How I Lead Without a Title | An Interview with Judy Clemans

In this How I Lead podcast, Kurt speaks with Judy Clemens, who felt
inspired to go to her stake president with some ideas, and was
called to lead quarterly stake devotionals that have been very
successful. Highlights 02:30 Introduction to Judy Clemans 04:30
Kurt reads his newsletter inspired by Judy. 06:30 Judy felt the
call to serve but didn’t have an official calling. She stepped up
anyway because she had lots of ideas. 07:50 If people could hear
other people that are different from themselves, there could be so
many opportunities to grow and expand. 09:00 Judy had so many ideas
in her heart that could be helpful for the stake. She emailed her
stake president and they had a meeting to discuss them. 12:40 After
sharing her ideas with the stake president he took time to think
about it and counsel with others and he ended up creating a special
calling for Judy to implement her ideas. The calling is stake
devotional coordinator. 14:30 Judy’s calling includes doing
informal devotionals. A place to talk about difficult topics and
hear from different people. 16:00 Judy’s purpose statement for the
devotionals. These are the guidelines for every single devotional.
Create connections to remember that we are not alone in our
experiences. We are all God’s children. Seek understanding. Hear
personal stories of those that have experiences different from our
own. Provide learning. Take time to learn about other people’s
experiences so you can show up, love, and support each other in
meaningful ways. When we know better, we do better. Testify of
Christ. Testify to the healing power of Jesus Christ and
demonstrate how we allow our experiences to bring us closer to Him.
17:00 Judy gives more details about her calling and the
devotionals. The goal was to be informal and casual dress. They had
them on Friday night, once a quarter. 22:30 There are lots of
people with big ideas in the Church that feel like they need to
shrink down and feel shame for speaking up. 24:00 One of the most
popular topics covered was understanding and loving our LGBTQ
family and neighbors. Other topics were raising children with
autism, struggling with scrupulosity, and navigating
disappointment. 27:15 The devotionals are in person but there is
also a recording that is public for anyone to watch on YouTube.
29:00 Doing these devotionals is about bringing the community
together. They are culture changing and help us have empathy for
one another. These sensitive topics are not normally brought up in
a Sunday meeting and Judy wanted a place to speak about these
things. 32:40 So far people have been blown away by the experiences
they are having at the devotionals and being able to talk so openly
and frankly about some sensitive topics in the gospel. 34:40 Judy
has an advocate in each ward to help advertise the devotionals, get
flyers out, and listen for topics of interest from the ward or find
speakers. 35:30 Big ideas don’t have to be complicated. Judy has
been able to keep her idea simple and straightforward. No
refreshments and it’s only once a quarter. Very doable. 36:00 Judy
has found a way to use her gifts and talents in a way that benefits
and blesses others. Links Listen, Love, Learn - Brighton Stake
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