A few weeks ago, I discussed how leaders should make an effort to understand which callings members in their ward find most fulfilling and then use that information in their revelatory process.
But, Kurt, come on! We can’t just give every member a calling they enjoy. We’re building the kingdom here: we’ve got work to do! Plus, some members need to grow from callings they don’t enjoy.
Yes, I don’t anticipate a ward is going to get every member into a personally fulfilling calling, but it’s worth trying.
If a bishopric has determined that six people in the ward love teaching Sunday School, why not have six Sunday School classes?
If nobody enjoys emergency prep callings, why not ask multiple people to share the load while they also serve in an additional calling they enjoy?
Again, it’s not perfect but something to work toward.
One concern I find baffling is this belief that callings should sort of be painful or uncomfortable in an effort to offer people a growing experience.
Sure, I have experienced this myself and found a lot of personal growth in specific callings, but I also enjoyed many of those callings at the same time.
A few years ago, I was in a ward where the Sunday School teacher struggled with their calling.
Yeah, they were a good sport about it, and they did their best.
However, when I had private conversations with this person, they communicated that they really disliked the calling and struggled each time they had to prepare for and give a lesson.
Now, some leaders might argue that this calling is good for this person.
It is challenging them to do something they don’t enjoy, and they will grow from it.
I don’t know about you, but I find enough growth opportunities outside my church callings.
If someone isn’t fulfilled by a calling, how is this helping anybody?
Not to mention, this can have a negative impact on the quality of the experience for others, such as their experience in Sunday School lessons taught by a reluctant teacher.
Some might say, ”The [calling] was made for man, and not man for the [calling].”
I get it.
It’s easy for leaders to get caught up in the rat race of filling all the needed slots in a ward and think, if people don’t like it, then join the club.
Yet, I think there is a higher and holier way which has the potential to engage members in a ward on an entirely different way.
What do you think?
Should callings bless some and torture others?
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE.
