Five Ways to Be a More Christlike Minister

Giving loving service does not have to be complicated.

It seems that life gets more complicated the older we get. With so many obligations, time quickly disappears. So how do we fit in important responsibilities like ministering? We all want to serve as the Savior, but how can we? From the article “Ministering as the Savior Does” by Sister Jean B. Bingham, we can draw five simple principles to help us.

1. 

   Photo by Tuan Nguy Minh.

   Ask “What Does He or She Need?”

It may seem obvious, but asking yourself what the person you are serving needs is the first step to serving as the Savior. The need could even be as simple as a text or an invitation to an activity.

2. Seek the Guidance of the Spirit

When seeking to know what the person you are serving needs, let the Spirit be your guide. He will inspire you to know the best way to serve.

3. Be Consistent

Diligently serving the people you minister to over time (even through small acts of kindness) will show them that you truly care.

4. Work with Others

If you feel that the person you minister to needs more service than you alone can give, don’t hesitate to reach out to others. Ministering can bring a ward together in love.

5. Open Your Heart

Sister Bingham says, “After all is said and done, true ministering is accomplished one by one with love as the motivation.” When we act with charity, the Lord will help us be successful ministers.

Our lives may be busy, but applying simple steps like these can make ministering a blessing and help us to serve our brothers and sisters more as the Savior does.

Read or watch Sister Bingham’s original address “Ministering as the Savior Does” to learn more about how we can cultivate Christlike service.

Source: LDS General Conference

—Emily Cook, Mormon Insights

FEATURE IMAGE BY PRISCILLA DU PREEZ

Find more insights

Read more about service in Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s talk “Be With and Strengthen Them.”