Listen to the people

"I still can’t contain my excitement at what transpired.  Indeed, I believe many are unaware of the wonderful opportunity within the grasp of leadership and the singles they want to serve.  And I feel especially blessed to have leaders who chose first to listen to the people."

This past Sunday I decided to attend a special singles meeting in my stake.  I didn’t even know about the meeting until I went to church and saw the announcement in the bulletin: Special Meeting for singles tonight at the stake center.

My question then is probably your question now.  What’s a “special meeting for singles”?  I had no interest in another fireside, because typically they’re just another helping of Sunday School.  I get enough of that at church.

But a “special meeting”?  Needless to say, my curiosity was piqued.  And so I donned my white shirt and tie later than usual and, at the appropriate time, made my way over to the stake center.  As I walked in the door, a gentleman greeted me and asked if I were here for the fireside.

Instantly I cringed.  But, tampering down the anxiety attack within me, I replied, “Yes, I’m here for the meeting.”  This brother directed me to the Relief Society room.

Singles activities are often sparsely attended, but I guess the same influence that worked on me worked on others.  The room was packed!  I had to take a seat in the front corner of the room.

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Start by listening

I soon learned the purpose of the meeting.  The stake presidency was looking through the responses to the recent survey — wait, survey? I thought to myself.  What survey?  I never got told about any survey! — and now they wanted to take the opportunity to listen.

Hold up!  Listen?  You actually want to listen to us singles?  Hallelujah!  There is a God, and He hears and answers prayers!

The meeting then became something free form, with individuals sharing feelings and perspectives on LDS singles life and what singles need.  I of course have a lot to say on those topics.  But I decided to listen myself.  I wanted to learn what concerns were most prevalent so I could make my response more targeted to what people needed to hear.

But I never got the chance to share anything.  Many expressed frustrations with the family-centered LDS culture and with leaders who because of ignorance or apathy or whatever other reason aren’t sufficiently supporting singles.  By the time I grasped the main themes of others’ comments, the stake president ended the meeting.  Apparently there was another meeting to attend.  But he did offer some closing words of encouragement before ending the meeting with prayer.

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Raise your voice

Not having the chance to share my voice, I quickly approached the stake president as soon as the prayer had concluded.  As I shook his hand, I thanked him for listening.  Not many leaders actually stop to listen, and I made sure he knew what a rarity his approach unfortunately is.

We spoke briefly about what had just transpired, and I assured him that solutions do exist for all of the frustrations and negative emotions that had just been vented.  Those solutions we can find in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, but it takes a new way of thinking to see them.  Most people aren’t taught to think in those ways, which is part of the reason why I have my blog and radio show.

I then asked if it were okay for me to email some information that could bring added perspective on others’ comments.  He consented, and with that, I had my mission.  I knew what I needed to do.

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Act in faith

I rushed home and began writing that email.  After listing all of the concerns I could remember from others’ comments, I organized those concerns into themes, and then planned my response.

Because much of my response mirrors what I’ve already said on both my blog and the radio show, I decided to provide him with links to the relevant posts and shows.  Even with the links, I quickly amassed four pages of material.  I’m working on paring that down so it won’t overwhelm.

I still can’t contain my excitement at what transpired.  Indeed, I believe many are unaware of the wonderful opportunity within the grasp of leadership and the singles they want to serve.  And I feel especially blessed to have leaders who chose first to listen to the people.

Listening opens the door of possibility to establishing the support network that will improve the lives of singles and help to fill their needs.  If you’re in a leadership position with stewardship over the singles, I urge you to listen to the people.  As you listen, you’ll set the foundation to establish the support network necessary to minister most effectively to LDS singles.  As that support network grows, more and more LDS singles will have more and more of their needs met.  And that will bring more joy in your journey.

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You can listen to the monologue from today's episode of Joy In The Journey Radio here.  Please also feel free to continue the conversation by leaving a comment below.  Want to hear more?  Listen to the whole show by going to the show page for this episode!