Is the Ward Clerk Technically a member of the Bishopric?

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elderlarryhawkes-p40
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Is the Ward Clerk Technically a member of the Bishopric?

#1

Post by elderlarryhawkes-p40 »

The question is, who are technically members of the Bishopric? I'm thinking it is just the Bishop and his two councilors based on what I see in the handbook.

For example, the past several bishoprics have had the ward clerk read in the names of new members that move into the ward and welcome them in sacrament meeting. Seems that the prior bishoprics felt that the ward clerk was a member of the bishopric.

Page 146 in Handbook 1, and in the section "Records of New Ward Members", It mentions that a member of the bishopric should do this.

On page 21 it does not indicate that the ward clerk or executive secretary are part of the bishopric except that the exec. sec. is an assistant to the bishopric.

On page 13 under "Bishopric" it starts out by referring to "He (the bishop) and his two councilors".

Please include reference to information that supports a conclusive answer when replying if possible.

Thanks.
lajackson
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#2

Post by lajackson »

elderlarryhawkes wrote:The question is, who are technically members of the Bishopric? I'm thinking it is just the Bishop and his two councilors based on what I see in the handbook.
The bishop and his two counselors form the bishopric. Although the ward clerk and the ward executive secretary are intimately involved in the work of the bishopric, they are not members of the bishopric, and that term does not refer to them.

You provided a pertinent quote from page 21 of the Church Handbook of Instructions in your question. Both of the following statements are on page 21.

Ward clerks and assistant ward clerks . . . are trained by the bishopric.
The executive secretary is an assistant to the bishopric.

In other places in the Handbook, reference is made to the bishop and his counselors who conduct the work of the bishopric.

A clerk does not normally present a matter to the congregation that requires a sustaining vote. That said, however, this is not an unknown practice, although it was more common many, many years ago than today.

But, according to the handbook, it is proper for a member of the bishopric to present business to the ward members for their sustaining vote. At the stake level, the stake president and his counselors, or an assigned high councilor are authorized to present business for a sustaining vote. Check out the instructions at the top of the Sustaining of Officers form in MLS or at your next ward conference.
elderlarryhawkes-p40
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#3

Post by elderlarryhawkes-p40 »

Thanks,

That clarification is very helpful. your time is greatly appreciated.

Larry
jbh001
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#4

Post by jbh001 »

For me the clarification comes from describing who attends meetings like PEC and Ward Welfare meeting. The handbook usually states that the bishopric should attend AND the ward clerk AND the executive secretary. Since they are listed separately, that indicates to me that the ward clerk(s) and executive secretary are not considered part of the bishopric eventhough they attend almost every meeting that the bishopric does.

Another thing to consider is that when the bishop is released, that action automatically releases his counselors but not the ward clerk(s) or the executive secretary. They might happen to be released at the same time as the bishop, but would be coincidental rather than automatic.
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mkmurray
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#5

Post by mkmurray »

jbh001 wrote:For me the clarification comes from describing who attends meetings like PEC and Ward Welfare meeting. The handbook usually states that the bishopric should attend AND the ward clerk AND the executive secretary. Since they are listed separately, that indicates to me that the ward clerk(s) and executive secretary are not considered part of the bishopric eventhough they attend almost every meeting that the bishopric does.

Another thing to consider is that when the bishop is released, that action automatically releases his counselors but not the ward clerk(s) or the executive secretary. They might happen to be released at the same time as the bishop, but would be coincidental rather than automatic.
Same goes for Elders' Quorum Presidencies, Relief Society Presidencies, and so on with their Secretaries.

In my opinion, Presidencies should try to remember to utilize their Secretaries like Secretaries and not a 3rd Counselor. Every Presidency should read the Church Handbook to figure out what place each member should play in serving their auxiliary.
gddrew-p40
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#6

Post by gddrew-p40 »

Also bear in mind that the bishop and his councilors must be ordained to the office High Priest (if they're not already an HP), whereas the executive secretary and the clerks do not.
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kh_design
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priesthood office of Bishop in the Aaronic priesthood

#7

Post by kh_design »

Also as a note, the Bishop must be ordained to the priesthood office of Bishop in the Aaronic priesthood (if not already a Bishop in the Aaronic priesthood) and then set apart as the Bishop of the Ward to which he will preside as the set apart Bishop. The Bishop's councilors are not ordained to the priesthood office of Bishop.
lajackson
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#8

Post by lajackson »

kh_design wrote:. . . Bishop must be ordained to the priesthood office of Bishop in the Aaronic priesthood (if not already a Bishop in the Aaronic priesthood) and then set apart as the Bishop of the Ward to which he will preside as the set apart Bishop.
The bishop actually presides over the ward as the set apart presiding high priest, not as the ordained Aaronic Priesthood bishop. As the ordained and set apart bishop, he does preside over all of the Aaronic Priesthood functions of the ward.

When you sit down to analyze it, the bishop holds a most complex and fascinating calling.
Velska
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#9

Post by Velska »

I don't know if this is relevant for the discussion any more, but in the Church directory, for districts outside of stake boundaries, the listed officers are District President and District Clerk.

I surmise that has something to do with the fact, that the clerk should be the one to know everything about the unit he is clerking for. Of course, the same goes for all secretaries of all quorums/auxiliaries.
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#10

Post by Liam-p40 »

Responding to several points made in the above threads.

The "bishop" in a ward has actually three callings. (1) Presiding high priest; (2) Bishop; and (3) President of the Quorum of Priests.

Counselors in a bishopric are not always ordained high priest, they can also function as an elder. This is done in student wards where the two counselors are younger than usual. Ordination to high priest is general in a regular ward since there will be other high priests not in the bishopric.

The executive secretary is actually an executive of the Priesthood Executive Committee (PEC), and not the bishopric.

A District is organized under a Mission. The minimum requirement for a District is a district president and a clerk. However, neither the district presidence, council, or branch presidencies require, or are ordained, top the office of high priest. The priesthood executive is the mission president who has the same presiding authority over the membership as a stake president. The two Europe Areas account for a quarter of all the branches in the Church. Most of the branches are organized into districts, however, there are several branches directly reporting to the mission outside of the organized districts.
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