y s a   l e a d e r s

1. OVERVIEW
   1. Review a bishop's many roles: Judge in Israel, Presiding High Priest, Welfare, Finances and Priests' Quorum
   2. Bishop as teacher: teach doctrine and principles, build faith, strengthen testimony, access blessings of the Atonement (see D&C 43:8-10)
   3. Use of priesthood keys
   4. Study and teach from CHI (see D&C 107:99)
   5. Utilize the stake presidency and high council as resources
2. MINISTER: "SHEPHERDS OF THE FLOC

The following are 15 videos from a roundtable discussion among stake presidents and bishops who use YSA Service Councils (formerly known as "The Council System"). They discuss various aspects of YSA Service Councils and why they consider it an effective ward and stake organizational method.

The videos are also available for individual download.

Significant disagreement persists about the wisdom of singles wards. Some view them as the solution to the problem of so many YSA members falling away from the church, while others view YSA wards as the cause of it. The purpose of this essay is to explore whether, when and why stakes should create YSA wards or branches, and when it is best to ask YSA members to attend their geographic wards.

Bishop 1

Prior to being called as a bishop of a young single adult student ward, I had served in many callings in the church. But when the calling of bishop came and I was faced with being the person responsible for the success of the ward members it was a daunting challenge. My main goals for my ward members were increasing faith in Jesus Christ, strengthening families (current and future) and training leaders.

In his book Counseling with Our Councils, Elder M. Russell Ballard said, “The work of our wonderful women is vital… sister leaders can assist the priesthood in finding solutions and in teaching, strengthening, and preparing [others] to have a greater love for and dedication to the Lord Jesus Christ and His Church.“ He continued, “… draw upon the great power, insight, and wisdom that women can bring with them…”

True gospel leadership is to lead as the Master led: by diligently ministering one-on-one, with faith and prayer, having an eye single to the glory of God. The leaders of tomorrow must be taught the principles of good leadership—of Christ-like leadership—today. Brother Robert L. Backman outlines the need for building up good leaders in YSA wards:

“The Church leadership of the future will be built upon the foundation that is laid today. If you are denied opportunities to test your own strength, then the leadership foundation will be weak and unready.

In order to better understand how to promote friendship in your ward, it helps to realize the true feelings of a lot of members. A survey was taken by a Young Single Adult stake to identify patterns of behavior among its members. They found:

President Hinckley taught that all new members need a friend, a responsibility, and to be taught the good word of God. This is particularly important for young single adults. Unfortunately, there are many Young Single Adult Wards where less than one-half of the members have any responsibility or calling at all — let alone a “meaningful” calling. Young single adults need to be involved in building the kingdom. They can do so by: