Sorry, I realize this is way off the current topic, but I didn’t want it to slide by.

And the one-sidedness of the list makes it feel sexist in this context because (in Mormonism) the only people authorized to make these “bad-employee” judgments are male.

No. Callings may be extended by a bishop, but many calling decisions are made by women in the organizations they preside over: RS, Primary, YW.

So, based on the post, church callings are a lot like secular jobs.

That is exactly what I was thinking when I first read this post. This is a good list, but I would say that it’s hardly Mormon-specific — all of these can be phrased to relate to an ordinary workplace.

The one downside of the list is the one-sidedness. Yes, there are a lot of dysfunctional employee-types, but there are also a lot of dysfunctional boss-types. And the one-sidedness of the list makes it feel sexist in this context because (in Mormonism) the only people authorized to make these “bad-employee” judgments are male.

Ultimately, in a secular job, if you have an irreconcilable problem with your boss, at least you can quit!! In a Mormon ward, well, I guess you just have to suck it up…

I’ve never said no to a calling but there are probably a couple I should have. Looking back, I wasn’t able to do a very good job and if I had been honest with eveyone, maybe someone else would have been called that would have been better.

Isn’t it “right” simply by virtue of the fact that you have been called to serve others?

Yes! And that’s why I can’t seem to wrap my head around discussions (like you mentioned that seem to be found everywhere) where people are constantly refusing to accept callings. I think it combines what I said about blessing our own lives, and with what you said, about blessing those we will serve. It’s a combo and –to me –a perfect package (and another reason a lay clergy totally rocks).

It’s easy to lose sight of that when we second guess callings. We forget that, first and foremost, stuff just needs to get done.

I’ve had several leaders and teachers that have helped me and inspired my life –but I’m betting they learned and grew from that experience 10 times more than I did.

Cheryl,
I disagree. I think that’s an added benefit, but not the important part. It makes me uncomfortable to think that my service is about me. In fact, that’s what makes me so uncomfortable in these discussions about callings is that everyone talks so much about how callings are good for them or not right for them or whatever and rarely does anyone mention those who are being served. I don’t serve so that I can benefit, I serve so that whomever I serve can benefit. Wouldn’t it be awesome if everyone spoke of their calling in terms of the recipient of the service rather than its effect on their own lives?

”callings are based on more practical issues and not necessarily a reflection of our standing in the eternities. “

CJ,
I completely agree with you if by “practical” you mean “the best way by which people can be served.” My feeling is that our eternal standing is a reflection of the kind of person we have become, not whether we’ve figured out how to manage the home teaching numbers effectively.