DISTRICT LEADER

Romania Bucharest Mission

Congratulations! Thanks for accepting this assignment. This calling is demanding. This packet is
designed to help you understand your responsibilities as district leader. Principal among those is
assisting the mission president in training, encouraging and motivating the missionaries in your
district.

You were called because of your obedience, work ethic, proselyting and leadership skills. We expect
you to continue this pattern and teach the members of your district these same skills. You must lead
with love and humility. As you do this, you’ll gain the respect and love of your district and you will
be able to inspire them to fulfill their potential and calling as an ordained servant of the Lord.

You have the incredible opportunity and responsibility to be a steward over your district. The Lord
taught us the meaning of stewardship in the Doctrine and Covenants: “He that is ordained of God is
sent forth, the same is appointed to be the greatest, notwithstanding he is the least and the servant of
all.” (D&C § 50:26) He taught which qualities are desirable in a steward: “…persuasion, by long-
suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned; by kindness and pure
knowledge…without hypocrisy, and without guile…” (D&C § 121:41-42).

Although the responsibilities may at first seem overwhelming, remember that he whom the Lord calls
He qualifies. The Lord has called you and you will be endowed with the direction to lead those whom
you serve.

Example. You must be an example for those in your district at all times, in all places and in all things.
Have faith that you will find and baptize the elect. The Savior was the perfect leader and the perfect
example unto all. As he stated to the Nephites, “What manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say
unto you, even as I am” (3 Nephi 27:27). Your district should always be able to follow your example
in every aspect of missionary work. Exhibit quiet dignity. Follow all grooming guidelines with
exactness. Avoid slang and inappropriate language. Always use titles of respect. Polish your shoes
daily.

Obedience. You must be obedient. Remember, as a leader, you cannot expect more out of your
missionaries than what you are willing to give. 100% obedience is the key to your ability to inspire,
teach and correct your district. It is also the key to your success as a missionary and the example of
that success will speak far louder to your district than your words.

Work Ethic. When you are excited, enthused and motivated about your mission, your district will be,
too. Our leaders have told us that when a new missionary comes into the mission he looks more to his
district leader than to anyone else for the expectations of missionary work. You will set the standard
for your missionaries, and it will have lasting affects long after they leave your district.

Proselyting Methods. You must set the standard for those in your district in all proselyting methods.
You must be contacting, finding, re-activating and teaching constantly and effectively in your own
proselytizing area.

Branch work. You have to have a great working relationship with the branch leaders – branch
president, branch mission leader, etc. Make the branch president your best friend, and do all you can
to serve him and his branch. Remember that it’s HIS branch, not yours, and that he’s the one who
receives revelation for it. If you come to him with a list of changes that need to be made, he probably
won’t receive it too happily. Instead, meet with him and ask what he wants you to do to help the
branch. It is good to involve him in all activities, and to be willing to adjust to his schedule.

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Try to meet with the Branch President weekly, when possible. Talk to him about how the work is
going, serious investigators, and progression with less actives and recent converts. Let him know
immediately when you set up a baptismal date. Most of all, build him up. Strengthen his testimony.
Serve and love him. Take him with you to discussions. Build a fire in him for missionary work.

The branch mission leader is one of the keys to your work. Be sure to always have weekly missionary
coordination meeting when he can. If he can’t, then have the coordination meeting anyway, but be
sure to try to work with his schedule as well. Include him. He should not just be there to fill a chair.
Seek his advice. Ask where you can improve. He should conduct the coordination meeting. Take him
to discussions.

District Meetings. Your district meeting should be centered on helping your missionaries learn how to
do missionary work better. It should be as good as a mini zone conference. Prepare well for these
meetings so that the missionaries are spiritually fed and better prepared to do their work. Focus on the
needs of your district. Help everyone feel included. It is a time for instruction, a time for accounting, a
time for motivation. You should briefly review and discuss the district’s overall performance as
shown by investigator progression and goal realization. You should instruct and, wherever possible,
have practical, hands-on training. It is a great time for role playing. Don’t allow your district meeting
to be an afterthought to a district lunch. It should last no longer than 1-1/2 hours. Use and agenda and
be disciplined in your use of the time.

