Should An LDS Member Turn Down A Calling?

[Comprehend]

Which one? (I'm too lazy to search back through the thread, and you seem to know right where it is )

um, which statement of Uchtawerwerdorf's?

The one about callings are to "always be accepted" (if my memory serves me). I think it is from the PH session.

 

[misanthropic_clown]

I was brought up with the principle that you shouldn't say no to any assignment, be it a calling or just a talk or prayer.

The Lord tests our faith sometimes with tasks that we don't think we can handle, but in the end it all boils down to the fact that if it is something divinely inspired, as we believe callings are, if we take it on, we will be blessed for it.

Our reasons for wanting to turn something down are not always trivial, taking on some responsibilities can be nothing short of scary and the circumstances which make us want to say no can be very real. But God knows the circumstances you are in as much as you do, and more. To turn down a calling is essentially to say "God doesn't know me"

As such, refusing a calling is no small matter, in my opinion.

 

[SoyLeche]

um, which statement of Uchtawerwerdorf's?

The one about callings are to "always be accepted" (if my memory serves me). I think it is from the PH session.

Without actually looking it up - I would first remember what E. Packer said in the leadership broadcast a couple months back - about Genereal Authorities speaking of general principles, with some wiggle-room in individual cases.

 

[SoyLeche]

Soy, you ought to know by now that I consider you a reasonable person. I don't think you hold any radical views and I don't usually have strong disagreements with you.

I don't think you are being unreasonable here either. I can see it as being possible too, I just have a hard time doing it. I'm ok with your position.

Thanks. I'm still trying to work through the implications of what I have said too

 

[zippythepinhead]

I was released as the building cleaning NAZI. Then I was extended the Activities Committee call. I excepted as did my wife. I can't wait to meet the chairs. )(

 

[Katzpur]

Well, I've got the cushiest job in the ward right now -- Ward Webmaster. I have to update our ward's website when someone from the bishopric or presidencies sends me something. After years and years of teaching either Relief Society or Gospel Principles, I hardly know what to do with myself.

 

[SoyLeche]

Well, I've got the cushiest job in the ward right now -- Ward Webmaster. I have to update our ward's website when someone from the bishopric or presidencies sends me something. After years and years of teaching either Relief Society or Gospel Principles, I hardly know what to do with myself.

[rant]
Does your ward send out an email for each and every little change that is made to the ward calendar? It get's really annoying.

What I would like to see is a monthly email sent out for a general overview, and then weekly emails for more detailed. An email for a specific activity would only go out if something changed since the weekly email was sent.

I really don't need to get an email today telling me that there is a Primary activity that has been scheduled for October.
[/rant]

 

[Katzpur]

Does your ward send out an email for each and every little change that is made to the ward calendar? It get's really annoying.

No. We just post everything on the Sacrament Meeting program. And I don't have anything at all to do with the monthly newsletter, either. Mostly, I just update the ward leadership roster which obviously doesn't change all that often.

 

[Scott C.]

[rant]
Does your ward send out an email for each and every little change that is made to the ward calendar? It get's really annoying.

What I would like to see is a monthly email sent out for a general overview, and then weekly emails for more detailed. An email for a specific activity would only go out if something changed since the weekly email was sent.

I really don't need to get an email today telling me that there is a Primary activity that has been scheduled for October.
[/rant]

I think you can fix that. In LDS.org, you go to your profile and designate what type of messages you want such as all, EQ, HP, RS, Primary etc.

Unless your ward is sending out updates, not throught the calendar on LDS.org.

 

[SoyLeche]

I think you can fix that. In LDS.org, you go to your profile and designate what type of messages you want such as all, EQ, HP, RS, Primary etc.

Unless your ward is sending out updates, not throught the calendar on LDS.org.

I have. The problem is - it still sends out a single email for every single update to those particular calendars. I've talked to the Bishop (we carpool so talking about somewhat trivial matters with him is easy to do), and as far as he knows there is no way to change it.

When the web-person does a marathon "adding events to the calendar" night, I end up getting 15 to 20 emails sent to me that night. It's ridiculous.

 

[zippythepinhead]

No. We just post everything on the Sacrament Meeting program. And I don't have anything at all to do with the monthly newsletter, either. Mostly, I just update the ward leadership roster which obviously doesn't change all that often.

Katz, Maybe you can jazz up our ward site.:yes:

 

[zomg]

Yeah, I'm bringing this back up. I have no problem if a person does not want to accept a calling if they have a good reason (laziness doesn't count). However, I am sick of people who don't have the guts to follow through on their word.

For example.
I was asked by the Elder's Quorum President to contact a brother in our quorum and extend the calling to serve as the class teacher for the second week of each month.

I called the guy up and set an appointment to come by a few nights later. That night arrives, I go to the guy's house...no answer. I call and leave a message, thinking he forgot. It happens. Days go by, no return call.

A week later I call him again. His wife answers..."Yeah, I'll have him call you back in a few minutes." Days go by...no return call.

A week later I finally have no choice but to corner him at church. "You are a hard man to get a hold of," says I.
"What?"
"I've been tring to get a hold of you for the past few weeks."
"Oh..."
"Can I come by tomorrow night for a few minutes?"
"Sure."

That was last night.
I go to his house. No lights on. Knock on the door. No answer. Then I hear a car starting behind his complex. Not to be the one looking like a fool, I walk down the street to my car. Sure enough, there his truck goes.

I call his phone. No answer. Leave a message. No reply (it has been 12 hours)

I'm livid. I got up in the middle of the stinking "night" (I work the midnight shift...7 PM is my prime sleeping time) to go talk with this guy and he keeps playing this stupid game.

Hey, buddy, quit being a wuss and just tell me you want nothing to do with it!!!! You could have told me the first time I called but no, you had to play this game.

The quorum President says I should try once more by pulling the guy aside before Priesthood meeting and interviewing him. I am praying for the strength to keep my tongue in check because I just want to tear him a new one.

Seriously, people, if you don't want a calling....JUST SAY SO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
/rant

 

[Katzpur]

Yeah, I'm bringing this back up. I have no problem if a person does not want to accept a calling if they have a good reason (laziness doesn't count). However, I am sick of people who don't have the guts to follow through on their word.

Seriously, people, if you don't want a calling....JUST SAY SO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
/rant

Amen!

 

[Watchmen]

Interesting. I think the EQP should be offering the callings himself. Also, why didn't you extend the calling when you saw him at church the first time?

 

[zomg]

He must have had other things to do so he asked me, as the second counsellor, to do it.

I don't know. I probably should have taken the chance at church when I first had it. Live and learn, I suppose.

 

[madhatter85]

The EQ president may have asked him to do it for this very reason.

The Lord may inspire our leaders to ask us to take care of something so that we may learn how to handle it in the future, to prepare us for the calling we will have later in life.