many are called/chosen but few are chosen/called

[_subgenius]

In an effort to contribute to this forum i post the following:

Currently i serve as the Elders Quorum President at my ward. This is a calling that i pleased to serve in and i have enjoyed my tenure thus far. It has not been without challenges. The highs are high and the lows are most certainly low. A particular challenge has been the focus of many of my thoughts and prayers as of late.
The 1st counselor to the Bishop (noted hereafter as "C") and myself often have conflicting decisions about any given situation with the peculiars and particulars of ward administration. Mostly these are easily resolved and often they are resulting from a personality difference rather than soome deeper spiritual conflict. However, an event has recently occurred which highlights the fallibility of men and has wrought upon me a conflict. This conflict is accentuated by the recent lesson we had in EQ about "sustaining those who the Lord sustains". I understand that our church organization is not democratic per se, but rather, it is theocratic.
That being said I have recently had to make a change in my EQ presidency by releasing one of my counselors. Obviously I had to pray and consider for a replacement counselor. A particular brother "A" came to mind and i discussed it with the EQ presidency and then petitioned the Bishop for his counsel. He stated that he would take it to counsel with the Bishopric - which i knew would involve "C", as "C" is predominatley invovled with most "ward" callings. Then after a recent PEC, "C" came up to me to discuss how resolved I was with the EQP situation described above - and he suggested another brother "D" for the calling and made the remark " well "D" needs a calling".
Now, i have affirmed this recommendation with the Bishop and expressed my concern over how "D" was considered for this call.
Subsequently, in recognition of the toll that not having a 3rd member of the Presidency was taking on myself and the remaining counselor i stated that if the Bishop would "make something happen" i would agree to the calling of "D", whom i hold in just as high of regard as "A".
So, i have been praying and studying this situation for an accurate discernment. Currently i am conflicted between the notion that i should "sustain" the Bishopric without question or that i should further impress upon them that my revealed choice for "A" is equally, if not more, valid than their counsel.

Any comments will be appreciated, thank you

[_Drifting]

subgenius,

(and I'm not being my usual flippant self here)

If you were to assume that inspiration from God isn't playing a material part of the selection process whom would you appoint?

The reason I ask this is because you have no way of identifying whether God is inspiring you or the Counsellor as you are getting conflicting signals. You will both believe He is inspiring you and not the other.

If inspiration from God is playing a part then you are forced to consider that;
-God gives conflicting messages as a test.
-It is impossible to be clear about whether a message is from God or not.
-Personal inspiration can Trump a Leaders inspiration or visa versa.

Inspiration seems only to serve to muddy the waters of decision making.

[_sheryl]

In an effort to contribute to this forum i post the following:

Currently i serve as the Elders Quorum President at my ward. This is a calling that i pleased to serve in and i have enjoyed my tenure thus far. It has not been without challenges. The highs are high and the lows are most certainly low. A particular challenge has been the focus of many of my thoughts and prayers as of late.
The 1st counselor to the Bishop (noted hereafter as "C") and myself often have conflicting decisions about any given situation with the peculiars and particulars of ward administration. Mostly these are easily resolved and often they are resulting from a personality difference rather than soome deeper spiritual conflict. However, an event has recently occurred which highlights the fallibility of men and has wrought upon me a conflict. This conflict is accentuated by the recent lesson we had in EQ about "sustaining those who the Lord sustains". I understand that our church organization is not democratic per se, but rather, it is theocratic.
That being said I have recently had to make a change in my EQ presidency by releasing one of my counselors. Obviously I had to pray and consider for a replacement counselor. A particular brother "A" came to mind and i discussed it with the EQ presidency and then petitioned the Bishop for his counsel. He stated that he would take it to counsel with the Bishopric - which i knew would involve "C", as "C" is predominatley invovled with most "ward" callings. Then after a recent PEC, "C" came up to me to discuss how resolved I was with the EQP situation described above - and he suggested another brother "D" for the calling and made the remark " well "D" needs a calling".
Now, i have affirmed this recommendation with the Bishop and expressed my concern over how "D" was considered for this call.
Subsequently, in recognition of the toll that not having a 3rd member of the Presidency was taking on myself and the remaining counselor i stated that if the Bishop would "make something happen" i would agree to the calling of "D", whom i hold in just as high of regard as "A".
So, i have been praying and studying this situation for an accurate discernment. Currently i am conflicted between the notion that i should "sustain" the Bishopric without question or that i should further impress upon them that my revealed choice for "A" is equally, if not more, valid than their counsel.

Any comments will be appreciated, thank you

Shalom subgenius,

In such situations for myself, taking this before God with no preference has invoked helpful guidance.

If we come before God in a poverty of spirit state - assuming both inspirations come from individuals who are equally blind, we become open to hearing God's guidance. But we have to leave the thought of someone being right and someone being wrong outside and be open to hearing which choice will best serve God's plan.

Usually, our choices serve us, but God's choices serve all.

