You support the bishop in leading the ward. He assigns you a portfolio — auxiliaries, programs, or specific responsibilities — and you own it. The bishop presides; you execute, represent, and serve.
Day One
Do These Things First
Meet with the bishop.↗ text him
Ask: What's my specific assignment? Which auxiliaries or programs am I responsible for? What does he need from me most immediately?
Get the ward directory and member list from the ward clerk.
Know who's in the ward — active, less active, new members. Your effectiveness depends on knowing people.
Meet with the leaders in your assigned area. If you're assigned to Young Men, meet the YM President. If RS, meet the RS President. Introduce yourself, listen, and ask what they need.
Get briefed on any ongoing situations. Welfare cases, inactive members being fellowshipped, families in crisis. The outgoing counselor or bishop can brief you on anything in progress that can't wait.
Put key dates on your calendar. Bishopric meeting, Ward Council, sacrament meeting assignments, and any upcoming ward events that will need bishopric coverage.
Your Role
What the Bishopric Counselor Actually Does
The bishop divides the ward's work among his counselors. You will be assigned a portfolio — typically a set of auxiliaries (such as Young Men, Primary, or Sunday School) and possibly specific programs or responsibilities. Within your portfolio you: attend and support those organizations at Ward Council, serve as the bishopric's point of contact for those leaders, and bring their needs and concerns to the bishopric.
You conduct sacrament meeting when assigned, interview members (as authorized by the bishop), and cover bishopric duties when the bishop is absent or unavailable. You are not a second bishop — but you act with full authority in your assigned areas.
Your portfolio will evolve. Bishops assign counselors based on strengths, ward needs, and what they observe over time. Be open to your responsibilities shifting. The best counselors are those who execute their current assignment excellently and communicate proactively — not those who try to expand their authority.
Practically: attend bishopric meeting (usually Sunday morning before church), Ward Council, and any meetings tied to your assigned organizations. Stay informed about your auxiliaries. Be the bishop's eyes and ears in your area.
Weekly Rhythm
Every Week
Bishopric meeting
Usually early Sunday morning. The bishop sets the agenda. Come with updates on your assigned auxiliaries, any concerns from the week, and awareness of who's struggling or needs follow-up.
Sacrament meeting
You may be assigned to conduct. Know the order of service, speakers, and music in advance. Conducting is a coordination role — the spirit carries the meeting, not the conductor.
Your assigned orgs
Stay in regular contact with the leaders you oversee. A quick check-in mid-week — text or call — keeps you informed and signals that you take their work seriously.
During the week
Be available. Member needs and ward situations don't wait for Sunday. The bishop can't handle everything alone; that's why there are counselors.
Ward Council
Your Voice in Ward Council
Represent your auxiliaries
Come prepared to speak for the organizations in your portfolio. What are they working on? Who in their area needs support? What resources do they need that only the bishopric can provide?
Listen as much as you report
Ward Council is where the full picture of the ward comes together. Information from the RS President, EQ President, and Primary President — heard together — reveals patterns no single leader sees alone.
Follow up on action items
If something is decided at Ward Council that touches your portfolio, own the follow-up. Don't let decisions evaporate between meetings.
Key Contacts
Who You Work With Regularly
Bishop
↗ text
Your direct leader. Keep him informed on anything significant in your portfolio. He should never be surprised by something you knew.
1st / 2nd Counselor
↗ text
Coordinate coverage, share information, and support each other. A bishopric that communicates internally serves the ward far better than one that operates in silos.
Ward Clerk
↗ text
Ward records, member directory, financial reports. Your administrative partner for anything that requires official data.
Executive Secretary
↗ text
Calendar, interviews, meeting coordination. If you need something on the bishop's calendar or need to schedule an interview, it goes through the exec secretary.
Assigned Leaders
↗ text
The presidents and leaders in your portfolio — their names and numbers belong here. (Add them as you fill in your assignment.)
Quick Notes
Operational Notes
Log your meeting schedule, room numbers, key dates, or anything worth handing off when you're released.