Going rogue on small things

[_harmony]

Well, I suppose "small" is relative.

My stake is losing single adults and young single adults. The decline is steady. My stake leadership has faithfully followed the program coming out of SLC, and it isn't working. It isn't working to the extent that they're desperate.

So, yesterday the SP was in my daughter's ward library, standing in the corner for 15 minutes watching while she took care of the teenagers who flock there to talk to her every Sunday morning. This is the daughter who refuses to attend Single Adult activities, whose social life isn't centered on the church, who rarely attends any sort of social activity at the church unless it's in her home ward out here in the country. She likes to do things with her friends, not with the church. Movies, rodeos, dancing at the neighborhood bar, floating the river, waterskiing, camping... none of it with a "spiritual" component.

His request? That she accept the calling as head of the stake Single Adult program. He told her that he understood that she is not a male, and the program from SLC requires that the head of the program be a male, but they needed someone who could actually come up with a program that would work... and that person was her. He told her he knew she hates meetings, refuses to dress in traditionally appropriate clothing, and that the Young Single Adults would follow her to hell and back... and he was hoping she would accept the calling and kick the SLC program to the curb (along with the required "spiritual" component for everything), and find a way to build a program that was effective for this stake, effective meaning getting people to attend.

What amazed me was:

1. my SP is pretty conventional. Extending this calling to her must have been driven by desperation. He told her that the stake leadership had struggled with this idea for months, but that they were sure she was the right person... they just weren't brave enough to ask her to do it (she's been known to turn down callings before) because they were all afraid she'd say No, and then they'd really be up a creek.

2. to trust her with this program, while kicking the church's program for this age group to the curb, is pretty unconventional in itself, but I can't help but wonder if this is another of those "pilot" programs that we've seen in the past: seeing if fresh eyes can think of a solution to a problem. I can guarantee that her program will not include a "spiritual" component.

3. he told her he knew why she wasn't married at 34: because so many of the men her age were romantically involved with their video games. She agreed, and pointed out that she was far from alone in that particular basket. He agreed, and said there appeared to be no solution to the video game problem. (at least he didn't expect her to solve THAT problem).

[_zeezrom]

30+ year old boys romantically involved in video games? wow.

[_Fence Sitter]

3. he told her he knew why she wasn't married at 34: because so many of the men her age were romantically involved with their video games. She agreed, and pointed out that she was far from alone in that particular basket. He agreed, and said there appeared to be no solution to the video game problem. (at least he didn't expect her to solve THAT problem).

You know I have never seen it described that way but it seems very true.

Did she accept the calling?

If she does, she should let the SP know that Diablo III and Secret Garden are releasing soon and to not expect any turn around for the single males soon. Just saying.

(by the way the 'solution' to the video gaming problem is simple. Get the single women involved in video games. Online gaming groups are known to advertise for members with the slogan "We have chicks in vent!!" 'Vent' is a internet voice channel program.)

[_DarkHelmet]

Church is great for kids who are totally into the religious aspect of Mormonism. And that's what the church leadership wants. Kids who are totally psyched about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon and the living prophet, and think it is totally awesome and can't wait to share the gospel, those kids will do well in church. The boys will be the Deacons quorum president, teachers quorum president, grow up to serve a mission, be EQ president, and then Bishop. The girls will emulate Susan Beck in everything they do. There are kids like this, and there always have been, but they are the minority. The church is trying to force all the kids to be like this. Every activity now needs to have a spiritual theme. The kids are challenged to have a strong testimony and bring their friends to church. There is nothing fun about YM/YW for 90% of the kids.

[_Hades]

Harmony, your daughter sounds way cool. Maybe she could develop a church themed video game.

[_Fence Sitter]

Harmony, your daughter sounds way cool. Maybe she could develop a church themed video game.

Maybe a PVP MMORPG with a light skinned race vs a dark skinned race that could take place in imaginary ancient American cities with epic battles. You could have roles like Warriors, Prophets, Apostates, Missionaries, Faith Healers, Barbarians and so on. It would allow for groups to form up secret associations in game that could try and take over other groups. The reward system would be based on skin color change. Everyone would start out a neutral skin color and as you progressed through the game, depending on which side you choose, your character's skin color would get lighter or darker, an indication of how powerful you were.

[_DarkHelmet]

Harmony, your daughter sounds way cool. Maybe she could develop a church themed video game.

Maybe a PVP MMORPG with a light skinned race vs a dark skinned race that could take place in imaginary ancient American cities with epic battles. You could have roles like Warriors, Prophets, Apostates, Missionaries, Faith Healers, Barbarians and so on. It would allow for groups to form up secret associations in game that could try and take over other groups. The reward system would be based on skin color change. Everyone would start out a neutral skin color and as you progressed through the game, depending on which side you choose, your character's skin color would get lighter or darker, an indication of how powerful you were.

That would be awesome, which gurantees the church would never produce it. They would make something like a first person missionary game where you go door to door and try to convert people.

[_SteelHead]

Harmony, your daughter sounds way cool. Maybe she could develop a church themed video game.

Maybe a PVP MMORPG with a light skinned race vs a dark skinned race that could take place in imaginary ancient American cities with epic battles. You could have roles like Warriors, Prophets, Apostates, Missionaries, Faith Healers, Barbarians and so on. It would allow for groups to form up secret associations in game that could try and take over other groups. The reward system would be based on skin color change. Everyone would start out a neutral skin color and as you progressed through the game, depending on which side you choose, your character's skin color would get lighter or darker, an indication of how powerful you were.

Make it an RTS. Call it "Priestcraft".

[_Drifting]

I hope it will be an official call, ratified by the laying on of hands and given the full sustaining vote.

If not, then the SP is being a tad disingenuous by asking her to do something without those rights and powers etc that go with the job.

[_harmony]

I hope it will be an official call, ratified by the laying on of hands and given the full sustaining vote.

If not, then the SP is being a tad disingenuous by asking her to do something without those rights and powers etc that go with the job.

the vote goes before the wards next Sunday, and she'll be set apart after that.

It's official. it's just so out there that I'm a little flabbergasted. She went to her first official meeting last night, dressed in sweats and a sweatshirt, with all the other stakes' SA and YSA people. They'd best get used to it and her.

The SP also told her that if anyone gave her any guff for what she wants to do, she's to come to him, because he's determined that gets what she wants to succeed, on her terms. None of this women running things behind the scenes crap... his idea is it's gotta be straight up she's in charge or she won't do it.

(and she hates video games)