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church0333 wrote:
Well, as some of you may know, I have been a little more open in my talks that I give as a high councilor and as I related this last talk,
not everyone has been happy about what I have said. I meant with the SP and he said that there has been too much back lash from some membersand even thought he know me and my situation and understands what I an trying to do, it is just too much and that I will be release. I asked him if I have taught anything false and he said no but that some of the things I talked about were not faith promoting enought. He told me that I was put into a nearly impossible position of being true to myself and still deliever the massage the stake wanted me to give. He showed love and support while at the same time letting me know that MY MESSAGE was not what was wanted at this time… I have very mixed feelings right now. Relieved and dissapointed and maybe a little hurt. I knew that I was pushing it some but felt inspired to do so…I just want this over and I told my wife that I think I will take a little break between callings… I feel bad about the way this happened because it is disappointing and discouraging to see that there are members like this that are so set in their ways that they would go out of their way to complain about hearing anything new or different from what they already expect and have the stake president be swayed this easily by this pressure. On the other hand, I liked to see that you “fought the good fight” (2 Timothy 4:7) as long as possible with this calling; don’t let them get you down, your heart is in the right place and that’s what matters more than playing along with some worn-out script.
church0333, you have my support and encouragement, as I know it is tough to be denied the opportunity of sharing what you feel so passionate about. I, too, had a similar experience being released as HP teacher, for the same reasons. While some members had expressed appreciation and encouragement for what I was teaching, others complained to the bishop because I didn’t follow the manual close enough. They were absolutely right. I frequently didn’t follow the manual because IMO it was pablum or worse. My class was made up of x-bishops, HC, and most were lifers who had the standard stuff down pat. But I always stayed on topic and repeatedly told them my aim was to inform, motivate, or inspire, not regurgitate what was in the book. (If that’s what they wanted they can read it for themselves.) Nevertheless, I was told some were so offended and that they wouldn’t go to class. I suggested to my HPGL that I that I believed learning from the best books, words of wisdom was a higher principle, I acknowledged that the Bishop’s stewardship would trump mine.
Well the hew and cry for ignorance carried the day, and I am no longer teaching. But I’m no longer attending priesthood regularly either. That sword cuts both ways.
Sorry, for getting on my soap box, but I agree with you that the Church will sooner or later have to face up to its dogmatic issues. The PTB will decide when that is and I will cheer them on when they are ready. Until they do, I feel your pain. God speed.
dash1730 wrote:church0333, you have my support and encouragement, as I know it is tough to be denied the opportunity of sharing what you feel so passionate about.
I, too, had a similar experience being released as HP teacher, for the same reasons. While some members had expressed appreciation and encouragement for what I was teaching, others complained to the bishop because I didn’t follow the manual close enough. They were absolutely right. I frequently didn’t follow the manual because IMO it was pablum or worse. My class was made up of x-bishops, HC, and most were lifers who had the standard stuff down pat. But I always stayed on topic and repeatedly told them my aim was to inform, motivate, or inspire, not regurgitate what was in the book. (If that’s what they wanted they can read it for themselves.) Nevertheless, I was told some were so offended and that they wouldn’t go to class. I suggested to my HPGL that I that I believed learning from the best books, words of wisdom was a higher principle, I acknowledged that the Bishop’s stewardship would trump mine.
Well the hew and cry for ignorance carried the day, and I am no longer teaching. But I’m no longer attending priesthood regularly either. That sword cuts both ways.
Sorry, for getting on my soap box, but I agree with you that the Church will sooner or later have to face up to its dogmatic issues. The PTB will decide when that is and I will cheer them on when they are ready. Until they do, I feel your pain. God speed.
Thank you for your kind words. My HPGL has already asked me if I would want to be a regular teacher but last time I taught he tried to micromanage the lesson so much that I told him to just teach the class himself or let me do it my own way. I taught the class but he still tried to always go back to the manual and didn’t want to lesson to stray to much even though others were driving it that way because of the questions I asked. I don’t want to teach right now, in fact I don’t think that I want any calling for a while.
Find an avenue for service in the community, if you would like that – and, perhaps, even offer to help coordinate community service by the members just for the sake of service (no missionary work agenda attached). If you don’t want the direct link to the Church in that effort, find something you can do on your own or with family. Old-Timer wrote:Find an avenue for service in the community, if you would like that – and, perhaps, even offer to help coordinate community service by the members just for the sake of service (no missionary work agenda attached). If you don’t want the direct link to the Church in that effort, find something you can do on your own or with family.
I like this message. The act of servicing I think helps ones positive feelings and self esteem. Doesn’t matter to whom, but pick something you feel passionate about that you can have more control over. Try not to focus your energy or worries in things beyond your control.
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