Following Up. You fulfill and magnify your calling as you effectively follow up. Preach My Gospel
teaches us: “…compliment and encourage people who are succeeding in keeping commitments…”
(page 200, Preach My Gospel). Following up is being interested in your district members’ work and
lives. It shows them you care and expect them to keep commitments and follow counsel from you and
from all of their leaders. It shows them that you expect them to make and meet their own goals, and to
reach their own potential. You will also show them that you are willing to follow these same
guidelines. Make sure you correct any problems immediately and clearly as moved upon by the Spirit,
showing an increase in love and faith, “lest he esteem thee to be his enemy” (D&C 121:43). Follow
up during nightly phone calls, exchanges and Sunday night number reports.

Baptismal Interviews. This is a very sobering part of your calling. You are a judge in Israel. You are
the one who will receive the inspiration and revelation as to whether the investigators in your district
have “come forth with broken hearts and contrite spirits, and witness[ed] before the church that they
have truly repented of all their sins” (D&C 20:37). The investigators should be prepared for the
interview by the respective companionship. They need to know what to expect so that the interview
will run smoothly. You should never feel pressured to allow someone to be baptized. Have the
boldness and the courage to make right decisions. As you are worthy to follow the guidance of the
Holy Ghost, you will know who is ready for baptism. Be familiar with the baptismal interview
questions, and make sure if any problems come up you call the president during the interview,
especially with abortion issues. When there are problems, find out all of the details. For example,
with an abortion situation, ask when they participated, marital status at the time and now, the
circumstances that led to the abortion decision, and most of all, if they realize that it is a sin and they
are repentant.

When it is necessary to postpone a baptism, the district leader and other missionaries should handle
the situation sensitively and privately. Explain the sacred nature of the ordinance requires high
standards of worthiness. Wait for the promptings of the Spirit. Listen intently to the investigator’s
answers, testimony and any concerns and respond as best you can. Help the investigator realize that
he or she is loved and that it is an interview, not an interrogation.

Baptism Ceremonies. You should coordinate with members for the baptismal ceremony and any other
member work through the branch mission leader. If there isn’t one in your branch, work with the
branch president. Prior to the baptism, ensure that the branch president has met the investigator. 80%
of investigators who attend a baptismal ceremony are later baptized themselves. So, invite

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investigators. Make sure that all the physical arrangements have been made for the baptism. Make
sure there is baptismal clothing of the correct size. Ensure that the baptismal candidate has a change of
underwear and a towel. Review the actual procedure of the baptism with the candidate, including how
to hold the hands and pinch the nose so that water doesn’t get in his during the baptism. Make sure
that, after the baptism, the baptismal clothing is either cared for by the branch member responsible for
that or, in the absence of someone with that calling, that you arrange for that to be done or do it
yourself.

Record Keeping. You are a steward and will be held accountable for the work done under your
direction. It will be helpful to all of us if you have accurate records of the events in your district.
Please turn in baptismal and confirmation certificates promptly (a person is not an official member
and cannot receive the full blessings therein until their records are in SLC). There is no justification
to be late with these forms. The baptismal form will be filled out during the interview with the
baptismal candidate. The confirmation record will then be filled in by you and signed by the Branch
President or, in his absence, his counselor at church the day of the confirmation. Then, report the
name of the new member, baptismal date, confirmation date, contact method, gender and date of birth
to your zone leader that night on the phone. Send both records completely filled out Monday morning
to the office. All confirmations and baptisms that take place will first be faxed to the office at
021.232.57.87 and then mail the originals the same day. We cannot stress enough the importance of
prompt record keeping.

Vision. You are in this position to be bold and somewhat creative in your stewardship role. However,
as a leader, you must be in line with the direction the president wants to take the mission. You wear
two hats. You represent the president in communicating, encouraging, motivating and training
missionaries in your district. At the same time, you represent the missionaries in communicating their
successes, challenges and needs to the president through the zone leaders and assistants.

Nightly Phone Calls. You need to verify that the missionaries in your district are safely at home every
night. These calls should be effective. Discuss the investigators that the missionaries are working
with. Help them see the vision of baptizing. Avoid light-mindedness, focus on your missionaries and
how they can be more effective in their missionary work. Your phone calls should be short, inspiring,
caring, loving and used to correlate the following day’s activities. Be sensitive to the needs of your
district, especially the sisters’.

