What Do You Think Of The Counsel To Not Resign From A Calling?

[Duncan]

What do you think of the counsel to not resign from a calling?, what if you just don't want to do it anymore, you get busy in your personal life or a variety of other variables?

[Storm Rider]

There are no absolute rules in the context you are addressing. We resign when our leader does not understand our distress. This requires that we are in communication with him about what is going on in our lives that is causing our distress and have discussed the challenges we are facing. Our first rule as a LDS is to follow the Spirit; that is an absolute rule.

[rongo]

I would encourage people to talk to their bishop/branch president about concerns they have, but not to resign. If the priesthood leader is unsympathetic to the concerns, I would point this out to him and ask him what he recommends you do, given that XYZ is real for you and he is telling you to just "soldier on." I'm coming to you for counsel, bishop, and you appear to me to be brushing me aside. Etc.

My presidencies and leaders were rarely in for more than a year and a half (my philosophy ---- maximize the number of people at the end of 5+ years who have served in presidencies, reduce burnout, prevent the same handful of people from being rotated among the various presidencies

ad infinitum

, etc.). Other wards in our stake had RS presidents in for 4+ years, which I think is insanity (and deprives others from serving). I also tended to put my "best" people in as counselors or secretaries to people who probably would have been overlooked for the "glory callings," with the charge that they help build them into leaders.

Are you wondering about burnout, philosophical differences, or what specifically behind thoughts of resigning?

[Duncan]

I would encourage people to talk to their bishop/branch president about concerns they have, but not to resign. If the priesthood leader is unsympathetic to the concerns, I would point this out to him and ask him what he recommends you do, given that XYZ is real for you and he is telling you to just "soldier on." I'm coming to you for counsel, bishop, and you appear to me to be brushing me aside. Etc.

My presidencies and leaders were rarely in for more than a year and a half (my philosophy ---- maximize the number of people at the end of 5+ years who have served in presidencies, reduce burnout, prevent the same handful of people from being rotated among the various presidencies

ad infinitum

, etc.). Other wards in our stake had RS presidents in for 4+ years, which I think is insanity (and deprives others from serving). I also tended to put my "best" people in as counselors or secretaries to people who probably would have been overlooked for the "glory callings," with the charge that they help build them into leaders.

Are you wondering about burnout, philosophical differences, or what specifically behind thoughts of resigning?

I sit on a ward council and there is a mutiny of sorts a brewing and the Bishop seems oblivious to it, I don't want to turn this into a personal thread. I get the idea that certain folks and their areas of concern would be better served by being released rather then making some grand stand we quit movement

[rongo]

How often do you have a PPI with your bishop? If it's been a while, you could schedule to meet with him and discuss your concerns. If he is oblivious to all of this, he needs to know about it, and if it will anger or frustrate him, he needs to know about it even more.

Above all, let him know that you support and sustain him, and ask him what you can do to help him.

[SamIam]

How often do you have a PPI with your bishop? If it's been a while, you could schedule to meet with him and discuss your concerns. If he is oblivious to all of this, he needs to know about it, and if it will anger or frustrate him, he needs to know about it even more.

Above all, let him know that you support and sustain him, and ask him what you can do to help him.

Rongo gives sound council. Stand with your Bishop. Sometimes all it takes to quell dissension is a second voice that clearly supports the head.

[Freedom]

In terms of resigning from a calling, I have asked to be released on two occasions and have no regrets. It was the right thing to ask. I did not quit, but asked to be released and left it in my priesthood holders hands. I was released within a few weeks. In terms of conflicts among ward leaders, this is related to our discussion on another thread. I echo what has been said, and pray for those who are discontent because they are putting way too much personal attachment to their callings. We are just a bunch of volunteers struggling to work out our salvation. We should be offering to help, not stabbing others in the back to do not measure up to our standard of righteousness.

[Duncan]

How often do you have a PPI with your bishop? If it's been a while, you could schedule to meet with him and discuss your concerns. If he is oblivious to all of this, he needs to know about it, and if it will anger or frustrate him, he needs to know about it even more.

Above all, let him know that you support and sustain him, and ask him what you can do to help him.

I have never had a PPI with the Bishop although he calls on a constant basis and these calls are a source of frustration to some. I personally have discussed my concerns and I too got upset a lot of people with my concerns but nothing seems to be done about any of them-FWIW I am not one of the mutineers but the YW, EQ and YM are and all have voiced their concerns to me, or some of them and I don't know that I blame them

[Duncan]

In terms of resigning from a calling, I have asked to be released on two occasions and have no regrets. It was the right thing to ask. I did not quit, but asked to be released and left it in my priesthood holders hands. I was released within a few weeks. In terms of conflicts among ward leaders, this is related to our discussion on another thread. I echo what has been said, and pray for those who are discontent because they are putting way too much personal attachment to their callings. We are just a bunch of volunteers struggling to work out our salvation. We should be offering to help, not stabbing others in the back to do not measure up to our standard of righteousness.

do you see not getting too attached to your calling leading to being apathetic and this furthering the frustration of the Bishop?

[Calm]

I have never had a PPI with the Bishop although he calls on a constant basis and these calls are a source of frustration to some. I personally have discussed my concerns and I too got upset a lot of people with my concerns but nothing seems to be done about any of them-FWIW I am not one of the mutineers but the YW, EQ and YM are and all have voiced their concerns to me, or some of them and I don't know that I blame them

Is it a problem with the particular bishop? If so, how much longer is he likely to be in?

