NeedleinA

After years of watching this thread, this is my lame contribution. This is how racism will finally meet it's end. Thanks David Guetta! If this video doesn't make you smile... well heck you are a racist OR European.

In addition to being a Bishop, some Bishops have one other assignment stacked on top of that, kind of like a (Bishop +1). Transient Bishop is one. Agent Bishop is another. Church handbook 22.5.1.3 👍

I feel I did the thread a disservice by using the example of Tithing inside a thread about 'efficiency at Church'. I am already very aware of the widows mite, Timmy's tithing, sacred funds, etc. etc. I should have gone with an easier administration example and dodged such a sensitive subject 😉

I agree with you when it comes to the actual 'ministering' portion of the church's mission. However, when it comes to the repetitive items of 'administering' I'll probably stand my ground that efficiency, is actually a form of ministering to those who would otherwise be stuck in endless hours of administration.

The linchpin in it all.

I literally would trust the advice of my dog's Veterinarian over anything Fauci has to say any longer about Covid or all the super-duper scary variants. His reputation as a serious unbiased non-political health expert swirled down the toilet long ago. I heard a comment, that I'm sure I'll butcher... "If you have to watch the news in order to see panic, destruction, pandemic and death BUT when you look out your own front door, talk with people you know and see and nothing the news says is reflected in real life... something is up with your news source". Fauci has turned into the boy who cries wolf and then says he never did.

Unvaccinated member of the Copperas Cove branch 😉

This is exactly where we find ourselves at right now. We have unit leaders who are asking about the possibilities available to them, so in an effort to help Bishops we are discussing this in various councils/committees. The missing link in the way... is lack of 'immediate' aspect. "immediately as they receive their income"?? Definitely not trying to pick a fight with anyone, but am looking for any concrete specifications/policy if possible. While some Bishops might like the, "Hey its up to you" approach, others would like to know some limitations and guidance.

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Curious @Carborendum @Vort @Just_A_Guy, anyone in your ward not coming back to Church because things going back to normal? Meaning holdouts that are still worried about Coivd?

Curious to see where your ward is as far as Covid, rather the return to normal after Covid. Our Stake back to normal: No masks required. No social distancing No masks or gloves for those passing sacrament trays No cleaning of facilities, covid related Yes, ward activities Yes, singing hymns again Our Stake not back to normal: No drinking fountains Food activities served by a select few Yes, gloves for Priest breaking bread How about your stake?

Each stake has (should have) a Transient Bishop, designed to assist members in your sister's situation. She should contact any Bishop in her area and ask for the transient Bishop's contact info and start there.

Agreed, God's children come first. If God's children can be served and equally served in an efficient manner, why wouldn't we? If not, it appears that the best way to serve God's children is only through inefficiency which seems to make no sense at all. Why don't wards only use one deacon to pass the sacrament each week? Think of the individual sacrifice that young man would be able to offer. Why are missionaries told to reduce door to door tracking? Surely tracking 60hrs a week has to bring forth 'fruit'. Why use a ward bulletin to convey information? Doesn't that deprive individuals from from sharing things one on one with each other? Etc. (some silly examples, I know) I just find it equal silly to associate the hardest, most time consuming and least efficient ways as the only successfully means to serve God and his children.

Is this represented in the Church's Handbook, the need to 'receive offerings immediately' part? If this is the case, should each member go to the Bishop's house, not wait until a Sunday and turn over their money immediately?

My problem, often, is that I focus on the church in the United States and forget many other places around the world. We could reach it in the USA but decades behind for our friends to the south of us.

So... finally the end recipient of tithing funds reveals himself!

Youth night is a great example. People who mail it or drop it off directly at the Bishops house. People who turn it in after the bank run has already taken place. Etc. Less scenario = once a month Customary = every Sunday More scenario = deposit it every time it is received I know Bishops who will call in their Clerk mid-week to make a deposit as though the tithing envelope contains radioactive material OR they might lose it like @NeuroTypical shared, and they need to get rid of it asap. So... which one is right? Which is less efficient or more efficient OR who cares because sacrifice brings forth blessings? Does the Stake offer guidance to their Bishops OR do they let them do their own thing under their individual keys. Some Bishops don't know the correct answer OR what is even a possibility. FYI: In our Stake 80% of our unit leaders have been serving for less than 1 year, most less than 6 months.

Yes Sir, I would. If it makes it even simpler, do it only once a month... on the first Sunday of the month, like Fast Sunday. Will it take a little reminding in the beginning, sure. After a while the ward should remember it just like they do, Fast Sunday. I've tried to find, and perhaps I haven't looked hard enough, a place in the handbook that states that tithing must/should be accepted every Sunday, like most folks are accustomed to. So far I can't find it.

I hear you. In this particular case, after doing several financial audits in various wards the issue above keep manifesting itself. My suggestions were/are for the benefit of the those 'other' brothers who could use "precious family time".

Always find his talks very interesting.

Since we are talking shop for a moment... I understand the sentiment of not losing someone's sacred funds, I do. Church Handbook says: Steps 1. Gathering 2. Opening/Verifying 3. Depositing Deposits are required if the funds are opened and verified. Bishops receive donations time to time that they must hang on to until a later date and members are none the wiser.

With the above ^^^ thought in mind, I offered the alternative suggestion in council. Simply don't collect that often. This way no one can lose those sacred funds. Bishop: "Brothers and sisters, we will only be collecting donations 1st and 3rd Sundays since so many of you have converted to online now."

Is the Lord interested in efficiency? If he is, then his Church should be too... right? I recently had two interesting interactions with members in councils. After I presented what I thought was something efficient and for the benefit of members involved, to my surprise some members of the council stated, "The Lord is not interested in efficiency". I'll share one example. Example: In many of the units in our Stake, tithing has shifted almost exclusively to online donations with the exception of children and one elderly hold out. This means each Sunday at least two priesthood holders are stuck at church doing 'tithing' AND then driving to the nearest bank drop off. Many Sunday's those drop offs consist of <$10 in change, the kind you know is change in the envelope before you even open it. I suggested that unit leaders either offer to collect tithing 2 times a month OR that the Bishop securely holds donations and they count it only twice a month. Why? To allow brethren the opportunity to not stay late, drive 40 minutes round trip and call for rides. These brothers will have already been at church of several hours in other meetings beside block meetings. To my surprise I was met with, "The Lord is not interested in efficiency". Have you ever heard this response before? Have you ever given it, if so, why? One time was weird enough, but it just came up again in another council.

Had to do a double take...oh, now I get it!