Exchanges. Exchanges will be very helpful when used well. They should be kept to a minimum,
absent special circumstances. A missionary must be with his companion as much as possible. They
must learn, teach, pray and do the work together. Even in cases of companionships with problems,
make sure training is taking place, and that your missionaries don’t see them as a “break”. When you
do an exchange, it should be for a 24 hour period and you should have a purpose. The primary
purpose is to teach. You should also follow up, analyze the skill level of your missionaries and resolve
any problems. Fill out and promptly fax to the mission home an exchange report for each exchange.

Planning. To work effectively, you must take care of the supporting details. Take care of them
thoroughly and quickly. Do it on preparation day. Always plan in advance, be organized and clean,
and respect the Lord’s precious time. Your primary calling is and will always be as a missionary.

Relationship with Zone Leaders. Always support your zone leaders. They are both zone leaders and
have been called to equally take care of the zone. They are your line of authority and are constantly
praying and pondering for the well being of you and your district. Talk to your zone leaders about
problems in the district. The 24 hour exchange has been given to us to allow the zone leaders to be
able to train you as a district leader, and to help and encourage you. Make sure that you have the
details down before the exchange with the zone leader begins. This will let you receive as much time
as possible to learn and work. You may be asked from time to time to do some tasks pertaining to
your district. These could come from your zone leaders, assistants, or even president. Please
accomplish these things as quickly as possible.

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Apartments. All apartments in your district are under your care. You should have a section on this in
your area book, including a list of each apartment, the address, the proprietor, and other necessary
information. If there is a problem, you must make sure it gets resolved. You should be sure that
contracts are complete and that things are in order in Bucharest. If an apartment is being closed or you
need to find a new place, contact the mission office before you act.

Filters in Capelas & Vilas. It is the responsibility of the district leader to make sure that the water
filters in the capelas and vilas are changed on the regular schedule. Ensure that there is a schedule
conspicuously posted near the filter in your capela or vila and that the filters are changed according to
that schedule and the dates of changes kept updated.

You have a unique calling. No other leader has the opportunity you have. You are always right there
with your district. Each day you will teach them through your example. You will help them improve
their work in bringing souls unto Christ. Always put the needs of the district above your own. Always
be worthy of, seek and follow the guidance of the Holy Ghost in all you do. We love you, Elder, and
appreciate your willingness to sacrifice and serve!

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District Meeting Outline 

The District Leader calling is one of the most important in the mission because he has the
ability to affect both the branch and the missionaries. The main focus of the District Leader
is being an example and receiving inspiration so as to know how to teach and train his
District so that they can become better missionaries, and better leaders. Great sources of
inspiration are the following:
1- Zone Conference
2- Exchanges with the missionaries in his District
3- Meeting with the Branch Presidency

Training is then done in the district meetings. The district meeting is one of the best
missionary tools that we have. It should last between 60-90 minutes and be focused on the
concerns of the district. There are many ways to conduct a district meeting, but this is a brief
outline that gives some ideas and some structure to make these meetings effective, valuable
and fun.

Opening Hymn
Opening Prayer
Announcements
Missionary Tip
Language Tip
Missionary Spiritual Thought
District Leader Instruction
-This takes up most of the time of the meeting. The following are some ideas that
can be applied in this section.
-Teach things discussed at Zone Conference
-Teach principles/lessons that help meet the needs of the missionaries
in the District (discuss and address challenges)
-Share insights from Personal and Companionship study
-Practice teaching the lessons in Preach My Gospel (role plays)
-Explain, demonstrate, and practice principles and skills spoken about
in Preach My Gospel
-Discuss the progress and needs of investigators
-Share experiences and testimonies of missionary work.
-Every missionary teaches something
-Sisters corner (Sisters teach a portion of the meeting)
-Graphs (showing District progress, etc.)
-Handouts – to the point
-Review Goals/Commitments
-Half spiritual lesson/half pump up lesson
-Other (Be creative and stay on task)
Closing Hymn
Closing Prayer

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