Didge here

[Anonymous]

Didge wrote:

So I can empathize with your dilemma, Dark Jedi. I hope things work out to your satisfaction.

Just to clarify, not having a calling is not what led to me not attending church. Church services themselves not being engaging is what led to me not attending church. So, even with a calling I’d likely find church unengaging, although with the right calling I might be able to make at least part of it more engaging. Although I wouldn’t likely accept a calling that didn’t necessarily require attendance at church (for example family history – a hard no go for me) some such calling might also be within the realm of possibilities (although I can’t really think of one that fits off hand). In my personal case there might be some correlation in church attendance and a calling, but there really isn’t causation. The correlation is a coincidence.

FWIW, my ward is extremely small and struggling. They’re losing people left and right due to move outs and deaths. There are certainly opportunities and need there. That’s one of the things that perplexes me and frankly solidifies my point of view of lack of inspiration on the part of the leadership. And, yes, I think God is aware of all of this, thus solidifying my Deist point of view.

[Anonymous]

DarkJedi wrote:

I also note Roy does make a good point about inspiration as opposed to revelation, something I learned about here many years ago (maybe from Roy).

Many years ago, my wife was going through some difficulties. I don’t remember the specifics but I think the bishop’s wife was talking to my wife and told her something like, “I hope you don’t mind but I asked my husband to visit you to see how he might help.” Some days later, when the bishop did visit, he said that he felt inspired to come by. My wife called him out and said that she already knew that his wife had asked him to visit. He laughed and said, “inspiration comes in many forms.” This is also a wonderful example of ministry/pastoring.

[Anonymous]

Roy wrote:

DarkJedi wrote:

I also note Roy does make a good point about inspiration as opposed to revelation, something I learned about here many years ago (maybe from Roy).

Many years ago, my wife was going through some difficulties. I don’t remember the specifics but I think the bishop’s wife was talking to my wife and told her something like, “I hope you don’t mind but I asked my husband to visit you to see how he might help.” Some days later, when the bishop did visit, he said that he felt inspired to come by. My wife called him out and said that she already knew that his wife had asked him to visit. He laughed and said, “inspiration comes in many forms.” This is also a wonderful example of ministry/pastoring.

And this is why I haven’t told my wife that I might be persuaded to come to church if I had something to do there. That’s not the inspiration I’m looking for.

[Author]

Posts