Senator Posted March 21, 2015 Posted March 21, 2015 Recently our Bishop has announced a new policy requesting that all Fast Offerings be directly collected by the Deacons as they will be coming by evey house to collect. As of yet, I have not ascertained where this policy has originated, ie local or higher up. Has anyone else heard of this or have this happening in their ward?
Tacenda Posted March 21, 2015 Posted March 21, 2015 Recently our Bishop has announced a new policy requesting that all Fast Offerings be directly collected by the Deacons as they will be coming by evey house to collect.As of yet, I have not ascertained where this policy has originated, ie local or higher up.Has anyone else heard of this or have this happening in their ward?Ever since I can remember that's how it's been done in my neck of the woods here in Utah.
Senator Posted March 21, 2015 Author Posted March 21, 2015 Ever since I can remember that's how it's been done in my neck of the woods here in Utah. So does this mean, a) no one ever paid their fast offerings in conjunction with their tithing and gave it directly to the Bishopric or by mail. b) and therefor no one requested that the Deacons need not come by the house to collect?
Garden Girl Posted March 21, 2015 Posted March 21, 2015 Recently our Bishop has announced a new policy requesting that all Fast Offerings be directly collected by the Deacons as they will be coming by evey house to collect. As of yet, I have not ascertained where this policy has originated, ie local or higher up. Has anyone else heard of this or have this happening in their ward? What a terrible idea... I always include my fast offering on my tithing slip and write a check for the whole amount, which sometimes includes amounts for other categories such as the PEF or Missionaries, etc.I suppose I could write a separate check and hand it to a deacon... it just seems like such an effort to go to every house... I do remember as a girl growing up the deacons coming for the fast offering... what if people aren't home? Does that mean another trip to that home? Maybe two or three until they find someone at home? GG 3
cinepro Posted March 21, 2015 Posted March 21, 2015 Recently our Bishop has announced a new policy requesting that all Fast Offerings be directly collected by the Deacons as they will be coming by evey house to collect. As of yet, I have not ascertained where this policy has originated, ie local or higher up. Has anyone else heard of this or have this happening in their ward? I've been in some wards that do it, and some that don't. I think the reasoning is a mixture of the following: 1. "Builds character" for the deacons (and the parent who has to drive them around).2. Some people might donate a fast offering who otherwise wouldn't.3. Gives some people a short church-related contact once a month (if they aren't going to Church and have a delinquent home teacher). Honestly, I was really glad when my son became a Teacher...
Senator Posted March 21, 2015 Author Posted March 21, 2015 I've been in some wards that do it, and some that don't. I think the reasoning is a mixture of the following: 1. "Builds character" for the deacons (and the parent who has to drive them around).2. Some people might donate a fast offering who otherwise wouldn't.3. Gives some people a short church-related contact once a month (if they aren't going to Church and have a delinquent home teacher). Honestly, I was really glad when my son became a Teacher... The letter that was read specificly touted #1....that this is a duty of the Deacon that we have been neglecting....that they need the experience as a preparation for their missions. (why is eveything in preparation for the mission????? ugh)
HappyJackWagon Posted March 21, 2015 Posted March 21, 2015 Deacon's collecting fast offerings is pure busy work. It's a waste of gas and time in an effort to give the deacons an assignment. Instead, they should be given something meaningful to do. To the OP- I believe this is just a local decision based on local needs. This wouldn't work in a majority of wards outside of the Mormon Corridor. It's not a scriptural duty. It is busy work. Sometimes there is benefit to busy work but it's still busy work AND frankly the deacon's have no business being responsible for money. Tithing must be handed to a member of the bishopric but any deacon can pick up fast offerings? 4
Senator Posted March 21, 2015 Author Posted March 21, 2015 What a terrible idea..GG For me it's one of those things where I just have to say...."Ok,, whatever"
bluebell Posted March 21, 2015 Posted March 21, 2015 I grew up in Montana and northern Wyoming and in some of those wards the deacons collected and in others they didn't. It doesn't have anything to do with living in Utah. In our ward right now in Utah the deacons collect. It's not a bid deal since all but one street is within walking distance from the church. No one makes you give the money to the deacons though, you can still put it in with your fast offering if you want to.
Calm Posted March 21, 2015 Posted March 21, 2015 The deacons supply the newsletter went they take around the fast offering collections, we always pay with our tithing but no one has ever said we shouldn't (and my husband is one of those in charge of counting money so he would know if they wanted to do it differently). I know some of the older people and others who don't get to church much like to meet some of the youngsters in the ward this way. Also when they bring in the Sacrament (which includes a young woman to share a scripture reading).
HappyJackWagon Posted March 21, 2015 Posted March 21, 2015 It doesn't have anything to do with living in Utah.It has everything to do with proximity. For example, in my ward Deacons would have to cover an entire county plus pieces of 2 others which would make collections very inefficient.
