Meeting overload

[JustMe]

So, I accepted a position as EQP in our ward, and I love the people aspect of it – I love the opportunity to serve.

What I am having difficulty with is the amount and duration of Sunday meetings that I am required to attend. I like many of you, (and less than bishoprics of course) am at church from 9:30am until 4pm or so….I work a lot during the week, and really feel that I should be with my family a lot more, especially on Sundays. I feel like if I ever am asked to be in a bishopric (was in bishopric as well a few years ago) or stake calling again I just might have to decline due to the demands on time and family…doesn’t it seem backwards- that our church should allow people to be better members of their family by being there…not by taking them away on Sundays?

I honestly feel that the majority of what is covered in much of these meetings could be communicated in about 10 minutes…and I am having a hard time seeing my precious time waste away in inefficient discussions… I feel like this is how it is just about anywhere in the world in the church…it is the leadership culture in our organizations…so I am hard pressed to feel like I can solve this or change the way things are done…

Does anyone else feel this way? What can be done to make better use of our times in our leadership meetings?

[Old-Timer]

Rotate the meetings among the members of the presidency, and only require one person from the presidency to attend any given meeting outside your own presidency meetings. Call it leadership development, which it legitimately is.

Do a lot via modern technology. Use an invitation only Facebook group for your presidency stuff – or Skype (since it’s free) – and email, since much of what is covered in traditional meetings is informational only. Shorten the meetings you still attend by communicating as much as possible via the methods above.

Don’t attend meetings if there is a direct conflict with an important family activity. Simply tell anyone who asks that you need to spend that time with your family, since the Church leadership has said your family is your most important responsibility.

As I’ve said in other threads, when someone calls you they get YOU. Do your best according to the dictates of your own conscience. “Do what is right; let the consequence follow.”

[Thoreau]

Curious, you’re the Elders Quorum President (implies you’re an elder) and you’ve been in a bishopric (implies you’re a high priest). Maybe you’ve been a clerk or executive secretary.

Your question. Delegate what you can. Use agendas and stick to them. Suggest agendas are used in PEC and ward council. Don’t have a meeting just to have a meeting. Don’t waste others’ time and don’t allow yours to be wasted.

[mom3]

Congratulations Thoreau –

In response to your comment about a church that encourages family – I find one of my biggest thorns is the increase in meetings we have. I was 17 when the present “3 hour block” schedule came to pass. When the church changed to it – all of the other meetings during the week were permanently cancelled. Everything was to be completed on Sunday, leaving the rest of the week for family, etc. This was drummed into members in the area I grew up in.

Now some 30 years later, we not only filled in the week, we added to Sundays – so yes suddenly leaders in your position are swamped. I commented on this to my bishop the other day. He looked at me like I was nuts. He said – that had never been the plan. This is one area where I would love to research the original letters that were sent out church wide and get clarification on.

I would love to couple those letters with Elder Uchtdorfs admonition about the busyness of life that he just made this past conference – and then ask – What?

I agree with everyone’s suggestions about handling this. You’ll figure it.

[Old-Timer]

Yes, when the meetings were consolidated to the 3-hour block from the two-trips-to-the-church schedule, it was stated explicitly that it was to provide more time for members to spend with their families on Sunday and reduce the time spent traveling to and being at church each Sunday.

No, the weekday meetings weren’t cancelled – at least, not the weekly youth and Relief Society meetings, but the Relief Society meetings were changed years ago (at least 20-25 years ago, I believe) to be held monthly instead of weekly.

[mom3]

Ray – According to my mom who was the Stake YW President at the time of the change – the original intent had cancelled all mid week meetings. When Stake and local leaders heard that they cried foul. When the General Presidencies visited in area trainings the Stake leaders gave them an ear full, explaining that completely cancelling the meetings would be detrimental, that we needed socialization and non-religious nourishment. During the meetings the General Presidencies stood firm in the position that “the Lord wanted it this way”. However a month or so later, the letters were changed and those two areas were re established.

My mom is a stalwart member but she has always worn a badge of honor for her part in effecting change in a global church. She was one of the vocal Stake leaders. I guess I get my spine from her.

[JustMe]

Thanks everyone…excellent idea to rotate meetings and delegate!! That will help a ton.

Thoreau – yep, clerk before.

[turinturambar]

Meetings for the sake of meetings! Butt in the seat time! Some personality types loooove this stuff!

But seriously. I agree with the others. Delegate. There is no reason for you to be at Ward Council every time…rotate with your counselors. Use email for business, and only meet with your counselors when necessary. (A little secret…our EQP meets during Sunday School!)

I agree with Ray–when they called you, they got you. There are some sacrifices that have to be made with callings, but I think a lot of stuff can be eliminated with better organization and smart use of current technology.

If it were up to me, church would be 90 minutes. 👿

[turinturambar]

Quote:

And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

(New Testament | 1 Corinthians 13:2‎)‎

And though I sit through hours and hours of meetings every Sunday, and have not charity, I am nothing.

[rebeccad]

I can only sympathize.

I was in a stake once where the SP launched a war on meetings.

No meetings on fast sundays, all meetings were significantly pared down and shortened.

It was wonderful.

The worst is auxiliary presidency meetings during the week. If the members of the presidency don’t work, they can last forever, doing nothing. I have been to several 3 hour long meetings, sometimes these are weekly.

[Cadence]

Then quit. Or just tell them you are not going to attend all the meetings. I just find it strange how the church continues to make us do things we dislike especially when no real good comes out of it.

[Old-Timer]

Tradition!!! Tradition! (he sings in his best “Fiddler on the Roof” impression)

[Author]

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