The power of discernment. One of my cousins is married to a bishop and they have 8 children together. Basically she is like a single mom. She was so relieved when he was finally released from being a bishop. And guess what? 6 or 8 years later he became a bishop for the 2nd time and he is either in his late forties or early fifties.
One of the biggest problems I see in what happened to the victims in this artcle from vice is that bishops don't get enough training to perform all these functions they are suppose to do, guiding youth, counseling marriages, matchmaking, working as employment specialists and mental health advisors and life coaches, and bible scholars. There should be some kind of night classes taught at a university in social work, and theology before becoming a bishop, they also should get paid at least minimum wage.
In most established denominations, being the local church leader (priest, minister, rabbi, bishop, etc.) is considered an occupation worthy of a full-time job with appropriate training and a living wage.
The Mormons yank working men away from their families and give them a handbook instead.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/14/2022 06:53PM by summer.
The claim is that ordination to the Holy Priesthood endows the person with immediate access to the mind and will of God at all times and in all places. Training is superfluous.
I actually had a bishop I worked with say that. He said bishops get no training at all. They call you, set you apart,b shake your hand and wish you good luck.
A guy from the congregation is now thrown into a mine field of sociological chaos and the top church leaders tell the naive members the guys they call are inspired and led by the Lord.
I really try and give bishops a break. It’s the shittiest calling in the church. With no experience and training it’s going to be a pooch screw. One of my nightmares was being called as bishop.
Another thing bishops don’t have is time and some have demanding jobs and run their own businesses. They barley have enough time to attend all the meetings, do the interviews and in wards with poor areas, welfare can be a huge load of work. So you are not a full time cop or counselor. Also bishops get lied to a ton. Members who don’t like other members will say bad stuff. Wards are a real freak show.
Where the church fails is telling people it’s inspired. No. Where the rubber meets the road it’s a bunch of volunteers playing clergy. They aren’t capable of helping people with complicated problems or in matters that would be better handled by a law enforcement agency.
What the church really can do is have church services, perform ordinances, have Sunday School and have some activities. It’s not the best place to go to for advice, counseling, dealing with abuse ect…. The biggest mistake is believing that volunteer playing clergy is inspired from God and has magical powers of discernment. He’s just a guy from the congregation, over his head trying to do the impossible.
You are right that bishops have a lot of duties, little training, and are set up to fail. But as soon as they realize that is the case, they must acknowledge the harm they will inevitably do and therefore step down.