| One of the worst task's I have as a bishop is giving out welfare. A new bishop gets a pamphlet and about 6 seconds of training, and whenever an issue is brought up at the stake meetings the final answer is, "follow the spirit". In order to allow the bishop to follow the spirit I will give out these suggestions, I hope you never have to use them, but just in case: 1-Keep communication open. If things are going south let the hometeachers or visiting teachers or the bishop know about it. 2-Don't wait until the crises is dire, if you need medication don't wait until you've swallowed the last pill to go to the bishop. There are certain policies and procedures the bishop has to follow and it generally needs a sunday to get the paperwork in order. 3-Don't run up credit card bills...The church has a very strict policy about NOT paying off consumer debt. 4-don't borrow money from those check cashing places. If you do you are way too stupid to be trusted with any more money! 5-Maintain good relations with your family, the church expects the family to step up first, before the church is to step in. If you hate everyone in the family, or visa versa...it makes it difficult to ask for help and yet some bishops will insist on it. So keep the relationships good in order to get the help you need. 6-Utilize the resources available. Let home teachers into your home and be up front with them. If the ward welfare committee knows about the situation they can come up with some great ideas which may keep you from having to go to the bishop at all. 7 Finally, be humble and teachable. Sometimes these challenges are put before us to bring us down a notch and help us be more teachable. Pride cometh before the fall, and if the pride continues then its very difficult to help out. |
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Bishop's complaint
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
Open communication is huge. It's what separates us from the animals.
I imagine dealing out welfare to some less-active members is like trying to feed a squirrel. You have to scoot up to it very quietly, let it smell you, let it know you're not angry or aggressive. Then gently hold out your hand with the bread crumbs. You reach into your pocket to pull out some more...
And then, ZIP... One move too quick and the squirrel has darted for the trees, never to return. Won't answer the door, won't return phone calls.
Thad, I like your new picture. I don't totally follow your analogy. I believe that church welfare is meant for those who are faithful members of the church. Maybe I'll go to hell for saying it, but I am very suspicious of less-active members who come to the church looking for help.
There are those, that show up once every 6 months, play the game for a couple of weeks until they get their car payment or whatever, then they go away again.
Post a Comment