Transform Sacrament Meeting with a Youth Focus | An Interview with Todd Hillyard

Todd Hillyard shares practical ideas his ward has used to increase youth engagement in sacrament meeting. He discusses how youth feedback reframed his ward’s approach to sacrament meeting, including shorter talks, youth-focused speaker assignments, auxiliary-centered Sundays, and meaningful ways to involve young women and young men in ushering, music, prelude, organ, and testimony sharing.

Todd is a bishop in Washington and an airway-focused pediatric dentist. Since 2002, he has worked with children and youth in private practice, and brings that same heart for young people into his Church service.

Links

Stimulating Sunday School Discussion… But Not Too Much | An Interview with Julie Hillyard Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community

Highlights

00:03:18 – Youth Leadership in Sunday Worship 00:03:30 – Engaging Youth Feedback 00:04:53 – Demographics of the Ward 00:05:37 – Youth Feedback on Sacrament Meeting 00:06:52 – Gathering Youth Insights 00:07:30 – Implementing Changes Based on Feedback 00:08:18 – Prelude Music Initiative 00:10:23 – Variety in Prelude Music 00:12:00 – Prelude Timing and Structure 00:13:19 – Importance of Engaging Prelude Music 00:14:18 – Short Talks in Sacrament Meeting 00:15:26 – Eliminating Intermediate Hymns 00:16:18 – Impromptu Choirs 00:18:04 – Youth Leading Music 00:19:09 – Youth Empowerment in Leadership Roles 00:21:25 – Testimony Meeting Dynamics 00:22:15 – Shortening Talks for Engagement 00:23:56 – Youth-Led Sunday Meetings 00:25:38 – Encouraging Youth Testimonies 00:27:34 – Supporting Young Men in Sacrament 00:28:04 – Christmas Tradition with Missionaries 00:29:00 – Testimony Meeting Improvements 00:30:22 – Monthly Youth Leader Meetings 00:32:05 – Collaboration with Adult Leaders 00:33:41 – Engaging Stake Leaders 00:36:02 – Importance of Presiding in Meetings 00:37:07 – Colette’s Experience with Youth Feedback

Key Insights

• Youth Engagement: Todd emphasizes the importance of involving youth in church meetings, encouraging them to share their thoughts on what makes sacrament meetings engaging and spiritually fulfilling.
• Prelude Music: Implementing prelude music performed by youth has transformed the atmosphere of sacrament meetings, fostering reverence and engagement from the congregation.
• Short Talks: Todd has shifted the focus from long, traditional talks to shorter, more impactful messages, allowing for multiple speakers and encouraging participation from youth.
• Special Programs: The introduction of themed Sundays, such as Young Women’s Sunday, allows youth to take charge of the meeting, enhancing their sense of ownership and responsibility.
• Testimony Meetings: Encouraging youth to bear their testimonies regularly has revitalized testimony meetings, making them more relevant and engaging for the entire congregation.
• Collaboration with Stake Leaders: Todd actively communicates with stake leaders to ensure their messages resonate with youth, making sacrament meetings more relatable and engaging. Leadership Applications:

Leadership Applications

• Create Opportunities for Youth Leadership: Leaders can implement youth-led initiatives, such as music prelude or testimony meetings, to foster a sense of ownership and responsibility among young members.
• Adapt Meeting Formats: By shortening talks and incorporating more musical numbers or youth-led discussions, leaders can create a more engaging and spiritually uplifting environment.
• Encourage Open Dialogue: Leaders should seek feedback from youth about their experiences and preferences in church settings, allowing for adjustments that enhance participation and spiritual growth.

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