CALLINGS FOR NEW CONVERTS

Callings for New Converts

Ward Mission Leaders and Ward Missionaries are occasionally asked for suggestions about potential callings for new converts in your Ward. While some callings might come to mind immediately because they seem like they would be great for new members, its important to consider the personality and skill level of the new member, as well as their current social needs. there I recently came across a great chart (on MissionaryLeaders.org) that has a list of callings and which characteristics of those particular callings might (or might not be) appropriate for some new converts.

For example, 'Sacrament Meeting Door Greeter' would be great for some new converts, because it requires Church attendance and helps them get more familiar with Ward members. On the other hand, there isn't any particular gospel-study preparation needed to do the calling and they usually wouldn't work with/learn from a more experienced Ward-member to perform the calling. Another possible downside would be that this calling could be interpreted by the new-member as unimportant (because they may feel they aren't needed as much as a teacher or leader).

Another example of a calling for a new member would be 'Assistant Primary Teacher', which would also require Church attendance (at least for the 2nd and/or 3rd hour) and would help the new member get to know some of the Ward members (other Primary teachers and Leaders, parents of students). In addition, this calling would require gospel learning (lesson preparation/participation) and would provide an opportunity for the new member to work closely with another member. A downside of this type of calling could be that it may limit the new member's participation/attendance in Sunday School and Relief Society or Priesthood meetings.

This chart isn't so much a list of 'good' and 'bad' callings (its not), but rather a list of characteristics that the callings have that you will want to consider (along with the new converts personality and abilities, of course).

It might be useful to print out and keep a copy of this chart to refer to if you should need to consider some suggestions for your new converts!

You can link to the page with this chart by clicking here: Possible Callings for New Members (you will be taken to the MissionaryLeaders.org website).