The following article -actually a series of excerpts- is all about Mormon missionaries. However, transpose the words "Radical Centrism" each time you read "LDS" or "Mormon" and you'll get the idea. RC is dynamite stuff if you actually take it to heart. Of course, for that you need to understand it and make it your own. Anyway, if I was pastor of the Radical Centrist Church of Modern-Day Independents the sermon message for today would be: Get on fire for RC ! BR 11 can't-miss tips for successful LDS missionaries
By _Jason F. Wright_ (http://www.deseretnews.com/author/22829/Jason-F.-Wright.html) , For the Deseret News Published: Tuesday, Aug. 13 2013 BE WILLING TO WORK HARD!!! Missionary work is hard physical and mental work no question. You are up early and to bed late and you read more than you ever have. Before you go on a mission learn to work hard in what ever way you can. Athletics teaches loads of great values you can use on a mission. Working outside the home and earning your mission money is another great teacher. Anyway you do it - learn to LOVE hard work Never forget that because you are known to be a member of the Church, people who don't know much about the Church will see the whole Church in you, and in everything you do. When President MacKay said "Every member a missionary", he extended this caution to all members, not just the full time missionaries. Have you ever seen a person or a family on TV and thought "I bet they're LDS"? Would others think that if they saw you? I loved my mission, but many times my missionary work ended up being the daunting task of "cleaning up" after previous missionaries. This included re-gaining the members' trust and even re-teaching them what a missionary's job is: basically, not being lazy Know your history and doctrines well, and those of the area in which you serve. A missionary should know his doctrines, not just be enthusiastic. Otherwise, one can be espousing false doctrines. Nothing is more frustrating than looking into the eyes of sincere missionaries, smart and dedicated, who slept through seminary and do not accurately know the basics of world religions. Know the outside world...Get to know the culture of the people you're among. You will be bored and hate being in the mission field if you don't learn about the people you're serving Every new member needs a friend. As a non-Mormon who has worked in sales, I would also offer this advice: be friendly to everyone you meet, including the folks who tell you to go away. The impression you make with that first contact will affect how they perceive those who come after you, and those who aren't buying today may decide down the road that what you were offering is worth another look. Someone who never gains a single convert himself can still set things in motion for many conversions later on without being aware of it. Love those you teach with all your heart, even the ones who ultimately reject the message. You will plant seeds that may not be harvested for months or years by others who will come after. But you'll harvest some that were planted by missionaries now home, married and gray. If you have faith....you will see it unfold in miraculous ways Leave nothing behind and don't regret a single day. Give praise. Tell your companions, especially the challenging ones, that you think they're great missionaries and, eventually, they will be. At some point you will inevitably be assigned the companion with the “reputation.” Let them know you’ve only heard terrific things about them and offer a clean slate. When your mission is complete, be the one who says every single companion he had was amazing. Be yourself! Smile! Laugh! Have fun!.... The Lord doesn’t want us to be different people — he wants us to be better versions of ourselves. -- -- Centroids: The Center of the Radical Centrist Community <[email protected]> Google Group: http://groups.google.com/group/RadicalCentrism Radical Centrism website and blog: http://RadicalCentrism.org --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Centroids: The Center of the Radical Centrist Community" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
