I have previously highlighted in this newsletter the dynamics that come with a “youth-focused” bishopric, and it has been interesting to get email replies from other organizational leaders.
For example, I heard from two different Primary presidency members expressing their frustration that they get very little support or recognition from the bishopric, and this concerns them since the Primary children are, as they put it, “the future of the Church.”
It seems that this “youth-focused” transition is creating a lot of “bishopric orphans” who feel forgotten, abandoned, or dismissed.
These bishopric orphans might include, the Primary, Sunday School, and even some Young Women organizations (who are part of the “youth focus,”) but who can feel the bishopric is gravitating towards their responsibility for the priests, teachers, and deacons.
Though the encouragement for the bishopric to “focus on the youth” has been obvious in some Conference talks and local leadership trainings, a closer reading of the General Handbook shows how complicated delegation can be for a bishopric.
Can the bishopric members focus on only the youth?
Well… they also need to give “guidance… meet regularly [with the elders quorum president]… discuss the work of salvation and exaltation, including the service of ministering brothers… [and discuss] the progress and needs of ward members and elders quorum meetings, instruction, and activities.” (8.3.1)
(The bishop does the same for the Relief Society.)
What about the Sunday School and Primary? The bishopric can just let those run independently, right?
Well, the bishop still needs to “[assign] his counselors responsibility for the Sunday School and Primary organizations and other ward programs,” which I assume requires time and focus on the counselors’ part.
Not to mention the variety of other tasks the Handbook suggests, like:
- Overseeing records, finances, and the use of meetinghouses
- Having responsibility for the young single adults in the ward
- Being the primary spiritual leader
- Being loyal to his wife and family
…and the list goes on.
My point isn’t to be cynical of the General Handbook or any official direction.
It just seems like we are in the middle of a refining process.
Bishoprics are asked to “focus on the youth” (oh, and everything else).
Do one thing… but also do all things.
Maybe there is no avoidance of creating bishopric orphans in the ward.
How does your bishopric go about “focusing on the youth” and everything else?
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
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