Here's a clip from the NY Times about single pastors having trouble getting a job.

Mr. Almlie, 37, has been shocked, he says, at what he calls unfair discrimination, based mainly on irrational fears: that a single pastor cannot counsel a mostly married flock, that he might sow turmoil by flirting with a church member, or that he might be gay.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/22/us/22pastor.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha23

That made me think that in my 40 years of Mormonism, I never had a single bishop; and I moved around a lot and was in a lot of wards.

They were all married, and they had kids. I think all of the EQ pres were married too.

What is your experience? Do bishops have to be married to be a serious contender?

Nope. I knew two widows that were Bishops.

Ron

Edited because I was being a jackass...



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 03/22/2011 10:12AM by jon.

"widowERS". LOL I get it.

A bishop must be married and a high priest (he can be ordained to HP after call is made).

Not to seem like a total ass for looking like I'm sandbagging ExMormonRon - a widower can be bishop b/c he had been married (and probably in the temple)

As I always understood it a bishop had to be temple married.

I think there's also something about them having only 1 wife. I don't think the polygs in Utah in the 1800 and early 1900's obeyed that.

I immedietely think of Bishop Snow that wanted a young girl for his polygamous harem and had her unmarried suitor castrated.

...if they become widowed while serving, they are not automatically released.

I'm quite sure that is current policy.

No, you don't have to be dumb either, but it helps...

I don't have the definative answer, but I do remember having a Bishop (one we actually liked) who's wife got caught banging a High Councilman, and the Bishop was released right after that. I asked his son why, and he replied with "because he isn't married, anymore." But this is just what a 17 year old told me.

Ahhhh, the blessings of service...

Bishops have to be sealed (whether the wife is alive or not). I don't know about divorced status, but I have never heard of a divorced single bishop.

A branch president can be single and never married.

(not all) require the member have a temple recommend, be married in the temple and be current in their tithes. For some paid positions, like CES Institute directors,mission presidents, for instance, they require that they be debt free except for a couple of exceptions (mortgage, for instance.) There is a long list of requirements.

It's not uncommon for members to pay off their house and dedicate it. I've seen that happen several times in the past.

They are just obeying the NT which says a bisop must be married. Of course I think it says the same thing about deacons too, go figure.

Usually to more than one wife.

Not if you're Catholic. I've even heard it's an impediment.

And what are the callings that don't require marriage (aside from Branch President.)

Is that because Branch's are only quasi wards?

Probably so they can use missionaries to fill the role in areas of the world where they don't yet have local leadership set up. It also expands the pool of potential leaders in a area with very little members.

I know someone who is a high priest, & has been on a high council before, & he's never been married. (I think that was in the previous stake he lived in.) But I think this is an exception because he has an important career, & makes quite a bit of money that brings in a lot of tithing.

bytheway4, you are out of line and very rude.

when heber j grant was president of the church a man in american fork named john pulley was called to be the bishop of his ward. he was 45 and unmarried. the local authorties contact heber to make certain they had called the right man. he told them they had the right man, but to tell him to get married. so he married and had 5 children.

A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach;