Gathering Men: Simple Practices

Frank Schwartz is a husband—for nearly 25 years—and a father of three girls. He has served in several bishoprics, elders quorum presidencies, high councils, high priest group leaderships and Young Men presidencies (back when those were a thing), and a variety of other callings over the years.

Frank did undergraduate and graduate work in Psychology and worked in television before starting a small, boutique, corporate communications firm. Most recently he has worked for a client in the healthcare payments space. Frank joined F3 in 2014 and has served in the national leadership in different capacities prior to taking over as Nant’an/CEO in 2024.

Links

Fellowshipping Men in Elders Quorum | An Interview with Frank Schwartz
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Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community

Highlights

00:02:40 – Discussion on Elders Quorum Engagement
00:03:01 – Personal Experience with F3 and Transformation
00:05:11 – The Importance of Community for Men
00:09:18 – The Need for Transformational Experiences
00:10:08 – Finding Truth and Community
00:12:13 – The Simplicity of Gathering Men
00:14:02 – The Role of Food in Building Brotherhood
00:15:32 – The Power of Gathering in Elders Quorum
00:18:00 – Authenticity in Church Leadership
00:20:56 – Creating Comfortable Spaces for Discussion
00:22:04 – Personal Transformation After Warrior Heart Bootcamp
00:23:24 – The Quest for Personal Purpose
00:25:05 – Shifting Perspectives on Relationships
00:30:00 – The Broader Plan and God’s Purpose
00:33:55 – Limiting Perspectives and Personal Growth
00:37:40 – The Journey of Self-Discovery and Adventure

Frank and Kurt discuss approaches to engaging men in elders quorum and fostering brotherhood within the Latter-day Saint community. They explore the importance of transformational experiences and how simple gatherings can lead to deeper connections among men.

Key Insights

Transformational Experiences: Men often seek meaningful experiences that can lead to personal growth and connection. Frank shares how participating in F3 and Warrior Heart boot camps has profoundly changed his perspective on leadership and relationships.

Gathering for Brotherhood: The act of gathering, whether for workouts or casual meet-ups, is crucial for building community. Frank emphasizes that men need spaces where they can connect and share their experiences authentically.

Authenticity in Leadership: Leaders should prioritize creating environments where vulnerability is encouraged. This can be achieved by moving away from rigid lesson structures and focusing on genuine interactions.

Shifting Perspectives: Frank discusses the importance of recognizing limiting beliefs and perspectives that can hinder personal growth. Leaders should help others see beyond their current views to embrace a broader understanding of their purpose.

Simplicity in Engagement: Simple gatherings, such as meeting for hot dogs or casual discussions, can effectively draw men together and foster meaningful conversations, making it easier for them to engage with one another.

Leadership Applications

Focus on Gathering: Latter-day Saint leaders can prioritize creating informal gatherings that encourage connection among men, such as breakfast meetings or service projects, rather than strictly adhering to lesson plans.

Encourage Vulnerability: Leaders should model vulnerability and openness in their interactions, creating a safe space for others to share their thoughts and feelings, which can lead to stronger bonds within the group.

Challenge Limiting Beliefs: Leaders can facilitate discussions that help members identify and overcome limiting beliefs, encouraging them to explore their divine potential and purpose within the community.

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