You're moving your horsey wrong

[Moliere]

One of the things that often gets lost, IMO, in this type of discussion is that the very fact that the church is so demanding is precisely why it is so integral to so many members' lives. Changing that would leave the church a shadow of itself and changed in a way that would make it of less value to most. It's like owning a sports car and then wishing it had a pick up bed so you could bring home the plywood you need from home depot. If you got your wish you would lose what you had.

I'm not sure I fully agree. Over the past decade the church has become much less demanding, at least in terms of time commitment.

[creekster]

I'm not sure I fully agree. Over the past decade the church has become much less demanding, at least in terms of time commitment.

Really? Kidding aside I haven't noticed that much of a change. But it's not just time, it's ideology, too. Being forced to be a peculiar people, so to speak.

[Portland Ute]

I'm not sure I fully agree. Over the past decade the church has become much less demanding, at least in terms of time commitment.

Maybe creekster is right and that is part of the reason for the exodus that Elder Jensen has mentioned?

[Jeff Lebowski]

Maybe creekster is right and that is part of the reason for the exodus that Elder Jensen has mentioned?

lol.

[Northwestcoug]

I didn't say it was a bad thing. I said it wouldn't be the same thing. but if you want something different, then go join something different.

Certainly the church can change policies, procedures, and governing philosophies, that make it less of a time commitment. It has done so in the past. Does a person who values the church have to wait until a leader changes a policy? Or can a member discuss the things that make him/her less excited about church worship, before someone says leave and go find something different?

[Portland Ute]

I didn't say it was a bad thing. I said it wouldn't be the same thing. but if you want something different, then go join something different.

That's fine and dandy if you are the only member of the church. As has been well stated in this thread, things become much more complicated when all of your loved ones and friends are still "in".

[Jeff Lebowski]

I'm not sure I fully agree. Over the past decade the church has become much less demanding, at least in terms of time commitment.

Can you please elaborate? It seems I have missed a whole bunch of memos.

[Indy Coug]

Can you please elaborate? It seems I have missed a whole bunch of memos.

I think the church has encouraged members to use their time more wisely, limiting the number of and duration of their meetings. Unfortunately, in my experience, it hasn't really changed anything.

[creekster]

lol.

Hey. It Is not THAT funny as I am right once in a while.

[creekster]

Certainly the church can change policies, procedures, and governing philosophies, that make it less of a time commitment. It has done so in the past. Does a person who values the church have to wait until a leader changes a policy? Or can a member discuss the things that make him/her less excited about church worship, before someone says leave and go find something different?

I wast telling anyone that. I am saying something that UD alluded to earlier: if you change it what it becomes may not be what you wanted.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Hey. It Is not THAT funny as I am right once in a while.

No, I was laughing at the notion that our current exodus is caused by the church dropping so many demands and standards and being too accommodating to differing levels of belief. I haven't noticed any significant changes.

[Moliere]

Really? Kidding aside I haven't noticed that much of a change. But it's not just time, it's ideology, too. Being forced to be a peculiar people, so to speak.

Elimination of the activities committee (and indirectly less ward activities), TR interviews are only necessary every other year, elimination of Aaronic Priesthood Council (this one was too bad since Tyler Haws is in the training video), elimination of the welfare meeting, etc.

Not to mention, the church is much more willing to release someone from a calling that conflicts with their work. Back when my dad was my age you would likely be told to just have faith and your schedule will work out. I've known a half dozen people that were released because they were traveling too much.

The time commitment is reduced, especially so for those in leadership positions.

Other commitments remain in full force (WoW, tithing, chastity, etc.) so maybe that is where you were going.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Elimination of the activities committee (and indirectly less ward activities),

Our ward still does the same amount of activities. But now they are done by ad hoc committees in a far less efficient manner.

TR interviews are only necessary every other year,

30 minutes every other year.

elimination of Aaronic Priesthood Council (this one was too bad since Tyler Haws is in the training video), elimination of the welfare meeting, etc.

You got me there. But that only affects a small number of people in leadership positions.

Not to mention, the church is much more willing to release someone from a calling that conflicts with their work. Back when my dad was my age you would likely be told to just have faith and your schedule will work out. I've known a half dozen people that were released because they were traveling too much.

The time commitment is reduced, especially so for those in leadership positions.

Anecdotal. And that work is still being done by someone. When someone is released, they call someone else.

[Northwestcoug]

I wast telling anyone that. I am saying something that UD alluded to earlier: if you change it what it becomes may not be what you wanted.

Fair enough.

[smokymountainrain]

30 minutes every other year.

Damn. 5 minutes and I'm outta there.