Skip to main content

How I Assign Home Teachers: Revelation vs. Convenience vs. Logic


Some people have asked me, "how do you figure out who is suppose to home teach who?" By this, I assume they mean, "how much of the creation process is truly inspired and how much is just made up?" Well, after some thought, here is my answer:

The Summer 2009 Home Teaching List for the 167t Ward, BYU 11th Stake was created using the following formula:

-40% Logistics
-30% Convenience
-10% Revelation

What do I mean by "Logistics"?

I tried to make all home teaching companions live on the same floor so that monthly home teaching interviews can be conducted by myself or the counselor assigned to that floor.

What do I mean by "Convenience"?

I assigned companionships to typically visit people that live on their same floors throughout the various four buildings. I did this for two reasons. Primarily, by breaking it down like that during the creation process, it helped me make sure that I didn't miss anyone. Secondly, I have a feeling that ward FHE groups will be formed by floor. If this is the case, it will give home teachers another opportunity to get to know those they home teach and set up appointments.

What do I mean by "Revelation"?

I would look at 36 guys' names and 36 girls names and, all of a sudden, I would get really excited about some combination; the feeling could be comparable to finally finding a jigsaw puzzle piece that you have been searching for in a pile of 5000.

Also, I know the whole process was inspired because once I had completed the "necessary research", the actual assignments just flowed without hesitation. It took much, much less time than if I had tried to figure it all out on my own.

Conclusions

Is there a right or a wrong way to make home teaching assignments? I don't think so. Do I feel bad that only 10% of these assignments were directly inspired by God? On the contrary, I am quite grateful that He let me know about those 10%.

Sometimes, things seem to be uninspired, when in reality, they are.

Remember this? The BYU Daily Universe published a front page story calling the 12 apostles, "the 12 apostates". That was pretty funny; too bad it was five days late for April Fool's day. . .



Labels:

Comments

  1. Julie TWed May 27, 10:38:00 AM MDT

    That was an interesting idea for a post. I'd like to hear how it all works out. As the Beeg would say, "How is everyone making out on the home teaching scene?" That Daily Universe typo HAD to be planned! (wrong hand for the L to kick in!!)

    ReplyDelete
  2. LizWed May 27, 01:16:00 PM MDT

    Whoa, I thought we were in the 16th Stake?

    ReplyDelete
  3. NoelleTue Jun 02, 01:24:00 PM MDT

    that was an interesting post. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Please share your thoughts.

Popular posts from this blog

Rummi-"CUB" vs. Rummi-"CUBE"

The "Rummikub" Pronunciation Debate Affirmative Constructive: "Cub" For years, I have been a firm advocate and defender of the pronunciation, Rummi-"CUB".  The game box I grew up with spelled it, Rummicub  on the box. However, other productions of the game have variant spellings: Rummykub , Rummy Kube , Rummy Tiles , etc.  Based solely on box spelling, the game's true pronunciation is open to interpretation. Therefore, Rummi"cub" is equally acceptable to any other given pronunciation. Negative  Constructive : "Cube" My opponents argue that since the game originated over seas, we ought to respect and maintain its original pronunciation. Affirmative Rebuttal: Americanization of the Term When the game was brought to America and given Americanized rules, its name was also Americanized. Pronunciation loyalists then counter my rebuttal with, "there are lots of adopted foreign words that have retained their original pron...
5 comments
Read more

Werewolves: Variation on Mafia, the Group Game

I was first introduced to Mafia in 1995 at a Family Home Evening activity. With only 6-players in our family, we selected one Narrator, two Mafia gangsters (murder one person/night), one Detective (ask the narrator about the identity of one person/round), and sometimes we played with a Guardian Angel (who can save one person/round); everyone else were innocent citizens. THE WEREWOLVES OF MILLERS HOLLOW Review and Detailed Explanation Werewolves is essentially the same game. I played it on Monday night for an FHE activity as well. We played 2 games with 10 and 11 players respectively. Each game lasted about 10-20 minutes. IT WAS SOOO MUCH FUN! I can totally see my immediate family enjoying some of the new rules associated with Werewolves . Here is a list of differences between my family's version of Mafia and the way we played it last night. Three main differences 1. New Characters 2. Voting is performed by pointing. (Much more efficient.) 3. The game is pla...
5 comments
Read more

Who's Got The Funk?

I am an amateur guitarist. I've got no funk. And I’m pretty crossed up about it. In my personal quest to discover the funk I came across this bit featuring Old Gregg from The Mighty Boosh. Old Gregg observed that some groups have it for a time, and when they do, they produce timeless hits. He identified that special  something as  The Funk ! But what exactly is The Funk ? Here is some dialogue from the show to help explain its origin and purpose: Disclaimer: This is weird. Old Gregg: You're a musician, yeah? Howard: Yes I am. Old Gregg: Butchya ain't very good, are ya? Howard: I'm one of the best in town. Old Gregg: Come on, I read your reviews. Hmm? You know what your problem is? Howard: What? Old Gregg: Ya ain't got the funk. You're all rigid. Hmm? You're like a breadstick. You got no rhythm. Howard: Yeah, well I've heard all this sort of stuff before thank you. Old Gregg: Well maybe I could help you. I got the funk. Howard: Yea...
2 comments
Read more