I know this thread is over a week old, but it just seems wrong to let JWL’s self-depecrating remark slide by with no rebuttal. Jim, I know you didn’t comment on this post with the intent to solicit any sympathy or praise but honestly, I can’t belive you have the effrontery to insult yourself like that.

You are, by far, the most insightful and well-prepared SS teacher I’ve ever had in my life. In fact, a friend of mine (non-LDS) attended one of your lessons and said it was the best Bible study session she had EVER been to.

Okay, I’m done.

I’m in a little bit different, but similar situation. I haven’t attended my own Ward for several months now, after a difficult confrontation with my leaders last spring.

I did end of up going to a number of different wards, including one in SLC where I played their pipe organ.

But I determined to come back after Labor Day. Last Sunday, I returned to my own Ward, and was surprisingly welcomed and embraced by many people there. I ended up accompanying the hymns on piano (the pipe organ isn’t yet re-installed) and heard from many people afterward, some tearful, asking if I had returned permanently.

You see, I commune most fully through the music in the ward. Given my training, background (with admitted social failures), one would think that I would always be given music to do.

But since Sunday, my Bishop emailed me to say that I would not be asked to do music, if indeed I’m returning to the ward. So, my answer to him was, I’ll have to find another ward who will let me play the pipe organ.

Quirky pride, I know. Well, there it is, in a nutshell.

For awhile I took it quite personally — feeling that I had been singled out and that my leaders were deliberately making sure to not put me in callings that involved teaching or instruction.

I did manage to learn some things in my other callings and came to appreciate them. Still, having a treasured calling and then losing it sure can be hard sometimes.

Your thoughts were quite timely for me, given that I have been Ward Mission Leader for about 3 years, and am about to be released. I was asked a few weeks ago if I wanted a change, and I said no. But about a week ago, I realized that I meant “yes,” and I informed the Bishop accordingly. I can’t be sure I’ll be released soon, but I suspect I will (especially if I stop showing up for PEC meetings. Oh wait, I’ve already stopped showing up for PEC meetings…)

Serving as Ward Mission Leader has been great fun. I get to tell all my bad jokes and annoying stories to each pair of elders, and as soon as I run out (or they get fed up), transfers come around, and I get a new victim or two. I also enjoy observing and taking part in the conversion process of new members. It’s like being a missionary again, only I have more money, get to watch T.V., and don’t have to wear a plaque. Hooray.

I imagine I will rstill emain Gospel Essentials teacher and part-time Elders Quorum instructior for some time to come. I also quite enjoy these callings. I’ve never been a Gospel Doctrine teacher, and haven’t wanted to be, until recently. I’m beginning to think it’s an experience I’d like to have. One way or another, I do want to retain a teaching position. I’m not sure what I’d do without one.

Aaron B

I think I am pretty safe from being released since I have only been in less than two months. :)

I have to say that the worst release I had was being released as elders quorum president. I had a LOT of spiritual experiences and felt very close to the brethren of my quorum, that I felt a great loss when I was released. There was a strong parallel to being released as a missionary.

In both cases, I felt a mantle leave me and both times, it was hard for me.

I hate to see a grown man cry, expecially when he is old, like me.

While I understand that the challenges of a calling can often strengthen our spirits, I never quite understood why my bishops used this reasoning week after week to defend themselves at the pulpit, yet left our scoutmaster in his calling for over 40 years. (Talk about a calling that warrants spiritual growth).

More generally, it’s interesting to observe the Mormon habit of trying to guess why a Bishop makes various callings. Sometimes it merely seems like an exercise in trying to find a way around the simple explanation that the Bishop made a mistake, as if the truth of the gospel rests on a claim of the Bishop’s infallibility. I would offer the possibility that your reassignment was a mistake, except for the fact you mentioned you served as SS teacher longer than anyone in recorded history. Maybe it was just time for a change.