My ward just venting

I am not upset. Just wish they would listen to what we need callings.

“I don’t feel comfortable holding a TR unless I feel like I’m contributing toward building the kingdom via some sort of calling?” 😈

Kidding aside, a TR interview would be the perfect place to remind your bishop. It was mentioned in the other thread, sometimes the wheels move slowly. Like they want to get a particular person to a particular calling and it creates a chain effect with people getting displaced out of callings and called to others. Sometimes there may be delay because the leaders are waiting for inspiration. Other times it may be because they simply forgot. I know our BP is extremely busy, I couldn’t imagine.

Just curious, how long has it been since you mentioned you wanted a calling? How many times have you brought it up to your bishop?

And I agree with everything Ray said. To add to that… somewhere there’s a list of people that have expired TRs. It helps leadership to remind people that may not have noticed their TR had expired or it can be used to identify the people that may have needs. I’m sure the goal is to get everyone off of that list.

I haven’t had a calling for 2 years and my husband hasn’t had one for 4 years. The Bishop called us in last year and he said wanted to would get us a calling.He has been talked to several times about it. The last time was in Oct. He was ask if there was anything we service we could. My husband really wants to be a HT. Nothing has changed.We are getting tired of asking but feel the need to service.

That is sad. I know bishops can be busy and wards can have lots of people who need opportunities (not where I live, though), but I have to agree it has been excessively long. I’d still bug him about it and would bring it up in the TR interview, but I don’t think you need to feel unworthy because you don’t have a calling – you seem to be doing your part and what has been asked of you (nothing). Another thought: You could maybe talk to the Primary president and SS president and let them know you’re available to sub, and maybe you could find other opportunities to just pitch in without being asked or called. BTW, the membership program is able to print a list of TR holders and when they expire. When I was in the bishopric it was the executive secretary’s responsibility to get the list and give reminder calls.

Donna, couple of thoughts… I don’t know… I guess I’m in a good mood today, but I’m feeling a little less critical of the Church right now.

– If your husband wants to be a home teacher, it’s not the bishop you need to talk to, but the EQP or HPGL. The bishop doesn’t make or even closely monitor those assignments. The only reason to talk to the Bishop about it is if there is some past worthiness issue, like being disfellowshipped or put on probation, but in a general sense, there is no need.

– When I get impatient with ward management, I find it useful to remind myself that the Bishop, the counselors, the RS Pres, the EQ Pres… these people are very busy, with lots of personal sacrifice and responsibility, and they aren’t paid a dime for what they do. They are almost always very good people, just trying to do the right thing, but they often fall short of perfection, because they are just like we are… in over their heads and just trying to stay afloat.

There also is nothing stopping you and/or your husband from using the time that normally would be dedicated to HT and VT to visit nursing homes or members of the ward socially. If you aren’t getting an assignment, create one on your own.

Really good idea, Ray. I bet it would be easy to figure out who in the ward needs more visits or doesn’t get visited at all by their assigned HT/VT.

We talked the Bishop Sunday. He asked my husband how he could get him to come to church more often. My husband politely explained that he has been at church the last two Sundays. My husband also tried to explain that due to his profession he has to work at least two Sunday a month sometimes more. The Bishop then ask when do you see your schedule changing by husband replied when I retire.

Thank you for all your good ideas. I guess I’ve never let my TR expire before.I didn’t know they had reminder calls. LOL

Yes, I was exec sec for a while, and one of my duties was to notify bishop when they expired, and also who was coming up to baptismal age.