How I Lead as a Bishopric Counselor | Interviews with Michael Newton and Michael Hjorth

Michael Newton Michael lives in Kaysville, Utah, with his wife SaraJean. He grew up in the Bountiful/Centerville area of Davis County, Utah, attended Brigham Young University, and studied law in Illinois. They lived in New York City where he practiced law before returning to Utah. He now does legal counsel and strategy for a company in the Salt Lake valley. He has served as a counselor in four bishoprics and in Young Men and elders quorum presidencies. He served in the bishopric in his former ward, which recently split. Highlights 6:50 About Michael's current ward in Kaysville and how the ward split when it was formed Principles 10:20 1. Candid counsel: saying what needs to be said; speaking up without worrying about what others think 12:20 The leader can help by being willing to listen to everyone's perspectives and to make decisions afterward 14:20 Having the conversation with the leader so they know that you will be candid and push back a little, testing and asking questions 18:40 2. The Savior's title of Counselor: reminder to think of what the Savior did, teaching and ministering without forcing 20:00 Return and report: go and put in your best effort when asked to do something 21:20 3. Lift the burden: support the bishop as he administers so that he can delegate to you 24:55 Frame the conversation as, "I've noticed this... I was thinking we could do this. What do you think about it?" 26:45 Counselors can help lift the heavy burdens that the Bishop alone must carry by listening and ministering to him 31:00 Being a counselor facilitates ministering and teaching as Christ did Michael Hjorth Michael lives in Boise, Idaho, but is in the process of moving to Sacramento, California. He has been a counselor in two bishoprics. Highlights 33:45 His first calling to serve in a bishopric was a surprise and a big learning curve 34:50 Start by praying for your own testimony of the validity of the calling of that new bishop 35:42 Come to training with the stake president with an open mind 36:50 Using technology can make everything better, tracking notes and communicating Principles: 38:25 1. Leveraging humility 39:30 2. Obedience 40:50 3. Communication: you have to be able to follow-through and go back to handle the tasks you are given * 43:45 He would leave his binder open to remind himself that he still had tasks to do, then added them into his daily calendar throughout the week * 45:20 You are the voice to the ward for the bishop. He cannot do it all and needs you to fulfill your tasks and carry his messages to others; prepare people for upcoming meetings so they can be more productive 48:00 4. Duty: Have your own sense of duty and pass it on to others 50:00 Training new leaders in organizations 52:50 Being willing to do the Lord's will in how you approach the work 55:00 Be approachable and willing to befriend more people in the ward 58:50 He learned to be more prayerful and to want the Spirit more in his life