Imagine if you sat on the board of directors for a large Fortune 500 company that needed to find a new CEO to improve the dismal progress of the company. You are not allowed to conduct any formal interviews. You can only choose from people that live in a specific geographical neighborhood (about 350 people). To top it off, you have to make your decision in only 2 weeks.
Filling callings in a ward, quorum, or group can feel just as daunting. Most companies would think it was crazy to simply hire someone because you know the person (somewhat) and they seem like they could handle the task. This isn’t like the secular world, where it would require a series of interviews and reference checks before making an offer.
Thankfully, in any ward or branch people are working under priesthood keys held by a quorum president (i.e. bishop, stake president). Special inspiration comes through these keys and it is remarkable to see the right people chosen for the right callings. Of course, this isn’t always the case since humans are involved in the process.
It is beneficial to compare the more secular hiring process with the church calling process because though they are different in their approach many of the same mistakes can be made.
Compromise on experience; don’t compromise on character
Seek out “talent that whispers”
Take a moment to analyze the process you go through to determine who is a “valid candidate”. It doesn’t matter which calling you are trying to fill because the process is most likely similar. Choosing an auxiliary leader may feel like a can’t-make-a-mistake decision since so much responsibility comes with the call.
Whether looking for a new CFO for a company or seeking a new gospel doctrine instructor for a ward—the reality is, people are often overlooked for silly reasons. It is easier to call someone to a certain position that you know will not make a mistake, rather than having to release someone later who has created a disaster. However, sticking with the “safe choice” sometimes makes you miss the “extraordinary choice”.
Ask “What can go right?”
Yes, you are right! There are a million reasons why Brother Snorezenclass shouldn’t be the next high priest group leader. He wears a pocket-protector, has hair coming out his ears, and doesn’t quite know how to use a typewriter—let alone a computer. Instead of making a list of reasons why he probably wouldn’t be a good fit, force yourself to ask what could go right?
Draw out the “hidden truths” of each calling
An Elder’s Quorum President isn’t someone that is really good at organizing home teaching routes. A compassionate service leader isn’t someone that makes a mean chicken casserole. Often times, we see a relief society that needs a sincere individual that can love, and we default to the individual who has done the calling before and is most organized. Over time we create misconceptions about church callings which leads us to choosing someone that won’t produce the desired outcome.
The church handbooks give us basic job descriptions about various callings. These descriptions are not overly specific because they are written for a very diverse international church. It may be helpful to determine focus points for each calling to really understand what that calling fulfills for your ward.
Thank goodness for inspiration
There is no set of secrets that will produce the perfect call every time. Individuals within a ward need to be somewhat active, worthy, and not to mention willing to serve. There are many things to consider when trying to make the best decision for a calling. LDS leaders are taught “a person must be called of God to serve in the Church…seek the guidance of the Spirit in determining whom to call. They consider the worthiness that may be required for the calling.” (Handbook 2 19.1.1) The reality is, we should do our best to follow the will of the Lord and seek his guidance through prayer. By being sincere in the process and making the best decision possible you won’t make any BIG mistakes. It will all work out as it should in the end by choosing individuals that will grow from the sacrifices they are asked to bear.
Very good post. Thanks for sharing. I'm the RS president in a branch with about 15 fully active women. Talk about challenging! But I can testify that this is the Lord's church and HE guides it and us if we will let him.
As a young bishop I often keep reminding myself how much I don't know. The church dosen't run like a buisnesss. It's usally not the same person who would get the job in the secular world than would get the calling in the ward. The church is about progression, and becoming. Usually right when you figure out how to accomplish the calling is when it's time to get released. When you find yourself in a meeting saying, "Why can't they just ______," you need to remember this is why they were called (most likely). So they can learn HOW to do it.
I find that too often in the church we expect people to "figure out how" yet without training or a guiding hand there are literally dozens of frustrated people performing callings that don't know how. And yes, we hope that they will find humility and ask for help or seek out training on the church's website. It's just sad at how little direction is given towards thissite and towards those who could offer some assistance, knowing that inevitably it is up to that person to receive inspiration and do what is best. However… As my mission president used to say, often we receive information then inspiration.
My recent post Sneaky Fine Motors: Table Time
I have a question about church callings. I am the executive secretary in a small ward and I wanted to know how things are done in bishopric generally speaking.
Let’s say we need to call a new primary president because the actual one is moving out of the ward.
What is the process ? What I have seen (and I live outside the US) is the bishopric discuss names of the sisters, their experience, their actual calling(s), etc. Then a choice is made out of the conversation and of our minds using kind of a funnel process. It’s a choice of men, inspired men. Then we pray (bishopric + clerk + myself) in order to see if our decision is approved of God.
What bothers me is that most of the time I believe that if we had prayed for someone else, the Lord would also have agreed (as long as the person is worthy). Is that right ? Is this how it’s done everywhere ? including when they chose a 70 or an apostle ?
Thanks for your views on that.
Joel,
I am so glad you posted this question. Ironically, I am researching a post for Leading Saints that discusses that exact concept.
Stay tuned….
I had the privilege of attending the 2010 Priesthood Session of conference where Elder Rasband gave this talk and shared his experience with Pres Eyring. He talks about how he didn’t think he was entitled to know which Mission to assign a Sister or Elder but Pres Eyring told him we could all know if we listen carefully.
As a Ward Clerk or Exec Sec you have the opportunity to participate in the prayer circle with the Bishopric, this is a valuable training experience in which you can learn to discern and fine tune your thoughts and mind so that they are aligned with the Priesthood Keys the Bishop holds.
I hope this helps a little.
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/04/the-divine-call-of-a-missionary?lang=eng
Thanks for this post, two years later. I am a YWs president of a small ward. I called a camp director, only knowing a handful of things about her, she did a beautiful job. I learned of her sacrifices as I got to know her, I was humbled by her desire to serve and her families dedication to the Lord. So thanks for the very last sentence of this post. It really hit home! Not only am did she grow, but I did as well.
Joel, don’t overlook the fact that bishopric meetings are conducted under “the spirit of prayer”. All 5 of you may be the recipients of inspiration, even if you are thinking “as men”. In fact, the model you present is the same model the Lord taught Oliver Cowdery in Doctrine and Covenants 9:7-9. After having “thought it in your mind”, if you have a good feeling about a candidate, move forward. If you don’t get that feeling, present another candidate, until you do. This may happen in 10 minutes, or over a month. But if you look for the Lord’s will sincerily, He will manifest it to you, though in His own time.