If ministering service were easy, every one of us would be doing it perfectly. In a perfect world, we’d never hesitate to pick up the phone, we’d never feel awkward knocking on a door, and we’d always know exactly what to say to someone who is struggling.
But let’s be real for a second. We live in a world of busy schedules, social anxiety, and the very human fear of rejection. We worry about being “too much” or, conversely, not having enough to offer.
If you’ve ever sat in your car for five minutes giving yourself a pep talk before walking up to a neighbor’s porch, believe me—I have been there too.
My struggles with ministering were exactly the reasons why – when listening to Sister Kristin M. Yee’s talk – I couldn’t hold back the tears.
What is “Ministering Service,” Anyway?
For those who might be new to the term, ministering is simply the way members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints look out for one another. We are organized into “assignments”—usually a pair of sisters or brothers who are asked to specifically pray for, visit, and help a few specific families or individuals.
It’s not meant to be a formal inspection or a rigid “lesson.” It’s a buddy system designed to make sure nobody falls through the cracks. It’s about being there for the big things (like a hospital stay) and the small things (like a text to say, “I’m thinking of you”).
Why We Hesitate: The Challenges of Ministering
We often justify our hesitation. “They seem busy,” we tell ourselves. Or, “I don’t want to be a burden.” We’re shy, we’re embarrassed, or we feel like we aren’t “spiritual” enough to make a difference.
Sister Yee’s talk completely shifted my perspective. She reminded us that ministering isn’t a program we “do”—it’s a way of being. It is the essence of who God is. When we realize that, the pressure to be perfect disappears, and the desire to just be present takes over.
What Ministering Service Really Is and How It Blesses Lives
Sister Yee shared a beautiful story about her father. He was at a very low point in his life when two members of the Church started visiting him. They didn’t just drop off a plate of cookies; they invited him into their lives. They drove him to the temple every single week for three years.
They didn’t judge where he was; they just walked with him. Because of their quiet, consistent devotion, Sister Yee’s father changed. His health improved, his relationships healed, and his family was eternally blessed.
My own “Friend in the Ward” Moment
I remember when I first moved to a new ward. I felt like a total stranger in a sea of established friendships. I was the “new girl” sitting alone in the back row. I can still remember the prayers I made to feel welcomed, accepted, and seen.
The memory of the first sister who came up to me is no longer clear, but the feeling is. I felt the warmth of fellowship at that moment. In my heart, I knew that interaction was an answered prayer from Heavenly Father.
In that moment, I wasn’t just a name on a clerk’s list anymore. I was seen. That sister was just like what Sister Yee mentioned— the sister gets to be the Savior’s hands in answering someone else’s prayer for connection.
And aren’t most of our deepest, sincerest prayers often answered with the help of another person? Can you imagine the blessings that will come in someone’s life if we decided to really be intentional in ministering to them?
When Ministering Service Gets Hard, Remember This…
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your assignment or just plain nervous, keep these encouraging points from Sister Yee’s talk in your back pocket:
You Are Not Alone
As we minister in faith, the Lord goes with us. He provides the means for us to accomplish what He’s asked us to do.
It’s Not About Fixing
We might not be able to fix someone’s heartbreaking circumstances. That’s okay. We aren’t called to be “fixers”; we are called to love.
The “Just Go” Rule
Sister Yee mentioned a young sister who felt nervous about how people would respond. Her secret? “I go—and it usually turns out much better than I thought.”
Ministering Service Is Your Covenant, Not a Task
We aren’t “called to” or “released from” ministering. It’s part of our baptismal promise to take His name upon us. When we minister, we start to think, feel, and love like He does.
The Joy is in the Connection
At the end of the day, Heavenly Father carries out His work “one by one.” He doesn’t save us in batches; He loves us individually. Ministering is our chance to join Him in that beautiful, personal work.
When we choose to care for a person over a task, the Spirit enters in. You’ll find that as you try to bring relief to someone else, you often find your own healing. As Sister Yee so perfectly put it: “When we offer His love and belonging to others, we will find it ourselves.”
So, take a deep breath, send that text, or knock on 그 door. You aren’t just “doing work”—you are helping the Lord love His children. And there is no greater joy than that.
