You’ve recently been called as Bishop. Now what would you do to change things?

[2bizE]

I usually tell people if I were ever called as bishop I would get fired not long after.
Changes I would make:
1) Turn all control of RS over to the RS President
2) make the SS President a female.
3) Background checks on all leadership and people working with youth and kids.
4) Bring back fun youth programs
5) Have young women prepare the sacrament table and also pass the sacrament
6) Call a gay person to teach gospel doctrine
7) Call bishop counselors as husband/wife pair, not just a guy.
8) Have a diverse ward council.
9) limit meetings outside of church to 2 hours per week total.
10) Give anyone who wanted a TR a TR.

What would you do in this situation?

[Just This Guy]

1. Ban all one-on-one interviews by all members of leadership. Interviewees can pick who they would like to attend with them. No sexually explicit questions ever.
2. The only BP members that sit on the stage are to be the person conducting the meeting and any member of the BP that is speaking that week. Other than that, BP members can sit with their families.
3. Organize community improvement and outreach efforts. Yellow shirts are banned.
4. Bring in outside ministers to teach bible theology.
5. Have a rock play some songs. Encourage all types of music that bring the spirit.
6. Install a projector and screen for multimedia talks.
7. Cancel all church after SM. Maybe have short quorum meeting to organize community outreach events.
8. Make each gospel topic essay a subject for detailed talks in SM. One essay a week. Open the floor up for discussion of the materiel and how people react to it.
9. Teach the words of Christ, not the words of modern "apostles."
10. Coffee, tea, & cocoa social after each service.

[Red Ryder]

I would send my counselors on a mission and marry their wives!

Oh.. You said Bishop?

I would gather all of the adults and ask them what they want to get out of church? Then implement the ideas I think are fun and doable like hot tub parties in the baptismal font, community theater on the stage, and laser tag in the chapel. Then I would spend the young men's budget on BBQ and beer on a party for the entire ward boundary regardless of actual membership in the church. Then I would ask anyone who wanted to bear their testimony to do so after drinking a minimum of 3 beers. I would allow any and all to partake of the ensuing loud laughter and pray to god it doesn't end in a wet garment t-shirt contest in the chapel.

That's what I would do if I was the Bishop!

[2bizE]

1. Ban all one-on-one interviews by all members of leadership. Interviewees can pick who they would like to attend with them. No sexually explicit questions ever.
2. The only BP members that sit on the stage are to be the person conducting the meeting and any member of the BP that is speaking that week. Other than that, BP members can sit with their families.
3. Organize community improvement and outreach efforts. Yellow shirts are banned.
4. Bring in outside ministers to teach bible theology.
5. Have a rock play some songs. Encourage all types of music that bring the spirit.
6. Install a projector and screen for multimedia talks.
7. Cancel all church after SM. Maybe have short quorum meeting to organize community outreach events.
8. Make each gospel topic essay a subject for detailed talks in SM. One essay a week. Open the floor up for discussion of the materiel and how people react to it.
9. Teach the words of Christ, not the words of modern "apostles."
10. Coffee, tea, & cocoa social after each service.

These are great ideas. The last one made me think of one of the best things about church is the people. However, after listening to people tack for two hours, I just want to go home. There needs to be an improved social aspect with church so people actually want to be there.
Having an environment where people can unwind, socialize and get to know each other would really change the perspective of church.

[2bizE]

I would send my counselors on a mission and marry their wives!

Oh.. You said Bishop?

I would gather all of the adults and ask them what they want to get out of church? Then implement the ideas I think are fun and doable like hot tub parties in the baptismal font, community theater on the stage, and laser tag in the chapel. Then I would spend the young men's budget on BBQ and beer on a party for the entire ward boundary regardless of actual membership in the church. Then I would ask anyone who wanted to bear their testimony to do so after drinking a minimum of 3 beers. I would allow any and all to partake of the ensuing loud laughter and pray to god it doesn't end in a wet garment t-shirt contest in the chapel.

That's what I would do if I was the Bishop!

Usually garments are boring and frumpy. A wet garment contest would certainly edge up the spice...

[wtfluff]

1. Laugh uncontrollably at the "gift of discernment" at calling a social reject apostate to be bishop.

2. Reply: "No" and exit the building. ("No Thanks" if I'm feeling generous.)

[nibbler]

The BP, heck even the SP, don't wield any 'change things' power. Their power is mostly limited to:

1) Which general conference talks will be read during PH/RS.
2) Which general conference talks will be read during SM.
3) Which order to visit members.

It's one of the blessings/problems with the church. Fifteen people (or maybe even just one) have a voice.

[Phil Lurkerman]

What would you do in this situation?

Quit

[Mormorrisey]

Never. Again.

[Stig]

1. Ban ALL worthiness interviews.

2. Require all references to the "Melchizedek Priesthood" be changed to the "Priesthood after the Holy Order of the Son of God" because calling it "Melchizedek" is a Victory for Satan.

3. Share my disaffection story in the next F&T meeting.

4. Drop the mic.

[alas]

If I get called as bishop, plenty has already changed, as in they must have given the priesthood to women and decided that women are competent human beings, and that men associating with women in mixed gender groups does not necessarily lead to an orgy. That last one seems least likely for the Mormon church, the fear of mixed gender SS presidencies and such just seems like the biggest obsticle to treating women like people.

But I think I would institute pot luck dinners after the block so that people in the ward become a community rather than a bunch of strangers suffering through boring meetings. Or coffee social hour after church. And I would do fun things for the youth...everyone under 99. So, bring back weekday primary as fun activity for children, youth fun activities, RS during the weekday for SAHMs and RS at night weekly for working moms and of course provide babysitting. Same for the men, some kind of weekly activity that is fun and educational both, like RS used to be for the women. Monthly ward socials. Road shows. Pagents. In other words go back to church before Pooh bah Packer got his “priesthood purpose” mits on the church and took all the fun out of it.

[Hagoth]

"Good morning brothers and sisters. I have been called to be your new bishop, but I acknowledge each of you as your own bishop. Please go home and enjoy this lovely day."