on the youth.

Here’s the thing…

It would be worth exploring what it actually means to “focus on the youth.”

For many that means:

• Staying up-to-date on bishop youth interviews
• Being present at youth activities
• Attending youth 2nd hour meetings
• Organizing youth presidency meetings
• Regularly holding bishop youth councils

When we interpret “focusing on the youth” as an effort to hyper-focus on being physically present with the youth at every opportunity, we are missing the holistic approach that can greatly bless the ward and in turn more effectively bless the youth.

Not to mention, the Handbook outlines a lot of responsibilities not related to the youth that the bishopric still needs to consider.

The youth don’t simply need adult mentors in the same room more often.

They need to experience a community where they will find an encouraging culture, personal support from many, and connection to the doctrines of Christ that are redemptive.

I do not understand how a bishopric can effectively do this without establishing a relationship with all members of the ward.

The bishop does not need to put a “youth focus” aside in order to engage with all members of the ward.

The bishop is literally putting the youth as a priority by doing so.

Of course, the bishopric definitely needs to stay up-to-date with youth interviews, be engaged in weekday activities, and be present at many of their 2nd hour classes.

However, interviews, weekly activities, and Sunday classes cannot thrive without the bedrock of a unified ward culture based on personal relationship (especially with their leaders).

In order to plant this culture, each ward member needs some level of personal interaction with the “father of the ward.”

So, what do you think?

Is a holistic approach necessary in order for a bishop to support the youth effectively?

Sincerely,

Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints

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