Calm Posted March 21, 2015 Posted March 21, 2015 In wards with large areas I've been in the past, deacons were assigned just a certain number that were relatively close by their homes. Other members were to pay with tithing. I assume that the ones they've picked up were asked if they were okay with it, but perhaps they were only 'called' to do so. 1
Traela Posted March 21, 2015 Posted March 21, 2015 In our ward, the deacons only collect fast offerings from the less actives. The rest just pay on their tithing slips.
omni Posted March 21, 2015 Posted March 21, 2015 Having grown up in Utah, I always assumed that's how it was done everywhere. I've never understood the need for it when it's right there on the tithing slip. As a young deacon it wasn't too difficult as there was usually a dozen of us to slit up the work, but I remember always feeling awkward asking the inactives. I can still remember the looks on their faces as they answered the door those early Sunday mornings.
bluebell Posted March 21, 2015 Posted March 21, 2015 (edited) It has everything to do with proximity. For example, in my ward Deacons would have to cover an entire county plus pieces of 2 others which would make collections very inefficient. I understand that. But i've been in wards where, in such a case, the deacons were just asked to collect from a select few members (like Cal said) that were close by their houses or close to the church, or location where they were close to each other. I don't think that inefficiency is a deal breaker. This definitely would not work in every ward (I've lived in wards that were an hour and half from one end to the other and that would be tough!), but it can work in many wards that are not in utah or other lds heavy areas. Edited March 21, 2015 by bluebell
mnn727 Posted March 21, 2015 Posted March 21, 2015 Recently our Bishop has announced a new policy requesting that all Fast Offerings be directly collected by the Deacons as they will be coming by evey house to collect. As of yet, I have not ascertained where this policy has originated, ie local or higher up. Has anyone else heard of this or have this happening in their ward?Thats how its supposed to happen. We go through cycles here in my part of Texas, sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn't - Depends on the Bishop and the YM President.
BCSpace Posted March 21, 2015 Posted March 21, 2015 Deacon's collecting fast offerings is pure busy work. It's a waste of gas and time in an effort to give the deacons an assignment. Instead, they should be given something meaningful to do. I agree. It's like tracting as a missionary. The operating principle is: "Tract until you come up with something more effective." Replace the word "Tract" with "Collect fast offerings door-to-door" or "Do hometeaching" or similar things.
MorningStar Posted March 21, 2015 Posted March 21, 2015 Our old ward didn't do this, but our new ward does. It's extremely awkward because most of the time they come by when I'm napping and then my kids come wake me up so I can tell them again that I pay with my tithing slip. And then if we're having company over on a fast Sunday, my husband is out driving around with the boys when I need help. He grew up with that being the regular thing, but it drives me nuts! Now when offerings were paid in the form of food, that would make sense, but this doesn't. Don't put it on the tithing slip if you want me to give it to the Deacons. 1
Stargazer Posted March 21, 2015 Posted March 21, 2015 Thats how its supposed to happen. We go through cycles here in my part of Texas, sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn't - Depends on the Bishop and the YM President.Yes, that's how it works in my ward as well. And the deacons are never sent to those who haven't agreed in advance to donate FO in that way. At the moment the deacons aren't collecting it, but 6 months ago they were. I haven't asked why they stopped, and I'm not sufficiently interested, I guess. I'm happy to do it both ways.
Jeanne Posted March 21, 2015 Posted March 21, 2015 As a mother of a deacon years ago, let those guys do sometning else. Pay tithing/fast offerings yourself..and Deacon/Scouts could better serve for shoveling snow and mowing lawns for the elderly. 1
Stargazer Posted March 21, 2015 Posted March 21, 2015 Deacon's collecting fast offerings is pure busy work. It's a waste of gas and time in an effort to give the deacons an assignment. Instead, they should be given something meaningful to do.To the OP- I believe this is just a local decision based on local needs. This wouldn't work in a majority of wards outside of the Mormon Corridor. It's not a scriptural duty. It is busy work. Sometimes there is benefit to busy work but it's still busy work AND frankly the deacon's have no business being responsible for money. Tithing must be handed to a member of the bishopric but any deacon can pick up fast offerings?They should be given something "meaningful" to do? "It's not a scriptural duty"? "deacon's have no business being responsible for money"?So, I search my scriptures looking for scriptural warrant of what deacons are supposed to do that is "meaningful." There is only one thing mentioned specifically as "deacon's work":In D & C 20 there are duties laid out for each office in turn, all the way down to Teacher, and after saying what the Teacher is to do, we have this: 57 And is to be assisted always, in all his duties in the church, by the deacons, if occasion requires. What this boils down to is that the deacons are to assist every other priesthood office in their duties, if needed. That's it. Now, who determines how deacons are to assist? The answer, HappyJackWagon, is that the presiding authorities in the Church determines this.Now, HappyJackWagon, write a letter to President Monson and the Quorum of the Twelve, and lay out your proposals for how deacons should assist.Or perhaps read what these brethren have caused to be written as to what deacons are supposed to do. Such as the basic Church manual, Duties and Blessings of the Priesthood, Part A, where in Lesson 5, these duties are specified.Ultimately, the duties of each office, beyond what LITTLE is said about them in the scriptures, is the province of the presiding authorities in the Church to specify, presumably as they are inspired by God, or