I admit to enjoying this past General Conference. It was a pleasure to see the President of the Church up at the podium, strong and engaged. I enjoyed many of the talks, and maybe like you, were happy to avoid some of the more controversial topics. I know so many wished they were addressed
But this was indeed a different Conference from recent years. If ever want to see contrast, listen to Conferences in the early 70’s and 80’s Your hair will stand on end (except for you Mormon bald guys).
The elimination of the Home Teaching/Visiting Teaching Program was finally long overdue. The number crunching only proved over and over ago how ineffective it was. Replaced by ministering, which by the way is the correct term, it allows tremendous flexibility to actually MINISTER to people in the Savior’s way.
In my Ward, there is a significant amount of ministering that goes on a regular basis by unsung heroes in the Ward who did it anyway without assignment. When assignments need to be made, we often have more people than need. We had a small assignment the other day and a Brother showed up a few minutes late and we were done. It’s the little things that count. Luckily we don’t have to count a “honk and drive by” anymore.
I also like the combining of the Priesthood Quorums. In some Wards and Branches, it was pretty much a necessity Now I think it a unity move and a lining up with the Relief Society to be more effective. We will see.
Now to my topic at hand. – Re-activating the “Active “Church
Even though the Church reported 16,118,169 members for the end of 2017, it is pretty common knowledge that those classified as active (Attending Sacrament Meeting once a month) is probably 1/4th to 1.5th of that number.
But then again, how “active” are these “active?”
The Signs
- Busy, busy, lives – In many cases, both spouses have to work which leaves very little family time, on top of callings, lessons, Temple, driving kids to Churc
The most important part of out Church Worship on Sunday h during the week, outside sports and school function, etc.
- Can’t get to Church on time, no matter what the time is. I understand what it is like to have to corral multiple children and get them ready, especially if it is a spouse alone, while the other is in a meeting. We had five, so I get it, but we were seldom late. But we have chronic later comers that fill up the back on the cultural hall when it starts. Many miss the Sacrament Service, which may, in fact, be their intention, I don’t know.
- Won’t Take Callings – Some refuse to take callings, or ask for a specific calling. I found this with many thirty-sometimes (see number one above). Some elderly are “retired” from the Church as well.
- Sacrament Meeting Talks– Once in a while, a Sacrament Meeting talk is so good, you sit up, wake up and take notice and remember it. Some are very touching as families, both new and old relate trias and tribulations and how grateful they were to The LORD for his comfort and help.
But yet, many, many talks are just not good, whether it is time to prepare, just do it to get through it, or almost reading a Conference talk without the person’s own insight.
- Phones And Social Media – No place in Church, except for emergencies. Adults, youth, children (it’s used as a babysitter) refuse to turn it off for even just an hour (“oh, I’m studying my scriptures”). Ward Bishoprics plead with members to put them down. It doesn’t work. (a great topic for later)
- Lack of Social interaction – Back in the day, the Church had activities all the time, dances, Speech competitions, Roadshows, Sports of all kinds, Gold and Green Balls, Regular Ward Socials. It was too much and as lifestyles changes, things got eliminated). I imagine some Wards still have a lot of socials, but ours are few and far between. We have a couple in the year that untouchable, but in the winter months, things can get cancelled due to weather. But this lack of social interaction is wreaking havoc to stay connected to Ward members who show up at activities, who might be on the fringes, willing to come back.
- “And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ……” 2 Nephi25:26. Do we?
- Testimony or no Testimony? Hard to tell. I”ve heard beautiful ones and I’ve matter of fact ones. Much of this malaise I feel can stem from lack of real convictions.
- Other problems – Church History, Local Leaders, LGBTQ issues, utter shocking revelations in the news are all contributing factorings.
So to summarize, as I listened to Conference, with the stories of helping people one on one, putting ourselves out there as Ministers, I could not help thinking that this was all about “Reactivating the “Active” Church.”
Now I’d like to hear what you think of my premise and what possible solutions you can think of. I didn’t want to put mine.
