Focus groups and outreach

I haven’t but if I had the chance I would go. If you do go, share the skinny here please.

I too love your tagline.

I love the idea, for a while doing something like that at the stake level was my “dream calling” because I perceived there being a real need that was going unfulfilled. Just like with anything, there are issues.

1) There might be a stigma associated with attending. The addiction recovery group probably has a similar barrier for entry. Either the attending members will feel like they are being judged or worse yet, they will be judged.

2) It’s called leadership roulette for a reason. The chamber spins and there might be a bullet in the next trigger pull. I’m glad to hear that in your case it’s headed up by a member of the 12. That removes most concerns over the new guy showing up and undoing things.

It sounds like you’ve got a good opportunity. I’d be interested in knowing how it goes.

So met with the group. It included 3 other members of different walks of life, and all generally active. The group was lead by a researcher in the correlation dept from the COB who was much younger than I expected. In his mid 20’s maybe. He said the group was meant to talk to millenials who have been troubled by issues in the church, about what the issues are, how they became issues and what do we do about them. He said he himself would fit the description of a troubled member, which was a relief. I was worried it would be a grey haired man in a suit and name badge. So it was easier to open up and express our troubles and their histories with him. Our group talked mainly about polygamy, women’s issues and gay issues within the church. After talking about our issues, he asked what would help. We told him we wanted to see more diversity in the church, to provide outreach for those who don’t fit the standard mold, that we would like to see the RS president sit on the stand for example, or give gay members more visible callings. We also wanted fifth Sunday’s to focus more on modern day issues in the church, or to have a special Sunday school for those who want to have frank discussions. He asked if having a group of other troubled members to talk to would strengthen our faith, which of course was answered with a resounding YES!!! It was also asked how we feel about doctrinal or policy change. It was answered that we strongly welcome it, but question the way it’s implemented. Like what would happen to Kate Kelly If the church decided to ordain women? Would she still be reinstated as a member? Probably not. It was a courteous and productive discussion. The person leading the group said he really enjoyed doing this and would be traveling all over the country. When he gets back to SLC, he is going to present his research to his group, (who he wouldn’t say who was on it) and brainstorm some ideas of how to help members like us. This last part was a bit of a let down. I was hoping, perhaps naively that the church shared our concerns and wanted to know what people on the fringes would think of different ways to open up the tent. Instead I got the feeling that we were to be kept as a fringe group and that they were trying to find a way to appease us without causing waves within the mainstream church.

However, we made our voices heard and it is nice knowing these will make it to someone’s ears who has the power to make change. He left his card with me, so I may write to him with other concerns, which I may do, but does anyone have any questions they might want me to bring up, that I may have missed?

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Sounds wonderful to me, including the return and discuss aspect.

I am glad you were able to participate and that heterodox voices were solicited directly. That is a very good thing.

I couldn’t believe that I was reading about a meeting that existed within our church building walls. Very different than what I’m used to hearing.

Too bad about feeling the conversation wasn’t going to hit the mainstream people.

Sounds like the church is worried about its next crop of leaders. It has to have an institutional goal behind it somehwere, if I know our church.