jbh001 wrote:Or is this just one of those traditions that got started on a whim and we do it simply because "that's the way we've always done it."
When you travel around a stake or visit other units outside it is interesting to notice "individual ways" of doing different things.
I once had to "clean up" a handfull of "odd" practises and it was an interesting experience. Instead of just stopping them I took the time to find out how they had started in the first place.
Some was because "that's the way we've always done it.", others because someone had memorised something from a manual 20 years ago and others were started with good intensions to solve a particular problem.
So as Mike says there can be good reasons for something being a certain way in a certain unit or maybe the leader has been too busy with more pressing issues.
The obvious danger of just doing things because "that's the way we've always done it." is that an inexperienced person could faithful continue a certain way only for someone in the future to say stop without due care.
jbh001 wrote:Many times we too frequently do not respect people's time by letting meetings run over time. I have reminded leaders that General Conference always begins on time and ends on time or earlier. If they can do it, they we can do it too with our sacrament meeting speakers, Sunday school lessons, and weekday activities.
I do agree on this one here.
I have usually used the train as an example. We can all make sure to be on the platform in time to board the train safely. Maybe that is because we KNOW the train will not wait for us.
Simple waiting to start a lesson, activity, meeting etc might be kind towards "repeat-offenders" arriving late but it is also lack of respect to those who arrived on time.
I used to pre-warn people I would start on time and then carried it out. To be honest it was a challenge for me too. Some changed instantly, others took a few more weeks as they realised we were serious. But the way in which it is handled is the key.
When it comes to finishing on time then a great deal of counselling/training could be done in the right spirit to help and aid those who are finding this a bit of a challenge but too often sorting things like this can be drowned amongst more pressing issues.
It just goes to show that the more people who serve more faithfully will ultimately lead to our leaders having the time and space to deal with all the small but equally important things.
kolisikepu wrote:Well here is my form for our Bishopric. I tried to keep it simple and easy to fill in on a PC (or for those who have Mac's, on a Mac too) or paper. Let me know what you think and if I can improve anything on it too. I hope you find it helpful.
I really like the "soft" and simple look of this, well done.