10-23-2007, 07:38 PM | #31 | |
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My strategy in this student ward (where the probability of getting called into the EQP or bishopric is higher than average for a 24 year old) has been to wear blue shirts more often than white to church, miss church entirely at least once every 8 weeks, and not go to the activities. Also, sleeping through sacrament meeting on occasion helps. So far, so good. |
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10-23-2007, 07:44 PM | #32 | |
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My resolution in this area stems in part from what you are saying. How can I, a person that gains from the good volunteer work of others in the ward (in particular the Bishop), turn around and say "no thanks," I think I'll let others do the heavy lifting? I don't know that that is guilt so much as it is a feeling of responsibility. I also look at my temple vows and see no other choice than to do what I can. And frankly, most church callings are geared to a relatively low IQ. That said, I'm not always happy about serving, especially when it is extremely inconvenient or time consuming. I also try to be realistic. I'm not going to spend a lot of time feeling bad if I miss a meeting that doesn't fit my busy family or work schedule. That happens. For example, my last ward held it's Bishopric and PEC meetings on Saturday mornings, usually from 9-noon. As anyone with children understands, that's an impossible time. I went when I could (usually once a month) but didn't feel bad about missing when I was going to football or other activities. I let my Bishop know and he was cool. These leadership callings can be tough, especially when trying to have a life outside of The Church (I was Bear Den Leader for our local non-LDS Cub Scout Pack while serving as ward clerk in my last ward). But the rewards are great. I remember my wife dreading meeting with the Bishop knowing that the Primary President calling was sitting out there (this in our small French ward and she not really a very good French speaker). But alas, the call came and she broke down in tears right there with the Bishop. She said yes and what a wonderful experience that was, something she would not trade for the world. She might not have been the best Primary President The Church has seen, but she gave it all her love and attention and grew immensely. Which brings me back to my initial statement. If one seriously doesn't want to do a calling, then why do it? Let the Bishop or SP know and move on. After their initial shock, they might actually appreciate such honesty. Otherwise, get ready to give back some to the church from whence one derives so many benefits. Man, this is one preachy post. I say these things . . . . . .
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Give 'em Hell, Cougars!!! Religion rises inevitably from our apprehension of our own death. To give meaning to meaninglessness is the endless quest of all religion. When death becomes the center of our consciousness, then religion authentically begins. Of all religions that I know, the one that most vehemently and persuasively defies and denies the reality of death is the original Mormonism of the Prophet, Seer and Revelator, Joseph Smith. |
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10-23-2007, 07:48 PM | #33 |
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Trust me, people say no to callings all the time. They say no to talks, they say no to prayers, they say no to tithing.
When you are a bishop, you appreciate the people who say "yes". |
10-23-2007, 07:50 PM | #34 | |
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Sometimes meetings just need to be cancelled, rescheduled, or eliminated all together. Almost always they need to be shortened. I'm definitely an anti-meeting type of guy.
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"Have we been commanded not to call a prophet an insular racist? Link?" "And yes, [2010] is a very good year to be a Democrat. Perhaps the best year in decades ..." - Cali Coug "Oh dear, granny, what a long tail our puss has got." - Brigham Young |
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10-23-2007, 07:56 PM | #35 | |
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I can't believe how many meetings I was involved in as HP Group Leader. PEC, welfare meeting, pre-welfare meeting, PPIs, Ward council, the list goes on forever. A typical Sunday was over 7 hours of meetings, including church. Almost every single one of those meetings was at least partially redundant with another meeting. PEC could be 20 minutes long. Pre-welfare meeting could be 5. |
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10-23-2007, 08:04 PM | #36 |
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If I'm ever bishop, I will have a buzzer set to 5 minutes. Each leader/issue only gets 5 minutes.
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10-23-2007, 08:06 PM | #37 |
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10-23-2007, 08:11 PM | #38 | |
Charon
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"... the arc of the universe is long but it bends toward justice." Martin Luther King, Jr. |
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10-23-2007, 08:12 PM | #39 |
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10-23-2007, 08:15 PM | #40 | |
Charon
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"... the arc of the universe is long but it bends toward justice." Martin Luther King, Jr. |
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