Our bishopric is trying that very thing this year: giving calling that will us grow.

Recently I was called to play piano for Primary… if more Bishops took this approach the above issues might go away… he figured it was a calling that I could use to grow with.. SINCE I DID not really play the piano.. but had the desire to learn how. (After trying for 40 years…with not much luck.. 2 yrs later I am now able to play with both hands and can even play some of the harder Primary songs….. because I have the calling.

Too bad more Bishops don’t look at what the person needs to learn instead of which one would be able to do the calling perfectly already? Of course that would take patience on everyone else’s part with those who are still learning…. wouldn’t that be ideal!!

You think music is a “soft skill”? :) I assume you are being facetious. (I think everyone should be thanked for whatever).

A musician may not be in as high demand as a lawyer, or require the same university education, but it often takes harder work and much more time to perfect those skills, and lots of use. I am a trained singer. That, I kept up (though I don’t use it as much anymore as I used to, one day I will again, for the time being I practice and sing in church) but I didn’t keep up my piano playing and so that suffered and I barely play it now. Musicians of all types have to work so very hard at their skills, from my point of view, anyway.

How then would you feel if that was your calling in the church? How would you feel if no matter what ward / stake you lived in, you always got that as your calling? How would you feel if you never had a change for 20 years straight?

Just think of the possibilities!!! On your ward’s night to have the building, you would have your own little office in the church where members could come and take advantage of your skills and knowledge. And on Sundays, in addition to all the classes and quorum meetings, you could sit and give legal advice as well! You’d never get a break and everyone would just expect it.

So when you’re a bishop, please consider giving those stuck in a “calling rut” a change of scenery. :-)

I feel the most sorry for piano players. They are stuck in that calling no matter what else they can do, especially if the ward has no other piano players.

If both parties were in agreement, you could always extend for another term, but sometimes knowing there is no end in sight is disheartening.

Even when there is an end in sight, it can be overwhelming at times.