Monthly Ministering Night | A How I Lead Interview with Garth Pedersen

Garth Pedersen grew up in Elk Grove, California, and Mesa, Arizona,
and served a mission to Brazil. He holds a bachelor's degree in
Accounting and is a small business owner. Garth has served as a
ward clerk, Sunday School president, bishopric counselor, elders
quorum president, and Primary worker (his favorite calling, along
with being a dad). He and his wife have three daughters and two
sons, and live in San Tan Valley, Arizona. Links Share your
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Highlights Garth Pedersen shares shares innovative approaches his
elders quorum has used to improve ministering. He shares his
journey in leadership over the past three years, focusing on
creating a culture of ministering that avoids shame and fosters
genuine relationships. Garth emphasizes the need for leaders to
model ministering behaviors rather than simply assigning tasks,
advocating for a supportive environment where members feel
empowered to engage in meaningful connections. He outlines three
key principles for effective ministering: praying for those they
serve, communicating with them, and genuinely loving and serving
them. Garth also addresses the challenges of ministering in today's
society, where social interactions can feel awkward and
disconnected. To combat these challenges, Garth introduced the
concept of "ministering night," held every fourth Sunday, where
members are invited to visit families together. This initiative not
only encourages participation but also helps build relationships in
a low-pressure setting. Garth shares inspiring stories from these
visits, illustrating how simple interactions can lead to meaningful
connections and a renewed sense of community. He emphasizes the
importance of agency, reminding listeners that while they can
invite and support others, ultimately it is up to individuals to
choose their paths. The episode concludes with a call to action for
leaders to focus on love and service, fostering a culture of
ministering that reflects the teachings of Christ. 04:39 - Garth's
Background and Current Role 06:09 - Cultural Disconnect in
Ministering 07:03 - Building a Culture of No Shame 10:42 -
Principles of Ministering: Overview 17:14 - Three Key Principles of
Ministering 23:14 - Serving When Help is Not Obvious 27:27 -
Understanding Agency in Ministering 30:20 - The Importance of
Personal Experience 34:00 - Avoiding Shame in Leadership 38:03 -
Strategies for Effective Ministering 42:00 - Implementing
Ministering Night 47:37 - Logistics of Ministering Night Visits The
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