So, please discuss inn a polite manner.
Wheat & Tares 
“lack of real convictions.” I can only speak to my own experience, but after studying our Church’s history, I find it much harder to say, “I know” about most things.
As for phones, all I can say is good luck but I’ll be one of those who ignores the bishop’s plea to put them away. Sometimes, it’s the only thing that gets me through a long class. Other times, it helps me to find the exact quote or fact which I can only recall fuzzily.
It’s my understanding that we have been encouraged to use the lesson manuals on LDS tools on our phones while at church, because it will save the church a lot of money in printing costs. I thought that this was church-wide. Has anyone else heard this? I find it difficult to engage at church. I’m an introvert, and so prefer not to be put in social situations. In the past, when I was a fully believing member, guilt disguised as dedication kept me attending meetings and activities. But now that I I’m not fully believing, I find it difficult to happily attend in any capacity. I do remember loving road shows as a youth, because it brought several generations in my ward together. It was fun to rub shoulders with creative adults in the ward, It’s my understanding that road shows were done away because people were just too busy. Can we do away with most meetings, including deleting one hour of church on Sundays, and add back road shows? Road shows are about creating something special together without the weight of religion overhead. Even an introvert like me would enjoy this type of ministering.
Social interaction for me is a big deal. All of the emphasis on activities needing to be missionary focused took a lot of the fun out of church. Many may be socially active though not doctrinally active. We need to reach out to those as well. Why can’t church be a place to meet friends and gain a social network? I say, let’s have more activities where fun is the only intent of meeting.
This is a good list. I’d add one more sign: No evidence that the Gentiles are prospering any less than super active LDS. In fact many seem happier and more content with their sinful ways of brunch or a round of golf on Sunday mornings, not paying tithing, and fewer children. Yes I’m saying “sinful” sarcastically.
I don’t think the solution is to convince us to be more involved in church, that’s why so many of us are burned out in the first place. In my view we need to become more service and community oriented and more inclusive. This is not without risk because it’s fundamentally different than how we’ve operated for 100+ years, and it will be more difficult to differentiate ourselves from any other Christian church. However, the world is a different place than when I grew up and I believe any effort to insulate LDS members will produce a stable but not growing LDS population that gradually becomes smaller relative to the population and less relevant to the world in general.
“…it allows tremendous flexibility to actually MINISTER to people in the Savior’s way.”
I sure hope so, but our track record for making simple things complex and loaded with bureaucracy is pretty good.
I remember an EQ Pres about 25 years ago say he thought the challenge for our generation would be managing the little amount of time not already scheduled. I know of people in the San Fran Bay area that commute for over an hour each way every day. That alone can take 5 or more hours out of ones week than compared with their parents schedules. It is a pressure we all feel.
Interesting topic and list.
Phones: That’s more indicative a large issue plaguing society that we’ll work through. Sit at a restaurant and you’ll see there’s a major issue with phones.
Testimony and Talks: Any time you open up the pulpit to the public, you’re gonna get what you’re gonna get. That’s what makes church interesting.
For Callings, I’d love to see a sign up sheet that lists what callings you’d like. If the spirit moves you ask someone, then do it. If not, you have a list full of people that would like to do the position you need filled.
Church on time? Start with the other meetings and end with Sacrament.
Yes, Mas Cristo por favor! Christ’s love is the whole reason we do all of this.
Social interactions: I think that’s also a societal issue where people seem less inclined to be social. Maybe it’s just me but when was the last time you saw people outside their homes talking?
If they take my iPad away at church, I’ll have to resort to bringing reading material from home like I used to. Maybe an old issue of Sunstone (great conversation starter in Sunday school).
People not accepting callings is a huge problem☹️
I’m with Andy on callings — there is no reason we can’t let members express interest in certain callings — they might not get them, of course, but asking for expressions of interest could be powerful.
But I really like sacrament meeting first.
