Callings you’ve had or might have or will never have in your life.

[Anonymous]

The Church is an odd organization in so many ways. This is certainly one of them.

If any of you have sat for a job interview or you were the one conducting the interview, you know what it’s like to

talk to someone, review their background, review their resume, talk to other people who have worked with them in the past

& know: this is the person I want or need to fill the requirements of this position or this is the person I could never work with.

Or, generally, this is not a good fit at this time.

I can’t imagine sitting with a SP or HC and praying about the candidate for the position of Bishop or EQ President and not

having an in depth interview. Can you imagine being a young member of a High Counsel, praying about a person who is being

considered, knowing the candidate because you work with them (with all their qualities & flaws) then agreeing that the calling

is inspired from God? How would you approach the SP without discussing personal & confidential information? This is probably

not a common occurrence. But there are times when the calling is extended based on the family name & reputation. Or,

the position they hold in the private sector. In our area of the kingdom, there haven’t been many “blue” collar members called

to leadership positions.

I’m probably getting off topic. (I’m old & senile.)

[Anonymous]

Minyan Man wrote:

But there are times when the calling is extended based on the family name & reputation. Or,

the position they hold in the private sector. In our area of the kingdom, there haven’t been many “blue” collar members called

to leadership positions.

I do think someone’s reputation and what is commonly known about them goes into a lot of calling decisions. Every bishop and SP I’ve had were professionally successful and they all had day jobs that gave them some amount of leadership/management experience. Even the blue collar bishops I’ve had owned their own businesses.

The stake I grew up in was relatively isolated and not many people came or left. The same guys were constantly being called to leadership positions at the stake and ward levels. Most likely because they were known to be competent and preferable over someone who was unproven. Why call someone new when you’ve got a guy who’s been a bishop, SP counselor, and the YSA bishop who’s willing to fill the current leadership vacancy.

[Anonymous]

Once in SS the teacher was a former mission president that I know fairly well and respect. His lesson included how local church leaders make mistakes and should be extended grace. He was sharing about how often the ward leader is doing his best and left to his own best judgment in running the ward. I shared how I had heard a funny couplet to go along with this, “some callings are inspiration and some callings are desperation.” I was gently chastised. According to this former MP, extending callings is the one exception to the “leaders doing their best” rule. Callings are ALWAYS inspired.

I felt somewhat amused and couldn’t wait to get home and tell my wife what had happened. It was a perfect example of the church trying to have it both ways. “Oh forgive us when we make mistakes, we are doing the best we can” but then when you might feel uncomfortable taking on additional responsibility for the church it’s like “We don’t make mistakes. Every calling is from God.” 😆 😆 😆

[Anonymous]

Roy wrote:

Once in SS the teacher was a former mission president that I know fairly well and respect. His lesson included how local church leaders make mistakes and should be extended grace. He was sharing about how often the ward leader is doing his best and left to his own best judgment in running the ward. I shared how I had heard a funny couplet to go along with this, “some callings are inspiration and some callings are desperation.” I was gently chastised. According to this former MP, extending callings is the one exception to the “leaders doing their best” rule. Callings are ALWAYS inspired.

When I was teaching the 17 year-olds, one Sunday our discussion got into callings. I gently put forth the idea to them that callings are not always inspired. I told them that the bishop is human just like us. That he’s a good man who loves the ward, but he isn’t perfect and has a lot of responsibilities in his own life along with running the ward. And like any imperfect human, he can make mistakes too. I then went on to say that that is why it’s so important for us to support the bishop if we are able (wording it that way to hopefully not imply that we need to accept every calling, while still encouraging serving others).

I could tell by the look on their faces that they hadn’t been told anything like that before.

[Anonymous]

The best calling I have had: Gospel Doctrine Teacher (since I can tailor the lessons to address issues and still stay true to the material) or Youth Sunday School Teacher (since I can teach pure Gospel concepts early enough to make a difference) or High Council (since I can teach without much other real responsibility 😀) or Nursery Leader with my wife (obvious reasons)

The worst calling I have had: Primary Chorister (since I am not visually creative, which kids need) — I told them I would not be good at it, and they released me as soon as they found someone who could be decent at it. 😂🤣😂

The calling I would never accept: Relief Society President (just saying) or (in the past) Scout Leader (Hated Scouts)

The calling I would like now: Pretty much any Sunday School teacher

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