tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257730030776318662.post7875479478716308999..comments2016-08-15T08:37:59.885-04:00Comments on Uncommon Dissent: Uninformed Inspiration: Recruiting Volunteers at ChurchBenjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08834054311958455399noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257730030776318662.post-20143515666907740122013-02-25T11:34:47.569-05:002013-02-25T11:34:47.569-05:00Being a convert, I've dealt with several times...Being a convert, I've dealt with several times when I wanted to decline a calling but felt that I was pressured into accepting because I joined the church that only has lay people work in the church. In many other Christian churches, you volunteer for positions. I for one love working with high school and middle school youth and did so for 6+ years before becoming LDS. Since then, not one calling having to do with that age, only nursery, primary or RS (and I really am not cut out for working with the young kids - one reason I enjoy working outside the house :)Heather Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16242972028497580960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257730030776318662.post-41221333963282731232013-02-25T11:03:21.285-05:002013-02-25T11:03:21.285-05:00Hi Ben. Wanted to add a comment here...
I don...Hi Ben. Wanted to add a comment here...<br /><br />I don't think we in the church understand revelation very well. We have this idealistic, narrow way of conceptualizing and experiencing it. Like it comes from a magic 8 ball that says yes or no. Or Like a+b must equal c. And if it doesn't, we'll make it equal c through our somewhat good intentioned insistence. Like if I felt it, it must be right for you! And if you don't agree, you must be faithless. (How many guys tried to win a girl at BYU like this?)<br /><br />I think broadening our view of revelation, God's will, and duty could help. What if we sought, in addition to simply matching a person with task, guidance on how to approach a person or any given individual situation. And then act accordingly on a case by case basis. Perhaps there are times when one person is "supposed to be" in that calling at this time. But I'd love it if we could differentiate those times with the "I just need a warm body. Will you help?" I'll tell you this, I'd trust bishops a whole lot more if I saw less judginess and guilt, and more wisdom filled invitations. <br /><br />In response to the "never say no" mentality, I think the church has tried to break it..... or at least modify it. After all, we come by this paradigm honestly. With so many pioneer ancestors who left it all, gave it all...and with so much heralding of this over the pulpit, what else are we suppose to do? But I think that we are learning that this kind of devotion, while essential to the early church, may not serve us the same way now. As with all revelation (and practice & policy), it's suppose to be appropriate for the time, place, and needful purposes of any given "now". <br /><br />I believe we need more balance and regulation about how, when, and why we serve. We need this because so many of the challenges we face today are so individual. The early pioneers were literally building and saving the whole. We today, I think, are so often saving the one.....lots of "ones" simultaneously. What I am trying to say is that we serve best, grow best, love best when we are in balance and when it's ok to balance. I'm not sure we know that it's ok to balance. At least I didn't grow up knowing it was ok. Father himself had to come and coax me out of it.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2257730030776318662.post-21959408930246378782013-02-25T09:45:12.215-05:002013-02-25T09:45:12.215-05:00One of the complications of 'volunteer' le...One of the complications of 'volunteer' leadership, is often lack of communication skills. Many are only carrying on how they have been 'called' to serve. <br /><br />And I believe often callings are inspired only for the purpose of the interview. Sometimes people need to hear that they are being thought of and considered valuable and able. Even if they don't 'accept'. <br /><br />darcyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06130100829705269958noreply@blogger.com