Over an hour HH?! My dear husband was travelling 5 hours daily for 15 years when our kids were young, he was ward mission leader for 7 years, on the bishopric for the other years. I taught seminary and gospel doctrine, and we both home and visit taught. And our Saturdays we were meant to be at the temple. I’m not recommending that as a life, it was awful and a waste of life and talent largely. And none of our kids come to church…why would they?
He is now 68 and commutes four hours a day. We are both too sick to be of much good to anyone. Go figure.
I think church has to look like a good thing in our lives for us to retain our youth, because they realise as a generation that they have choices. And as adults, we realise we have choices too, no longer do we hand over that power to others.
I’ve noticed burnout, boredom, and bubble-bursting have drained away much of the desire to be anxiously engaged. Creativity was squelched when we used to be able to use visual aids for talks or have a slideshow accompanying the ward choir. And other such things. We speak in monotones in our talks and yet are expected to stay awake. Church just isn’t very interesting any more, and most of the fun was leached out a long time ago.
But, glory, with age I love to go purely to think of Christ, worship him in song and prayer. I bring my personal joy to church with me cause I don’t often find it there. But when I was young I don’t think I knew much about how to do this. I’m saddened by the loss of so many but I understand why they drift away. God bless us all.
Number 7 needs to be moved to the top.
I have blogged extensively along these lines and I am all blogged out tonight.
I attend other churches. They have some of these problems but not nearly as severe. We could look to their experiences for insight..
Good discussion.
Phones are pretty much mandatory at church these days. The adult classes in my stake only give manuals to people that request them, which is almost nobody, and the youth classes don’t even have a printed manual. Sorry; pretty soon banning phones is going to be seen as practical as banning pens. There is certainly room to talk about appropriate use, however.
I have been asked to speak in sacrament several times as an adult, but I’ve only once had more than two or three days notice. I would like to think that people would prepare better talks if they had more time. I talked to a bishop about this, and he responded that everyone waits until the last minute to prepare anyway, but I think that is a poor excuse to give a short notice speaking assignment.
Yes, I think these changes are largely about energizing the active members. But frankly, I think members need to be in callings that match their talents and interests, so I’m not at all opposed to people asking for callings. And I think the problem with sacrament talks is not the speakers but the assignments they are given.
If I were to pick two things to change, I would increase the focus on selfless community service (not just intra-ward service, which is where ministering focuses) and I’d revamp the teaching materials to include more challenging material.
But, there are reasons I’m not in charge…
I forgot to talk about being late to church. I hate, hate, hate, hate, hate being late. I would rather not go at all than be late. But then, I don’t have a strong desire to attend.
When I look at my family and compare the punctuality to testimony, there is no correlation, or, if there is a correlation, by coincidence the people who are stronger believers are the ones who are always late. So I think it’s easy to judge the late people, but it’s not necessarily a good indicator of faithfulness.
I’ve come to realize the Church has no problem scheduling my time. I’ve taken action to limit this so I can volunteer with a local service organization (l’m on the board as well). My wife does the same for another organization. Interestingly we appear to be the only LDS that serve in these organizations at that level. We live in Utah, so it runs against the demographics. I suspect a large part of the reason is LDS are already caught up with so many church activities, they don’t have time to do one more. The Church should evaluate how they are isolating themselves from the greater community that way.
Dave C – I think you are spot on. If you allow it, the church will schedule all of your free time and praise you as you do. If that is where you want to spend your time and effort – great. Go for it. I do think this is a bit what build such a community. Church members are funneled to serve other church members, which builds relationships and presents more opportunities to serve these members. That has some HUGE benefits. Even mental health scientists will confirm this is great for health. But if you don’t make an effort to serve outside of the ward and stake, it is easy enough to feel you have done your part (time, money (tithing/Fast offering), and emotionally connecting).
But I did find in my faith transition that started to feel a bit more selfish – equivalent of only helping family members and giving everyone else the “your on your own” cold shoulder. I feel much more compelled to try and treat others kindly without any “missionary” motive. The only thing I wish of these people is that they feel better and they will want to pay it back by doing the same to others.
