Something Great in Porterville!
Dear Elders and Sisters:
We've studied the Fulcher case, the Donaldson Papers, the
Fourth Missionary and other articles that teach and inspire us to become better
Missionaries. These examples, outlines, and teachings guide and inspire
us to "Journey to Higher Ground" as we strive to live our Missionary
Purpose. I am pleased to share we have our own case study developing
within the CFM - the Porterville Plan.
In our Porterville Zone, Missionaries are working very
faithfully and diligently to live their purpose just as all of you are.
But beyond that there is something more. Everything seems to have
come together well in the Porterville Zone to find a wonderful balance of doing
all the things required to be a Complete Missionary. I highlight here a
few key ingredients that stand out to me to highlight the results. I know
you are striving to obtain these results as well and encourage you to read and
study this for the revelatory experience it can be to bless you in your
ministry.
In Porterville, Zone Leaders are ministering (also means
teaching) well to District Leaders and when inspired, and with District Leader
coordination, ministering well to other Zone companionships. District
Leaders have gone way above and beyond their call to "do" exchanges
and are "accomplishing" some marvelous results as well as they
minister/teach the Missionaries in their stewardships through extra exchanges,
follow-up, encouragement, etc. Sister Training Leaders are accomplishing
the same as they work with their stewardships. As important as what
leadership is accomplishing, paramount to the success is the buy in and
commitment of the Missionaries. Are they striving to be exactly obedient?
Yes! Are the willing to sacrifice? Yes! But more than
this they have become consecrated in all they do. They seek and receive
correction and are so very willing to do all their leaders are teaching and
encouraging them to do. While I recognize this may not be different than
where you are serving, there does seem to be a difference in the love that
exists between all of them and their common commitment to the Standards of
Excellence of the Mission. They seem to have become equally yoked (and
this means Missionaries with Missionaries and Missionaries with Members) in the
Work of Salvation.
These Missionaries also seem to have found a wonderful
balance between finding on their own and through Members. Coupled with
the support of Stake and Ward Leadership, most every night Missionaries are on
splits with Members - one companion as a Home or Visiting Teaching Companion
and the other with a Ward Missionary or Member teamed up to work in the area.
While this takes an enormous commitment to planning and organization, the
fruit of this is sweet. Members and Missionaries are working very well
together and not only are New Investigators found each week going up (for the
last three weeks each companionship has exceeded the CFM Standard of
Excellence) but all the other Key Indicators are going up as well. Each week
the number of w/date and @Sac increases and the baptisms are following to be
sure. One key thing I have also noted is that the finding on their own
has not gone down and overall finding has increased because finding through the
Members has increased. They are doing well at "Finding when you
Teach" Less-actives and Part-members. Yesterday as I sat in
correlation with the Zone Leaders and Stake Presidency, it was noted that Home
Teaching has increased significantly in the Porterville Stake.
I believe what is key to Porterville's success is an
attitude and willingness to be "all in", "fully invested",
and completely focused on living their Missionary Purpose in a well-rounded,
PMG way. I believe love for one another and a willingness to give and receive
correction are key ingredients as well. Another way to describe this is
they are becoming Consecrated in living their Missionary Purpose. This
consecration can only occur on a foundation of exact obedience and sacrifice
and the three are inextricably connected.
Now, please do not be offended. Highlighting the
Porterville Zone as an example is only meant to help you receive revelation on
what you might do differently, more of, become better at, or what weapons of
rebellion you should lay down to better live your Missionary Purpose and work
better with Members in this great labor. Each week when I review CFMOPPS
and your individual letters for the Key Indicators, the numbers tell me a
story. The Key Indicators teach me a lot about Missionaries, Districts,
Zones, and Leadership and these Key Indicators tell me that something is
happening in the Porterville Zone we need to take note of and study. To
watch Missionaries consistently find in excess of our Standards of Excellence
and have all the other Key Indicators increase as a result, tells me there is
something great going on in Porterville and we need to learn from it.
I love the CFM for its wonderful Missionaries, for all
you do in your quest to be exactly obedient, your willingness to sacrifice, and
most of all, your love for the Lord. I truly appreciate how diligent you
are and simply encourage you to learn from one another that we may all
"Journey to Higher Ground" in this great Work of Salvation.
With much love and great appreciation,
President Clark
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