I'm going in to be interviewed. Advice?

[Margarita]

You handled this really well...and you know..this is just what the Bishop needed. As a new guy, he needed to know that this would happen sometimes..lucky you, you caught him unawares...I admire that you held fast to your own integrity. I was a "yes" person for so long that I nearly killed myself...from exhaustion and low self esteem..because it was never good enough. Best to you!!

[Linked]

That sounds like a great interview! I would love to have been in his head at this point:

Being caught up in the moment, and almost instinctively copying his mannerism but not in a disrespectful way, I also took a deep breath, looked down at my shoes, raised my eyes, looking directly into his and said "It's because that I appreciate all the work that you've done, that I'm sorry to say I respectfully decline." Then we just sort of stared at each other for a moment. He didn't see it coming, I was waiting for him to speak, and there was just silence.

So I spoke again, "I need to decline at this time." Then I waited and rephrased, "I need to turn this down."

The man was absolutely dumbfounded. Then, out of nowhere he sort of opened his arms, leans back in his chair, folds his arms again, leans forward and asks, "Is there something you need to tell me?", half accusing, half confused.

He's thinking this is where the member shows their commitment to the Lord by accepting the calling I offered. Then you tell him no, 3 times, with no explanation. So where does he go? He thinks you must have worthiness issues to work out. Probably because he has been there before and knows the answers to that.

Well done Oliver, I hope you are able to enjoy your independence from the church!

[trophywife26.2]

Reading that was SO ENJOYABLE!!!!

So enjoy this.

[deacon blues]

Many of these leaders are in such denial. They don't want to know that their magical world is based on a bunch of JS-BS. Good for you Oliver.

[Red Ryder]

What callings in the church are non-essential?

Sacrament meeting greeter?
Ward hall monitor?
Bathroom attendant?
Mother's lounge attendant?
Hymn book clean up?
Pew polisher?
Sunday school bell ringer?

Now I'm curious what you turned down?

[LostMormon]

I recently turned down an EQ calling.

I expressed my honest reasons why I didn't want to do it. Too much time commitment and I need to focus on my family and work right now. He said to think about it and get back to him. So I did and sent a text confirming my no and that was it.

Thanks but no thanks really works.

So what's the acceptable amount of time one should wait before sending the text? Because I'm thinking before I leave the room might be a be a bit too soon, or do you think that would be OK?

[oliver_denom]

I recently turned down an EQ calling.

I expressed my honest reasons why I didn't want to do it. Too much time commitment and I need to focus on my family and work right now. He said to think about it and get back to him. So I did and sent a text confirming my no and that was it.

Thanks but no thanks really works.

So what's the acceptable amount of time one should wait before sending the text? Because I'm thinking before I leave the room might be a be a bit too soon, or do you think that would be OK?

I opted for the next business day. It's a lot like dealing with a salesman. You're goal is to get the door shut, and the salesman's goal is to keep it open. If they can turn your no into a maybe, or a delayed no, then they still have a chance. My advice to anyone about to do this is to understand that you'll need to say no a minimum of three times before its over.

[FiveFingerMnemonic]

Effing awesome Oliver, I'm going to have to A-B test the stare down at shoes, sigh, look deep into their eyes method. I can imagine Joseph using that on young unassuming maidens.