[Bikeemikey]

do you see not getting too attached to your calling leading to being apathetic and this furthering the frustration of the Bishop?

You can fulfill your calling well with out needing be "too attached".

[Duncan]

Is it a problem with the particular bishop? If so, how much longer is he likely to be in?

just came in around January!

[Tacenda]

I knew someone that for years just told the bishop how long they will serve in each of the callings. They would say the time limit etc. It was pretty interesting and they were staunch LDS.

Edited November 11, 2012 by Tacenda

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

What do you think of the counsel to not resign from a calling?, what if you just don't want to do it anymore, you get busy in your personal life or a variety of other variables?

If you think you are doing harm...I say resign. People know when your heart is not in it. Edited November 11, 2012 by Bill “Papa” Lee

[bluebell]

just came in around January!

Sounds like he's still getting his sea legs.

Have any of the mutineers thought of fasting for him?

[Duncan]

Sounds like he's still getting his sea legs.

Have any of the mutineers thought of fasting for him?

um, not entirely sure! it's ward conference on sunday so we have to do reports, written and verbal so next might be an interesting sunday. I was talking to one person of interest today and our thinking is this:The Bishop and 1st Counselor work in a bakery and is a semi retired pharmacist so working with people aren't their strong suits. In those places of business you have more control of things then you do in places that work directly with people say like addictions counselor, or social worker. Frankly I am tired of the whole of it! The Bishop now doesn't want to do Christmas hampers this year which elicited a verbal barrage from some people in ward council. Someone suggested gift cards and he doesn't know how they work (which is fine) and I said pick say 10 needy families and buy a 50 GC to safeway or superstore and he was like not on your life 50 bucks is 40 bucks more then he wanted to spend on it. FWIW I know for a fact our ward budget can safely spend that. If they do the GC route a family or individual can get 10 bucks worth of stuff if they are lucky and I don't think they can even buy GC in those denominations. So ward council became more like ward conflict meeting

Edited November 12, 2012 by Duncan

[blackstrap]

How about calling a special ward fast day for Christmas and put all of the revenue from that toward the needy.I know that seems like duplication but sometimes people respond to a specific challenge. Sounds like the bishop is reluctant to spend ward funds.

[Duncan]

How about calling a special ward fast day for Christmas and put all of the revenue from that toward the needy.I know that seems like duplication but sometimes people respond to a specific challenge. Sounds like the bishop is reluctant to spend ward funds.

I think so too and also he said it's too much work, like personally I don't want anyone going hungry at Christmas because people couldn't get off their duffs to help out. In past years it wasn't an issue and I have been on the ward council since 2005. Last year we just had a hamper making activity and fun times!

[canard78]

I probably wouldn't resign but would speak to the relevant leader.

I was once in a demanding calling but had some family issues. I spoke to my relevant leader and explained the situation. I told him that my emotional/spiritual capacity had to be divided between priorities. I told until him that until recently I could give my calling X time and emotional attention, but family needs meant that I had to reduce it to Y. That meant that some things wouldn't get done in my calling, but would continue focusing on the priorities and would try to delegate more.

I was surprised when my leader compassionately told me that many men could fill my calling, but only I could be a husband, father, son to the people who needed my time.

A few weeks later I was released. I was devastated as I loved my calling and questioned whether I'd done the right thing. I came to appreciate that family is more important than callings and we shouldn't feel like failures when life priorities shift.

[rpn]

IME, all you need to do is to pray to be released if that is His will, and for second wind if it is not. On two occasions I've been released in fairly short order without my telling any mortal. And on a couple of other occasions I've gotten second wind. Heavenly Father runs the church and doesn't let listening leaders mess up when He needs something in His church to be a certain way.

[Calm]

Heavenly Father runs the church and doesn't let listening leaders mess up when He needs something in His church to be a certain way.

It sounds like the issue maybe that others are wondering if the Bishop is listening to the Spirit or if he is allowing his personal POV to influence his choices and direction to others too much.

This can be a really difficult situation if this is so.

Edited November 12, 2012 by calmoriah

[Calm]

I think so too and also he said it's too much work.....

It takes work to invite the Spirit, including the spirit of charity.

I can see why people might be frustrated with him. I feel like going up there and slapping some sense into him myself.

If he absolutely refuses, you might want to get together with others and attempt to do a Christmas Hamper outside of church if there are enough people who can afford to contribute to them.

Edited November 12, 2012 by calmoriah

[rodheadlee]

What do you think of the counsel to not resign from a calling?, what if you just don't want to do it anymore, you get busy in your personal life or a variety of other variables?

According to Brigham Young your religion should be your personal life.

[Duncan]

It takes work to invite the Spirit, including the spirit of charity.

I can see why people might be frustrated with him. I feel like going up there and slapping some sense into him myself.

If he absolutely refuses, you might want to get together with others and attempt to do a Christmas Hamper outside of church if there are enough people who can afford to contribute to them.

I was thinking that as well, and buy some gift cards and give them to the ward clerk and he can distribute them to the needy

[Calm]

Gift cards are a great idea as that allows them to buy exactly what they need, also the parents or even children if the parents include them in the shopping for others can be the gift givers which may help them feel more involved.