Per the handbook, how often does a ward's attendance need to dip below 100 before discussions on merging units begins?

[nuclearfuels]

Per the handbook, how often does a ward's attendance need to dip below 100 before discussions on merging units begins?

[mfbukowski]

1 hour ago, nuclearfuels said:

Per the handbook, how often does a ward's attendance need to dip below 100 before discussions on merging units begins?

When in doubt, look it up.

https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/first-presidency-announces-uniform-worldwide-standards-for-ward-and-stake-boundaries

 

[nuclearfuels]

1 hour ago, mfbukowski said:

When in doubt, look it up.

This is a news article citing recent policy changes.
I'm not sure the handbooks speak to the SOP for when a ward become a branch or when wards or branches are combined

[mfbukowski]

2 hours ago, nuclearfuels said:

This is a news article citing recent policy changes.
I'm not sure the handbooks speak to the SOP for when a ward become a branch or when wards or branches are combined

Quote

 

In 2024, stakes will need 150 active, full-tithe-paying Melchizedek Priesthood holders capable of serving in leadership positions. They will also need a total of 500 participating adults.

The new requirements also state that wards need 250 members and 20 active, full-tithe-paying Melchizedek Priesthood holders who are capable of serving in leadership positions. Each ward also will need 100 participating adults.

 

Below those limits, it would be a branch.

Above those limits, it is a ward.

No, there would be no need to publish THIS alteration of what is in the Handbook IF this was already IN the Handbook.

IMO there is not much else needed to be said, but I suppose I could be wrong.  Hope your day is going well. Just my opinion.

Edited June 24, 2024 by mfbukowski

[mfbukowski]

https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/first-presidency-announces-uniform-worldwide-standards-for-ward-and-stake-boundaries

[JustAnAustralian]

When the Stake/Mission Presidency decides that it might be needed, then the discussions will start.

The general membership won't know that this discussion is happening.

Edited June 24, 2024 by JustAnAustralian

[nuclearfuels]

23 hours ago, JustAnAustralian said:

When the Stake/Mission Presidency decides that it might be needed, then the discussions will start.

The general membership won't know that this discussion is happening.

Thanks! I think you're right.

Does combining Primary and Youth classes and programs a sign of a ward becoming a branch??

[JustAnAustralian]

59 minutes ago, nuclearfuels said:

Does combining Primary and Youth classes and programs a sign of a ward becoming a branch??

No. 

I would also expect that the boundaries would be changed to give the lower attending ward more members before they considered making it a branch.

[Stargazer]

One of the long-standing wards in my stake was recently converted to a branch. It was a ward with low membership and attendance. I think that was mainly due to its being in a university city, as membership has varied a lot over the years. One of our wards recently merged with another nearby ward from another stake (which had been discontinued). And our stake also received one of the wards from the discontinued stake. 

That being said, my own ward's sacrament meeting attendance is typically below 100. So I wonder if we're on the chopping block!