A Mormon Bishop's Guidebook - Advice from the trenches

[chathamsolutions]

Link to a Mormon Bishop's Guidebook - Click HERE   

[Over 50 pages of material] 

Simple tips, written by a recently released Bishop.  One man's attempt to help those who lead. 

 

From the first page:  

"Early in my calling I found myself wishing the church had a handbook, or guide, just for Bishop’s.  Yes, the church has handbooks, and Handbook 1 is for Stake Presidents and Bishop’s.  However, they are designed for a broad worldwide church, designed to help a Bishop in Cape Town, South Africa as well as one in Anchorage, Alaska.  I was looking for more down to earth, rubber meets the road guidance.  

 

I believe I could have been much more effective if I didn’t have to walk the ‘school of hard knocks’ that first year.  A little help would have gone a long way.  I get it, you need to experience many things yourself.  Just a little help though, up front, would have made me more effective and helped me be a better minister early in my service."

 

This was written to help other leaders who could use a little extra guidance during those early months.  

I've heard from Bishops and Stake Presidents all over the world thanking me for the information.  If there's anything you think that should be added, please let me know. 

 

Enjoy!  

 

 

[LeSellers]

Wow!

Not a bishop, but this looks wonderful.

I'll have to bookmark this, just in case I ever get called to serve.

Thanks so much.

Lehi

[chathamsolutions]

Thanks Lehi.  

 

The text can really help 1st and 2nd counselors, Ward Clerks, Executive Secretaries, Elder's Quorum Presidents and High Priest Group Leaders and the Welfare section would help a Relief Society President.  I think the stories in the beginning are good as well.  : )  

[Palerider]

I was very lucky .....first time I was young and dumb....had the handbook and a great stake president and was really close to a former Bishop. Also had a brother who is a Physcologist and lots and lots of prayer. Then the second time I was older and wiser....still didn't know everything but I still had the resources I listed above.

Thanks for sharing it's a good read.

[pam]

I was very lucky .....first time I was young and dumb....had the handbook and a great stake president and was really close to a former Bishop. Also had a brother who is a Physcologist and lots and lots of prayer. Then the second time I was older and wiser....still didn't know everything but I still had the resources I listed above.

Thanks for sharing it's a good read.

 

I've known you since your first time or at least right after your first time, so I might have to think about that wiser part.  

[Palerider]

I've known you since your first time or at least right after your first time, so I might have to think about that wiser part.  

Ouch ........ Lol !!!

[Palerider]

I pray there is no 3rd time .....:)

[Guest LiterateParakeet]

I believe I could have been much more effective if I didn’t have to walk the ‘school of hard knocks’ that first year.  A little help would have gone a long way.  I get it, you need to experience many things yourself.  Just a little help though, up front, would have made me more effective and helped me be a better minister early in my service."

 

 

Sounds fascinating, even for those of us who will never be a Bishop.  :)

 

This part I quoted made me smile....it seems that everyone hopes for a little something more, from the Lord and from His chuch...Singles wish there were more directed to them, abuse survivors wish for more counsel for them, I could go on and on (but some them might cause a thread hijack  :) ).   My point is simply that I have been pondering this very thing lately...and trying to learn to accept those things which the Lord makes us search harder for.  

This Bishop might have wished for more, but if it had been there, perhaps he..and his ward...may have missed out on some growth experiences.  After all, being disappointed by your Bishop can be an experience that brings you closer to the Lord if you allow it to do so.  And I would guess that as a Bishop the worry that you are somehow less than what you ward needs, is something that will drive you to your knees...

 

So while we may wish...

[cdowis]

I shared this with a friend in the church, and he wrote me back:

 

Thank you.  I read the Guidebook and had thoughts about how to address someone in my personal ministry.  It's a matter with which I have struggled.  I'm not sure what precisely in the Guidebook triggered the thoughts, but they came while considering this brother's experiences.   Thank you for following the prompting to share this material with me.  

[chathamsolutions]

AWESOME!  Thank you cdowis for sharing this with your friend.  This is exactly what I was hoping for.   :)

[cdowis]

I sent it to a High Counselor in my stake.  They interact directly with the bishops and I think they would be interested in his ideas, especially for a new bishop or in stake priesthood leadership meetings.