Counseling With Our Councils: Learning to Minister Together in the Church and in the Family

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Summary: We have the manpower to do more!
Review: If you remember, several years ago, Elder Ballard gave the same talk back to back in general conference. Remember the subject? It was on councils (See "Ensign," November 1993, "Strength in Counsel," "Ensign," May 1994, "Counseling with our Councils.")

This book is in response to those two topics, so consider this a course in ecclesiastical management and religious organizational behavior. We are not using the Church councils properly, and this book is one apostle's attempt to put us on the right track.

So often leadership is equated with office, or is seen as bossing people around. This is not only wrong, but is dead wrong. We have so many pairs of eyes in our wards and stakes: the elders presidents, the high priests, the Aaronic Priests, the Female's Relief Society, and every other auxiliaries, we are literally dying of thirst right by an artesian well.

This book has really opened my eyes. I think that we have all the helps we really need under our noses. The key is for the leaders to open the floodgates and let the people get busy. People in the ward have ideas and insights that the priesthood leaders may miss.

The whole sum of creation was began with a grand council. This is the eternal example for all of us.

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Summary: This is a tutorial on how to use councils to solve problems.
Review: M. Russell Ballard, a general authority of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, presents a clear picture that shows how anyone can use the council approach to solve problems. This approach can be used in any kind of organization, with a specific focus on family units and church councils. The main focus of the book is to teach the principles of counseling in councils and to show how anyone can apply those principles in virtually any organization.

The book provides concrete examples that show how to counsel in a wide variety of church and family councils. Those examples show how this approach can be used to empower members of councils (including family members), thereby building the overall effectiveness and productivity of all participants.

I am working to apply these principles; they work! I recommend this book to anyone who is struggling to find ways to work more effectively, and to include fuller participation and increased productivity of council! s in which they participate.

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Summary: Most complete understanding of counseling; church & business
Review: Without exception this book is one of the greatest of its time. Not only does the author give accounts of how the saviour counseled others but how to apply the same principles in our everyday world. A must read for all practioners of the faith.