Just as a point of reference, in a Wisdom tradition, one like my own, our Tau let's God make the choices, in other words, the choice of who will take such position is dependent upon how God is moving in a person's life. When God makes a calling, the Holy Spirit will move heavily in a person and in their life, gifts or abilities opening up in the person, and things in their life shifting (pruning might be going on, significant changes to make the person more open and receptive to the new gifts coming to fulfill new responsibilities).

Usually right before a major calling, there will be a major move or crisis, trial, in the person's life. A pruning. And there will evidence of spiritual gifts being given, or opening up.

In other words, when God makes a calling, for those watching, it is as though God is pointing at them, saying look here look here! And we never only have one position. God decides who the leaders, and who the prophets, apostles will be and how many.

Thus if two are called by God, we would conclude that there are two positions open.


Shalom!

Sheryl

[_subgenius]

subgenius,

(and I'm not being my usual flippant self here)

well that is a shame

If you were to assume that inspiration from God isn't playing a material part of the selection process whom would you appoint?

to be honest either one would serve well....however "A" is 9 months away from child #4 and "D" just had child #2 about 2 weeks ago.
But since this episode, i have been second guessing "A".

The reason I ask this is because you have no way of identifying whether God is inspiring you or the Counsellor as you are getting conflicting signals. You will both believe He is inspiring you and not the other.

but i believe the issue is that I was, in fact, the only one who sought inspiration...."C" made his recommendation with the qualifier of "He needs a calling"...nothing more. I was of the opinion that the Bishopric's opinion was not sought out by prayer and study, but by preference and consideration.
Otherwise you would have a valid point...but....it could be resolved, either by further investigation and prayer...or....by yielding to the idea of "sustain", at which case the theocratic hierarchy would have an influence (but i am an EQP, which is a stake appointment and i do not necessarily "answer" to the Bishopric - but they can influence my release as well).

If inspiration from God is playing a part then you are forced to consider that;
-God gives conflicting messages as a test.

not unreasonable

-It is impossible to be clear about whether a message is from God or not.

arguable...i think it is possible

-Personal inspiration can Trump a Leaders inspiration or visa versa.

the idea of sustaining would seem to apply here, at which case the hierarchy apparent in the theocracy would justify deferring to a "superior".

Inspiration seems only to serve to muddy the waters of decision making.

I gave an EQP 1st sunday lesson about "inspired decision making" from the duties/blessings manual.
It was fairly clear and straightforward
The steps were:
0. Identify the problem
1. Pray for discernment and inspiration
2. Study the situation
3. Make the decision
4. Pray for confirmation
5. Take action

[_Buffalo]

Polls still aren't working for me.

[_subgenius]

Polls still aren't working for me.

not for me either, ahh the irony

[_Yoda]

I just tried to fix the poll feature, and it is still not working properly. I will report this to Shades.

[_bcspace]

Did not use the poll yet because of the stated problems. But I have or am serving in "Stake Authority", Bishopric, EQP, and Other (GD Teacher, YM/Scout callings of various sorts, Youth Sunday School Teacher, Primary Teacher, Mission preparation, Temple preparation, Returned Missionary, WML, etc.). Multiple times on several of those.

[_Inconceivable]

..I have or am serving in "Stake Authority", Bishopric, EQP, and Other (GD Teacher, YM/Scout callings of various sorts, Youth Sunday School Teacher, Primary Teacher, Mission preparation, Temple preparation, Returned Missionary, WML, etc.). Multiple times on several of those.

toot. toot. Who hasn't been saddled with every one of these so-called callings if they live long enough?

It's really a shame that it's always been more about what "calling" you have/had than what you actually did with the stewardship given - as if a more prestigeous "calling" equated to greater spirituallity/personal relationship to deity. Yak. We'll put you on the waiting list to be seated at the head of the table, BC. Lot's of Mormons ahead of you already though.

Subgenius,

It doesn't matter that you think you're inspired. Obviously they don't think so. When the hierarchy (even the bishop or his counselors) tells a lowly EQP who they intend to choose as his counselor, your job is to shut up and get back behind (under) the tail.

But you know this is how it works. So why the polls? You'll never be able to do anything about it. The rules are in the Handbook.

[_Drifting]

subgenius,

(and I'm not being my usual flippant self here)

well that is a shame

Don't worry, my unflippancy usually doesn't last long...

I gave an EQP 1st sunday lesson about "inspired decision making" from the duties/blessings manual.
It was fairly clear and straightforward
The steps were:
0. Identify the problem
1. Pray for discernment and inspiration
2. Study the situation
3. Make the decision
4. Pray for confirmation
5. Take action

What did your lesson conclude was the course of action in the event of two people in the chain of command being inspired differently?

I know it is usual to defer to the one with the most stripes (highest Priesthood Office) but as you rightly point out, EQ is a Stake appointment, not a Ward appointment.

Perhaps it may be worth involving the relevant High Counsellor to help decide the outcome in a kind of 'best of three' type way. So he goes away and prays about the two names and comes back with who God tells him should be appointed.
The downside to this is either you or the Bishopric member is going to feel slighted.