further revealed by God.I have noticed that Deacons pass the sacrament. Yet passing the sacrament is not even mentioned as a priesthood task in the scriptures, let alone whether deacons should do it. Likewise, Teachers prepare the sacrament, yet preparing the sacrament is not mentioned in the scriptures either, let alone who should do it. Priests alone among the Aaronic priesthood are mentioned as administering the sacrament. So it would appear that anyone at all could prepare and pass the sacrament. Unless "administrating" the sacrament includes with its meaning the preparation and the passing of it. What did the Lord intend? I don't know about you, but I assume that the Lord has directed how this is all supposed to fall out, and that we are doing what He wants in the way He wants us to do it. The Aaronic priesthood is a preparatory priesthood, and so as each office has certain duties that increase in responsibility in a progression, the assumption is that assisting the Bishop by collecting the SMALL amount of money that constitutes the Fast Offering is an early teaching tool in preparation for greater responsibilities. Note that if a deacon may collect Fast Offering, this means that EVERY priesthood holder may do it.Hey, did I ever tell you about the time when I, as an Elder and full-time missionary, was asked by a branch president to collect the tithing from a 100% disabled sister who could never come to church due to her medical condition? So, I've even collected Tithing while acting in my deacon's capacity to assist a presiding elder. It never before occurred to me that I was acting under a Deacon's authority in doing so, but ya learn something new every day. 3
Rain Posted March 21, 2015 Posted March 21, 2015 (edited) What a terrible idea... I always include my fast offering on my tithing slip and write a check for the whole amount, which sometimes includes amounts for other categories such as the PEF or Missionaries, etc.I suppose I could write a separate check and hand it to a deacon... it just seems like such an effort to go to every house... I do remember as a girl growing up the deacons coming for the fast offering... what if people aren't home? Does that mean another trip to that home? Maybe two or three until they find someone at home? GGIt's really not a big deal. In my first ward that switched (and we were asked to pay separately) I grumbled about making 2 checks, but after a couple of times it I hardly gave it a second thought. Fast offerings increased and there were a couple of people who were not active and learned about what fast offerings were for and said they were grateful to pay.A few months back, this came up in our new ward's ward council. My husband was all for a change and told why. Besides the offerings increasing it would help the boys learn confidence and gave most of them a better sense of responsibility. Now our bishop was wise and trained the boys about it and it's purpose. He also trained the whole priesthood why they were asking us to do it separately. That was supposed to happen in RS as well, but the RSP basically said that the bishop had asked us to pay when the deacons came.The first few months were tough. We had grumbling boys and men who said, "that is a deacon's job" till it was mentioned they hadn't been released as a deacon.It was tough on my son as the deacon's quorum president as he was the one who had to find people to help the deacons. It was tough as they were making up all the extra packets.With our change of meeting schedules it means that either my husband doesn't support my son by going out with him or doesn't go to either PEC or ward council, whichever falls that week. The bishop finds it is most important for DH to be with my son and then I go to the meeting.DH says it hasn't been easy and has had annoyances, but offerings have significantly increased. At least one man never goes to church and likely never will, but is glad he gets the opportunity now. And probably the best blessing is that when one man started helping his deacon son with it the whole family has become much more active.Worth it in our ward. Edited March 22, 2015 by Rain 2
cinepro Posted March 22, 2015 Posted March 22, 2015 (edited) Maybe the OW crowd could get behind this... Edited March 22, 2015 by cinepro 4
Judd Posted March 22, 2015 Posted March 22, 2015 I think it will depend, but in general I think it's done to have something to do or just done rather mindlessly because its tradition. I hate callings and other things that we find to give people a responsibility. There are plenty of legitimate things to do and ways to sacrifice that we don't need to manufacture sacrifice. Push that available sacrifice into other areas of need. Another thing, which I think we'll see over time, is moving toward online tithing donations. There's limited utility in having two people stick around for 2ish hours of prime family time counting money.
rockpond Posted March 22, 2015 Posted March 22, 2015 Recently our Bishop has announced a new policy requesting that all Fast Offerings be directly collected by the Deacons as they will be coming by evey house to collect. As of yet, I have not ascertained where this policy has originated, ie local or higher up. Has anyone else heard of this or have this happening in their ward? I am in a Bishopric and have not (yet) heard of this as an official policy change. I'm very torn on it... It's rather inefficient nowadays when nobody pays "in kind". I think most would really rather just put it in the envelope with their tithing. In addition to making parents drive their boys around, it creates extra work for those counting the funds that day. At the same time, I remember my dad taking me to the home of a completely inactive brother in our ward each month. He always paid a fast offering. It made an impression on me. And it was, obviously, money that would not have made it into the fast offering fund if we didn't come by. Currently, our ward allows families to opt out of the fast offering route if they'd prefer to just include it with their tithing. But if our Bishop said that he wanted every family to have a Deacon pick it up from their house -- I'd do it. It certainly isn't the only inefficient ritual we do in our church. Rituals can have great value. 1
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