My MP lowered the bar when he came in

[MikeWaters]

in terms of requirements to be baptized for potential converts. Instead of 3 weeks abstinence for WoW issues, it was lowered to one week.

For that and other reasons, baptisms more than doubled. And the retention % was identical, meaning the church netted many more active members.

Raising the bar is not always a good idea.

[SoonerCoug]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

in terms of requirements to be baptized for potential converts. Instead of 3 weeks abstinence for WoW issues, it was lowered to one week.

For that and other reasons, baptisms more than doubled. And the retention % was identical, meaning the church netted many more active members.

Raising the bar is not always a good idea.

Good point. Not enough men in the Church in Russia, because they all love the booze, and they make Russians go 3 weeks without vodka before they get baptized.

Almost all Russian men drink after baptism anyway, so what's the point? Ultimately, there isn't enough priesthood for the Church to function properly in Russia, and all the MANY faithful female saints suffer as a result.

[Indy Coug]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

in terms of requirements to be baptized for potential converts. Instead of 3 weeks abstinence for WoW issues, it was lowered to one week.

For that and other reasons, baptisms more than doubled. And the retention % was identical, meaning the church netted many more active members.

Raising the bar is not always a good idea.

Our new MP in the Philly mission has raised the bar, so I hope not to see a repeat of 20+ young men and women in our branch (baptized in 2 years) being baptized without the rest of their families and without transportation and often without actually being taught or going to church or YM/YW on Thursdays.

The new MP couldn't have possibly lowered the bar, it was already ground level.