Where's the logic in this calling?

[Backroads]

This incident happened at the end of work yesterday, and I'm still flummoxed by it.

This old guy comes into my office with his wife, practically in tears. He has been given a new calling: Advancements chairman for Cubscouts. His job is to enter all the kids' advancements into the computer and then buy the awards. Part #2 of this job is no big deal.

But as for the first part, with the computer...

Not only is this man well past the computer generation, he is eyeshades-and-walking stick BLIND.

He wasn't aware a computer was involved and he doesn't think his ward was aware of it, either. He feels like he is not able to do his calling correctly because all he can personally do is order awards and make his wife or someone else do the computer work.

I like to imagine that many callings are truly inspiried, but I also feel that there are plenty of times when someone is pretty much just selected without too much thought involved.

I'm sure many people would be willing to help him out and I myself sat down and ran the computer program for him, but I can't get over of what a strange calling that is for a blind man.

[Guest]

He just needs to talk to his bishop about it. Some calls are inspired, I don't believe all are. Nor are bishops all-knowing.

[applepansy]

I agree with Eowyn. The Bishop might have thought paperwork was all that was involved. Not all Bishop's are up-to-date in our computer world.

In our ward our Bishop is. And so those who are not computer literate don't have out what is happening in the ward until its over.

[Backroads]

He just needs to talk to his bishop about it. Some calls are inspired, I don't believe all are. Nor are bishops all-knowing.

When we were chatting, he wondered if he couldn't get the bishop to give him an official partner. He seemed like the sort of man who enjoyed having a calling. Just wants one he can do.

[RMGuy]

I'll refer you to the classic and perhaps apocryphal quote by none other than J. Golden Kimball. To paraphrase: There are four great 'tions' by which individuals are called to positions in this great church, inspiration, revelation, desperation, and relation. Perhaps this is one of the latter as opposed to the former.

-RM

[BadWolf]

Does it make sense? Only if there's a youngster (or heck, not so young, but thinking maybe a techie cubscout who could use some guidance) who could use a mentor... or if this member really needs companionship. Since he's incapable of doing it on his own, either an excuse to get him near someone who needs him (under the auspices of being needed themselves), or get someone else near him, under the auspices of being needed.

Or to prompt the ward into getting Braille & Voice Command Software... So he learns how to start interfacing, or the next blind member isn't left without, or investigator is folded in.

But Im ADHD. I see patterns where none exist.

[NeuroTypical]

This old guy comes into my office with his wife,

Does that mean we'll probably never know the logic behind the calling?

If you see either of them again, I trust you'll ask them for an update and let us all know.

[Backroads]

Does that mean we'll probably never know the logic behind the calling?

If you see either of them again, I trust you'll ask them for an update and let us all know.

Yes, I shall give you an update if I see him again.

[Shortstuff]

I think the majority of callings are made to fill spots or given to people so they can have a calling and something to do in the ward. I've always been in primary. I think it's because I'm one of the few who's willing to do it. But when I was 18 I was called as a "greeter". I'm almost positive it's a calling they only give out when they don't have enough to go around. Despite that I still feel bad that I turned it down. I was shy back then.

[mordorbund]

...

He wasn't aware a computer was involved and he doesn't think his ward was aware of it, either. He feels like he is not able to do his calling correctly because all he can personally do is order awards and make his wife or someone else do the computer work.

...

The bolded sounds like a good measure. When my wife gets a calling, I typically raise my hand to sustain her on Sunday, and roll up my sleeves to sustain her on Wednesday (and it is usually the same deal for her with my callings). If he feels that this system is too taxing, then as others mentioned he can counsel with the Bishop about his concerns and solutions.