Expanded role for women or another layer of bureaucracy?

[Peacefully]

https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2021-03-12/international-area-organization-advisers-europe-women-206442

Thus is the part I find interesting: The position of area organization adviser expands leadership roles for women in the area and builds upon the practice of women and men serving alongside each other in unity on councils and committees on the other levels, the release stated.

Edited March 13, 2021 by Peacefully

[rongo]

I don't think this is bureaucratic. They are "mentoring" and participating in councils (giving counsel) at the area level for their assigned areas. Bureaucracy, to me, indicates that things would go through them or be enacted by them. 

[Glenn101]

   It just may be part of the continuing restoration of which President Nelson has spoken. I look back and see how the patriarchy came about, out of necessity, when men had to "bring home the bacon", as the old saying goes to the present time when technological and educational advances have minimized that need. I really have no idea how this is going to work in the hereafter, but for it to work we all must be of one mind and spirit. This could well be part of that learning process.

Glenn

[CV75]

13 hours ago, Peacefully said:

https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2021-03-12/international-area-organization-advisers-europe-women-206442

Thus is the part I find interesting: The position of area organization adviser expands leadership roles for women in the area and builds upon the practice of women and men serving alongside each other in unity on councils and committees on the other levels, the release stated.

I like the mentoring aspect and that the observation that “Women are the guardians of the family institution, the backbone of society and also of the Church" indicates teh importance of shoring up Church leadership in Europe and eventually, likely, elsewhere.

This link within this article is also informative, and includes to the sense of urgency, "feminine side" and mandate and that was likely conveyed to the women as they were called:  https://news-uk.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/church-expands-leadership-roles-for-women-in-europe

[Peacefully]

9 hours ago, Glenn101 said:

   It just may be part of the continuing restoration of which President Nelson has spoken. I look back and see how the patriarchy came about, out of necessity, when men had to "bring home the bacon", as the old saying goes to the present time when technological and educational advances have minimized that need. I really have no idea how this is going to work in the hereafter, but for it to work we all must be of one mind and spirit. This could well be part of that learning process.

Glenn

I agree with your assessment. It seems that women are being prepared for larger roles in church leadership. It will take all members, regardless of male or female, to move the work forward, and not by just staying in the roles set up by an, imho, outdated patriarchal mindset. I applaud this direction and I do think it is inspired. 

[Peacefully]

1 hour ago, CV75 said:

I like the mentoring aspect and that the observation that “Women are the guardians of the family institution, the backbone of society and also of the Church" indicates teh importance of shoring up Church leadership in Europe and eventually, likely, elsewhere.

This link within this article is also informative, and includes to the sense of urgency, "feminine side" and mandate and that was likely conveyed to the women as they were called:  https://news-uk.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/church-expands-leadership-roles-for-women-in-europe

Someone suggested on another board that the church had to do something like this in Europe because women have more equality there. First, I’m not sure that is true for all European countries. Second, I don’t believe that the leadership of the church caves to social pressure. I think the leaders take many things into consideration and then seek for inspiration and revelation. Seems inspired to me:)

[rongo]

13 minutes ago, Peacefully said:

Someone suggested on another board that the church had to do something like this in Europe because women have more equality there. First, I’m not sure that is true for all European countries. Second, I don’t believe that the leadership of the church caves to social pressure. I think the leaders take many things into consideration and then seek for inspiration and revelation. Seems inspired to me:)

I agree that this isn't something the Church "had" to do due to societal pressures. Europe is more "progressive" than the United States, and this carries over into the political views of many members, but there isn't a "militant" tension between conservative, traditional members and more progressive members. 

I think it's interesting that this isn't being piloted or "test-driven" in North America. I don't think there would have been any negative reactions, even by the more traditional, conservative members. I think the North American reaction would largely be the same as the European one. 

ETA: They will be working with the auxiliaries more than the current general auxiliary presidencies, which is good (because they are more local and closer to them, so there will be more personal contact than once-in-a-lifetime visits from members of the general auxiliary presidencies), and they will probably take up much more of the stake conference visiting authority slots. 

I wonder how often the area council meetings are (i.e., how often they will have to travel to Frankfurt)? 

Edited March 13, 2021 by rongo

[Peacefully]

2 hours ago, rongo said:

I agree that this isn't something the Church "had" to do due to societal pressures. Europe is more "progressive" than the United States, and this carries over into the political views of many members, but there isn't a "militant" tension between conservative, traditional members and more progressive members. 

I think it's interesting that this isn't being piloted or "test-driven" in North America. I don't think there would have been any negative reactions, even by the more traditional, conservative members. I think the North American reaction would largely be the same as the European one. 

ETA: They will be working with the auxiliaries more than the current general auxiliary presidencies, which is good (because they are more local and closer to them, so there will be more personal contact than once-in-a-lifetime visits from members of the general auxiliary presidencies), and they will probably take up much more of the stake conference visiting authority slots. 

I wonder how often the area council meetings are (i.e., how often they will have to travel to Frankfurt)? 

Good observations. I don’t know a much about how general auxiliaries function, but it sounds like a lot of work and travel. 

[CV75]

2 hours ago, Peacefully said:

Someone suggested on another board that the church had to do something like this in Europe because women have more equality there. First, I’m not sure that is true for all European countries. Second, I don’t believe that the leadership of the church caves to social pressure. I think the leaders take many things into consideration and then seek for inspiration and revelation. Seems inspired to me:)

Given that the reasons for doing this have to do with preserving the family institution (the backbone of society), it may well be to counter the negative direction that many societies are going in relation to the various ideals enumerated in the Family Proclamation. These nations in Europe were evidently identified by their Area Presidencies as good places to start, but I imagine this expanding rapidly.

This approach may also counter the leadership problems that arise in many areas where the Church grows quickly.