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.
Surely some revelation is at hand.
Rockies Gma is right, we rang our own death knell when correlation cut out the arts and socialization from our communities. We stopped our road shows, dances, bands, quilting bees, bazaars, many of our pagents, theater plays, etc. Additionally, we stopped being responsible for the craftsmanship for our devotion -our once unparalleled beautiful Mormon craftsmanship was no longer necessary. We stopped using our hands and communities to build temples , solder stained glass,, upholster, fashion carpentry, etc.) If ripping our hearts our Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom style (our creativity and art) wasn’t bad enough, we also stopped farming, canning, and eating together (when chapel kitchens were effectively shut down). What’s left? I argue that w/o art , our hearts don’t beat. No wonder church feels hollow.
Even today’s busy professionals take some time for their passions. Yoga. Community choir, Craft fairs and clubs. Softball. Running. Gardening. Photography. Etc. they just don’t make room for church because church isn’t alive with the things that make us alive.
If you sing well enough to be in the MoTab and live nearby, you would treasure practicing on Thursday nights, performing in temples, even going to 2 extra hours (ack!) of church in Sunday for Music and The Spoken Word. Who wouldn’t! Even non-LDS performers talk about how healing and nurturing of spirit it is to practice and perform w the MoTab.
Want engaged saints? Put the heart back in- the arts.
My kids hate the church. Odds of any of them staying active once they leave the house: 15%.
The three things they hate most in this order:
1.) Sunday school: the lessons are crap. Sorry for being blunt but there’s no meat; there’s no spirit. Often, they’d be better served watching an hour of TED talks than talking about the Plan of Salvation or the Godhead again.
2.) Priesthood: it’s the same fricking topic the third hour as they just had in Sunday School. And it’s the same lesson they had one year ago. What crazy committee and focus group thought this was a good idea?
3.) Sacrament meeting: I often find myself on my phone because the Bloggernacle and Twitterstake are often more intellectually stimulating.
MTodd,
Agree with #1, and #2. I hope the rising generation will see our mistakes and catch the vision of how sunday school and priesthood could be.
With regards to Sacrament meeting, I would take a page from rockiesgma and worry more about offering your sacraments and offerings to the Lord in that hour than seeking offerings to your intellect….hence I agree with the call for digital media removal [during that meeting only]
As a life-long, 6th generation member, that never lived in Utah, my opinion about the use of the label “ministering” is that it is somewhat off-putting. The overarching value/objective of a church (organized, with meetings, etc.) should be mutual support, a sense of community, and in a word: friendship.
The almost complete lack of the use of the word ministering in our Mormon culture makes it feel foreign and too formal. It conjures up the image of a minister bringing something to a person, to a family, to a congregation (e.g., ministering angel). The unspoken goal of Home/Visiting teaching should have always been friendship, support, aid, a sense of belonging, sharing…etc. [And certainly not the anachronistic concept of “watch over…to see if they are living the commandments.”]
IMO “Ministering” does not connote that. But, give us 20 years of consistent messaging and indoctrination and maybe that will change its connotation in our hearts and minds.
You kidding fbisiti?
Formally assigned “friendship” would be horrible.
Mortimer: Kicking a dead horse some more. I think you are absolutely correct.
A local example was what they did to a white oak tree on the front lawn of our church property.. This tree was estimated to be over 500 years old. It was massive and beautiful. I never measured the trunk but my memory indicates it to be about 12 ft in diameter and the branches were over 100 feet tall and shaded a similar distance in every direction. It was on a list of protected trees and the largest tree I can think of in the area. Every week the oak tree was a reminder of the steadiness and tirelessness of God’s love for me.
About 40 years ago the LDS church built our chapel on the property and cut down many of the adjacent trees of average size and planted lawn. They over-watered and over-fertilized the lawn for decades which caused the clay soil to become more compact and more boggy. This killed the deeper roots of the oak tree. But the tree did not need the extra water, it was getting plenty from the sprinklers. Then about 10 years ago we had a drought and water restrictions for lawns which did not apply to large stately protected trees. But the church did not want the negative image of watering the lawn when it was restricted. The sprinklers were shut off, the lawn died and the orange-red clay was baked almost as hard as a flower pot.
