The Handbook Has One Rule | A How I Lead Interview with David Geens

David Geens is a convert of 13 years, currently serving a "five
year mission" as a bishop in the Dutch-speaking region of Flanders,
Belgium. He previously served as a branch missionary leader, branch
presidency counselor, elders quorum president, high counselor, and
national communications director. A computer engineer and
entrepreneur, David is active now as a business angel. He and his
wife Isabel are the parents of Laurens (21) and Lucas (19). Links
geenszins.info dekastvanmormon.info Share your thoughts in the
Leading Saints community. Read the transcript of this podcast Get
14-day access to the Core Leader Library Highlights David discusses
his unique calling as a bishop, which he describes as a "five-year
mission" that allows him to serve while remaining at home with his
family. He shares his journey to baptism, which began with his
wife's childhood fascination with the church, leading to their
eventual conversion. David provides insights into the challenges
and dynamics of church life in Belgium, emphasizing the secular
nature of Western Europe and the difficulties of maintaining active
membership. Throughout the episode, David shares valuable
leadership principles he has learned during his time as a bishop.
He emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive tone in
communication, focusing on what can be done rather than what
cannot. He also discusses the significance of understanding that
the gospel's two basic rules—loving God and loving one's
neighbor—should guide the interpretation of the Church's handbook,
which he views as a tool to help bring people closer to Christ.
Additionally, he addresses the issue of disappointment among
members, noting that many inactive members cite feelings of
disappointment as a primary reason for their absence from church.
David highlights the importance of listening to members' concerns
and building trust, sharing personal anecdotes that illustrate his
approach to leadership. He concludes by reflecting on how his
leadership experiences have deepened his faith and understanding of
Christ's teachings, emphasizing that true leadership is rooted in
service. 04:57 - David's Background and Language Skills 05:35 -
Discovering Leading Saints 06:18 - David's Calling as Bishop 07:25
- Unique Setup of David's Five-Year Mission 08:16 - David's
Conversion Story 10:18 - Church Dynamics in Belgium 12:35 -
Cultural Differences in Discussing Religion 13:05 - David's
Approach to Sharing Faith 14:15 - Characteristics of David's Ward
16:28 - Youth Group Dynamics in the Ward 18:25 - Church Building
and Attendance 19:22 - Temple District and Upcoming Brussels Temple
20:57 - Characteristics of the Ward and Ministering 23:04 -
Leadership Principle: Positive Communication 29:16 - Leadership
Principle: The Gospel's Two Basic Rules 33:01 - Leadership
Principle: Avoiding Disappointment 38:08 - Final Thoughts on
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