The hallway class

Some people are out there to socialize and some are there because of issues. It’s pretty easy in our ward to tell who is who. Remember you’re a volunteer and your there voluntarily. No one can “make” you go to SS or RS. If it’s like our ward there are likely some people sitting in their cars as well. They do this to avoid others harassing them.

I understand your wants, and I think others here struggle with these same things. I have spent many years wanting some aspects of church doctrine to actually be true, but alas the only conclusion I can come to based on experience is that they are not. I am at the point where I can get past that, but I still wish some of that were true. Please don’t blow this out of proportion, I do believe most of what the church teaches, but there are a few things that I no longer believe. Pres. Uchtdorf’s talk has been important to me in getting to the point I’m at.

“Don’t blow this out of proportion.”

This.

It hurts to know that the hallway class is the only good option for some people in some wards, and I hope it changes for you at some point.

DarkJedi,Where can I find this talk? Im like you.I believe a lot but there are some things I don’t believe in anymore.Like I said .Lifetime experiences changed a lot for me.

Here you go: http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/come-join-with-us” class=”bbcode_url”>http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/come-join-with-us

You might want to share a copy with your bishopric in case they missed it…. (The good part is down the page a bit.)

When I was SSPres I got heat from the PEC and Ward Council to clean out the hallway and get folks to class. My personal read was let them hang out, at least they’re here. That strategy didn’t sell. We wound up “calling” people to attend family history and gospel essentials class. A member of rhe bishopric would call you in, extend the calling, send you down the hall. Nobody ever was set apart but the call was presented as a “real calling”. This is how we populated the Family History, Relations and Gospel Essentials…

Unfortunately assigning members creates a class full of folks who don’t want to be there…things didn’t work out and now our Bishopric understands this is a losing strategy.

I was actually in the meeting where we discussed the fact that my wife wasn’t attending SS or RS and “solved” it by calling her to the library so she could be there and her attendance could be counted. If someone misses every meeting during a mouth their name has to go on that auxiliaries report that goes to the stake. When I was EQP I realized that there were savvy Elders who would attend the first meeting of one month and than the last Sunday of the next–thus keeping themselves under the radar. And clear of class for a six week run.

I now realize that folks in the hallway attend for an important reason: fellowship. Potentially uncomfortable in classes they find like minded folks in the hallway and enjoy fellowship there.

So they actually take attendance in PH, RS and SS? I know I’ve been out for awhile, but I’m not aware of attendance ever being taken in my ward other than the SM count (which we like to inflate as much as possible for budgetary purposes, hence the guy counts several times, including at the end and in the halls and uses the highest number).

Not taking roll isn’t an option.

Ya there are different reasons. I understand them. They are legitimate. However the higher ups don’t see it that way. My calling has me marking people down who skip or don’t attend other classes. I don’t like it but I don’t want friction so I just let them know it’s my job and it’s really non of my or their business but it’s my job. If you don’t know already, part of the “rescue” program is collecting names of people that are not attending every class and presenting it to the bishop/high counsel. This includes all 3 class and your attendance.

So you will be on a roll sheet and marked as someone to keep track of if you do hallways for any class segment.

Not sure if it happening everywhere but I was told its part of the “rescue” program.

I’m at odds with this and feel immensely uncomfortable with it as does my spirit.

1 about once a month I usually end of crying inside which goes to full blown tears walking home, not at what people believe but because of how they act and programs that I know that have hurt people including myself get constantly pounded as if for your benefit. News flash, if it helps the person great, if it doesn’t, do not proceed with it. It’s flat out wrong to do so.

I have not been a part of the hallway pass ever. But I may join it if the constant praising of men, obedience, and we know better then you for yourself attitude and micromanaging isn’t dismissed soon. I can’t always fight back the tears on class sooner or later their will be conflict if I stay too long.

I will be joining the hall pass soon as a person that keeps track of them and other non attendees and skippers. Maybe I will find someone to finally talk and relate to. Who knows?’

FC, the handbook says clearly that the only meeting “required” to attend in order to be considered an active member is Sacrament Meeting, and the report is monthly attendance. That’s largely so the numbers are consistent across the Church, take into account schedules that don’t allow weekly attendance and are not subject to measures like you describe. Anyone who pressures members to attend more than Sacrament Meeting is going beyond the directives in the handbook – but, unfortunately, we all know that people tend to equate more with better – and people want to be better and “help” others be better – and too few people really understand, “NO power or influence ought to be maintained by virtue of the Priesthood.”

The word is “no” power, not “some power when you feel you are helping someone”.

/end of rant