Ward Temple and Family History Leader-capabilities

Dennis Campnell

To what degree is the Ward Temple and Family History Leader expected (or required) to "lead by example?"

1. Is being active in his own Temple and Family History enough?
2. should he be expected to be competent is the use of FamilySearch?
3. Should he be expected to be able to function as a Ward T&FH Consultant?
4. Should he be expected to train the Ward T&FH Consultants?
5. On the other extreme, can the Ward Temple and Family History Leader simply function as a "hand off executive" leaving the actual "work" to the Ward Temple and Family History Consultants?

Sincerely,

Dennis Campnell

N Tychonievich

@Dennis Campnell. You might want to review the information here:

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/my-calling-as-a-temple-and-family-history-leader?lang=eng

While the calling is described as one of coordinating the work, I believe it would be helpful for a temple and family history leader to have a strong testimony of temple and family history work and some level of involvement in the work. He would not typically be expected to function as a T&FH Consultant. Yes, he has responsibility for the training of T&FH Consultants. He can do it himself or ask someone else to do it.

In my stake, most of the leaders ask me (I am the stake temple and family history consultant) to traing new ward consultants. I'm always happy to do that, but always request that the T&FH leader join us in the training so that he knows what we discussed and can, hopefully, make good use of the consultants.

Yes, he can just coordinate and leave the work of helping the ward members to the consultants. That is what they are called to do. It is not a cop-out to do that.

Hope that helps a little bit.

WilbergClarkN

@Dennis Campnell Maybe my expectations are high, but my personal philosophy has always been: "Never ask anyone who works for you to do something that you are not capable of doing yourself." It's hard to lead from the back of the pack; you can't lift anyone higher than you stand yourself. The Handbook, section 25.2.3, outlines additional responsibilities beyond "coordinating...efforts", to include "Lead coordination meetings", "Attend ward council meetings", "Help...develop T&FH plan", "Instruct ward T&FH consultants", etc. To me, these responsibilities require that the ward T&FH leader be knowledgeable of the aspects of being a T&FH consultant if he is truly seeking to fulfill and magnify his calling. Coordination requires knowledge of the details in order to ensure efforts are effective. Just my personal bias, but someone who just "coordinates" is a manager, not a leader. As I stated, my expectation are high--but that's the way I strive to complete my responsibilities.

JanTropp

Thank you for you comments. I am now training our 4th T&Fh Leader and this helps a lot. Is there a T&Fh Leader site or something to help guide a new leader?

Thanks,

Jan Tropp

N Tychonievich

@JanTropp Wonderful resources for new T&FH Leaders are here:

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/my-calling-as-a-temple-and-family-history-leader?lang=eng

JanTropp

Thanks, thats just what I needed.

MLV2

Besides instructing and coordinating the consultants, the TFHL supports the EQ and RS presidencies in their direct responsibility/accountability for the TFH work in the ward, as well as the other organizational presidencies. He supports the ward council in the implementation of the ward TFH plan, which he helps the EQ and RS TFH counselors develop.

If you look at the miniscule difference between ward missionaries and ward TFH consultants, the former helps members experience the blessings of sharing the Gospel and the latter helps members experience the blessings of discovering their ancestors and performing temple ordinances on their behalf (or seeing that they are performed). The TFHL helps it all happen by organizing the disparate efforts and those called to be resources.

1. Is being active in his own Temple and Family History enough? IMO - No
2. should he be expected to be competent is the use of FamilySearch? IMO - Yes. If not, he needs to learn
3. Should he be expected to be able to function as a Ward T&FH Consultant? IMO, ideally yes at least to some degree, but if not yet ready, he needs to get ready
4. Should he be expected to train the Ward T&FH Consultants? IMO, yes, or at least see that it is done and learn as well
5. On the other extreme, can the Ward Temple and Family History Leader simply function as a "hand off executive" leaving the actual "work" to the Ward Temple and Family History Consultants? IMO, No. At least no more than any organizational president, bishop, stake president, et al, can function that way. If they do, they are cinder blocks in the road to progress and hinderances to the work. He must delegate, involve others to the maximum extent possible, not try to do everything himself, but hands-off cannot support those he is charged to support, including the consultants.

Dennis Campnell

Thank you so much for all of the comments, insights, ideas, and opinions. I have been unsure of this issue for a long time and your contributions have helped me come to some conclusions and chart a way forward in my calling as the High Council person assigned to Temple & Family History.

1. I really liked the idea that if we as a stake leader are training a new ward family history consultant we involve the Ward Temple and Family History Leader. That approach means we are carrying out our responsibility for training, but in a way that supports and strengthens the WTFHL, and does not totally put us in a position of simply 100% doing his job for him. In May 2022 we had a newly called WTFH and I set the expectation that he will be responsible for training newly called consultants in his ward, but that I would work with him in this task until he felt comfortable in doing it on his own. We just started working with a newly called consultant in his ward. This approach has been successful and "feels right" to all involved.
2. I have suggested to the stake leaders that one strategy a ward could use would be to call a person as a TFH consultant first and then, if successful, call that person as a WTFHL. This strategy insures that the WTFHL is technically competent to function in the calling he is supervising. We are in the process of trying this out in one of the wards currently.

Finally, I have been very impressed by the following quote, as I have pondered how to approach this topic:

 “First and foremost, we as leaders need to personally participate in the work of salvation and exultation in our own homes with our own family and friends.    

 As we do so, we develop firsthand knowledge and confidence in Discovering, Gathering, and Connecting our own family members.    

 We develop empathy and receive revelation to reach out and minister to others and we have the confidence and faith to help them.”  

(Elder Dale Renlund, opening remarks, Family History Leadership Session, 2/27/2020,  Roots Tech 2000)

MLV2

I would add that it is the EQ presidency, with the RS presidency, who are responsible for leading the work of salvation in the wards. They should be the ones recommending to the bishop those to be called. Comparing the sections for ward TFHL and TFH consultants with ward mission leader and ward missionaries reveals the similitude of these callings, and what should be considered with suggesting those to serve.

Kris Heyborne

Thank you for your question and for all the answers. My husband and I will make use of these ideas as we train others in our area.

We appreciate these ideas, links, and quotes!

Kris