Several large branches in the top of the oak tree died. The tree was still salvageable but it would not look as good and it would be expensive to remove the dead branches that high. Nothing was done. In a few years those branches would rot and fall. They were big enough to easily kill anyone under the tree and it was a favorite activity to hold children’s classes under that tree, But before that happened God interceded. Lightening struck the top of the oak tree and ignited the dead branches and leaves. The fire department had a hard time extinguishing the blaze.
The oak tree was a mess.The loggers were summoned and the tree was cut down without ceremony. I expressed grief at church the next week when nobody seemed to care and was told to quit yer bitchin’ because a testimony was more valuable than that tree.
President Hinckley planted a walnut tree in his yard in the Salt Lake suburbs. My dad claimed he didn’t plant it in the ground straight and the winds out of East Millcreek canyon caused it to grow lopsided and a few years later it was easily blown over by a microburst. Hinckley’s walnut tree was a mere shrub in comparison to this mighty oak tree. The podium in the Supernacle was made out of the wood from that walnut tree. What did they do with the wood from the oak tree? Nothing.
I found out that a local woman with a degree in Landscape Architecture from BYU had been warning the church leaders about the oak tree for many years and was ignored. She was in tears and more angry than I was as she described the factors that led to the loss of the oak tree. I also heard the local tree-huggers society had the LDS church fined a large amount of money for abusing that tree or whatever the legal terminology is for what they did or didn’t do. The church is not just quietly paying off women victims of abuse.
The story of that oak tree is symbolic of what correlation has done to the church. The oak tree was God’s work of art for my ward. And they ruined it and killed it. They don’t care and they don’t even get it.
Good post and interesting comments. I took three of my young kids on a camping trip last summer. In previous years it had been stressful trying to get them to bed at regular times, trying to make sure they ate nutritious meals, etc. Last year I said to hell with it and they ate chips for dinner and stayed up really late. Everyone had a great time. The things you’ve listed are seen as problems by the general and local leadership. I think we need to accept these as realities and, instead of trying to make individuals and families change, let’s have the Church take note and adjust our programs. The home teaching change was a good start. Everyone seems in universal agreement that a two hour block would be a big improvement. Let’s do it! I think you will have more natural mingling and socializing after that will bring the ward closer together. People are bored at church, let’s make it more interesting! My ward has started a Sunday School class that talks about controversial issues. We had everyone submit anonymous questions at the beginning and the teachers have tackled them. The class is always crowded, we have so much discussion they can’t get to all the comments and I’ve never seen anyone on their phone. I also like the idea of “come as you are” both in terms of dress and state of belief. If we are serious about getting more people active and engaged that would be a big step. A lot of people mentally check out because they don’t feel like they can say what they believe because they will be corrected.
Felix:
I generally concur with your line of reasoning.But I wish to point out that going to a 2 hour block solves nothing. You can go to your own 2 hour block any time you wish. Armed guards do not make you attend any of the meetings. If a 2 hour block is an improvement then maybe a 1 hour block would be even better. And while you are at it, why not get rid of the last hour too!
The problem is more with what is going on during those hours than how long the meetings last. Many sports events or concerts keep people’s attention for 3 hours. We need to improve the contents of those meetings, regardless of how long they might last. Your new Sunday school class demonstrates it.
Mike: true, but you don’t have small children or frail elderly people at 3-hour sporting events. The primary and youth curricula are both so terrible and unengaging that it’s a wonder the kids don’t burn the place down each Sunday. My daughter is incredibly frustrated with the primary curriculum itself as well as the fact that the bright, inquisitive kids in her class are getting bored out of their skulls and acting “irreverently.” I squabble with my wife because I don’t try to pretend that primary is any better than it really is. The best primary teachers and leaders incorporate movement/physical activity into lessons, reward creativity and questions, and try at least superficially to accommodate kids who don’t love to sing. The worst just stick to the manuals and brand any noncompliant kid as “irreverent.”
I handle boring classes by wading in and asking provocative questions, but I’m an adult. New members, kids, and others don’t have my brash rebellious streak, and they’re often bored and underfed spiritually.
Mike, I agree that it would help to improve the curriculum and hold attention. But, I also agree with Bro. Jones that three hours is just too long for little kids.
Now that I’ve finally developed enough maturity and inner strength to “take back my life” (so to speak) from the LDS Church, I’m much more able to clearly and concisely say YES when I want to and also NO when I deem it is warranted. While this kind of candor really takes some people by surprise….the freedom and peace of mind which I’ve gained have truly been a gift to myself. I no longer believe that the LDS Church is worthy of deep, lifelong conviction simply because they demand it. From here on out for me…they’re going to have to earn it.
At first when my children got rowdy at church I tried to discipline them. But eventually I realized that they had “some real stinkers for teachers ” (in their own words)and useless lesson manuals. Then I started to hold their teachers responsible. I recall one primary teacher who was so bad I released him and effectively kicked him out of teaching my son. He sat reverently with me in the adult classes. Of course, I was willing or volunteered to teach their classes that third hour. I experimented until I came up with activities, not just lessons to keep their attention and teach them good age-appropriate principles.It wasn’t easy and didn’t work all the time but I refused to let the institution of the church corral me into continually doing a shitty job teaching. Of course I eventually landed on the no teaching list and I have little sympathy for them.
Also, I might point out that even our crappy public schools can keep their attention twice that long and to good effect if excellent teachers are in front of the class. I have kept boy scouts up most of the night around a campfire telling them stories and getting them to tell each other things. They bond and learn much from each other. Children have long attention spans for topics which interest them. I am told these same scouts can play with a damned digital contraption for 6 hours straight. Three hours of GOOD church would not be a problem.
I remain committed to the principle of making the time we have with the youth at church as valuable as possible and not relinquish it to other useless activities. This will require major shifts in our perspective and expectations. Personally, I failed more than succeeded.I hope some of y’all can do better.
I trust the elderly to have the good sense to participate when and as long as they can within their reasonable limitations and then rest as much as they need without guilt or excuse..
Lefthandloafer, I rarely chime in, but I just had to apologize for my downvote. I agree with you wholeheartedly but my finger slipped!
Dave B: balm for my soul (but strong). Thanks.
The “busy, busy lives” issue is real, as is the issue with many not wanting to accept callings or considering themselves “retired” from callings. Many of those latter folks also want some kind of medal and pass for previous service, and they love to list off their big important church resume.
My current ward is a tough, tough pull. I enjoy singing the hymns in Sac Mtg, and an occasional talk will be worth the time I spend there. Gospel Doctrine is the worst. The manuals aren’t great, and the teachers lack imagination or teaching skills or are just irritating as all get out. RS is a real mixed bag with some of them making me want to eat glass while others make valuable comments.
Still, I don’t feel that any of them are my actual close friends (with the exception of those who came from my old ward before the boundary change), nor do I really want to make friends with them. The ones I’m friends with would still be my friend if I didn’t go (that’s how great they are), and the others are just hard for me to relate to or are just superficial “church friends.” Nobody would care if I quit going, including me. It’s very discouraging. I’ve got so many lifetime friends from previous wards, and I still don’t feel like that’s the case here after 2 years. They’re mostly not on Facebook so getting to know others is not easy. Maybe if we were doing things like Linger Longers that would change. I really don’t know. For me at least, this ward just doesn’t click.
Thank you all for the thoughtful comments. I guess I should clarified not NO PHONE USE DURING SACRAMENT MEETING. I am like everyone else, I us my phone for scriptures and class material in the other two periods.
The other thing that struck me is no one really picked up on “And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ……” 2 Nephi25:26. Do we?
Any further comments