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We just had ours reorganized as well. I feel like it was way more Christ centered. Some things were corny or had borrowed theme from previous testimony type of thing.
I don't think it's cultish... People that say that really haven't ever experienced a real cult.
Feels like they just missed the mark.
I think it's healthy if it's just the old bishop and wife , then the new bishop and wife, and they are all asked to prepare brief remarks that are focused on the Savior.
It's the same here in Canada. However, it doesn't bother me at all. Why? Because the outgoing bishopric have just given a tremendous amount of unpaid service and have learned and grown extensively. The incoming bishopric should feel overwhelmed by what they are being asked to do! It's a huge change for most of them. We had a bishop who was a small appliance repairman in his work life, who was now being asked to preside over a mixed ward of students, professionals, senior citizens! What a huge job!
Sounds like it was probably a great meeting. I don’t understand why you think this is a bad thing. Also…cultish? That really doesn’t make any sense. Maybe you meant to use a different word because there’s nothing cult-like about ceremonial leadership change. It happens in many different organizations that don’t even approach the definition of “cult”.
I am a convert to the Church and I have seen 2 changes in Bishops, (my 1st Bishop was called a few months before I was Baptised)
I have not seen this kind of handover take place or a Bishop make such a big deal of their new calling. I am in the UK
Our bishopric here north of SLC was reorganized at the first of the year. The Stake President, who lives in our ward, had the old bishopric and new bishopric plus both bishops wives all give testimonies. They each took 5-7 minutes, but we ended on time.
Please remember that these are human beings, trying to do their best.
In my experience hearing brief remarks from a few of the individuals involved in the transition is pretty normal. If they are kept short and focused I think that's a wonderful thing.
Now, if there's enough of those remarks that the meeting runs 20 minutes over that's too much, and bishopric transitions are known in advance so other speakers should never have been assigned for that day.
It's too bad the meeting went overtime and it sounds like the talks went off topic.
It doesn't seem cultish to me; just about every organization (secular or not) invites a new leader to give a speech. I think it can be a good opportunity for the bishop to explain the basis of the his testimony and introduce himself, which might help ward members want to trust and sustain him.
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I've actually had a very different experience with Bishopric transitions (when doing the whole Bishopric) and really enjoyed those meetings.
- The scheduled speakers for that week are the outgoing and incoming bishoprics. It's on the schedule weeks in advanced, so no other speakers are being postponed / canceled for that week.
- The bishoprics bear testimony of Christ. Outgoing bishops have given some of the sweetest Christ-centered testimonies of Christ, because they are so on the pulse of all the struggles & triumphs members of the ward have had. Being in the Bishopric is such a refining fire. Incoming bishoprics have that... the same "what me Lord? are you sure?" vibe that so many other people in scripture have had. It makes me reflect on myself, so knowing my limitation, but how (with Christ) was can all do great things.
- I do like the "introduce yourself" part of getting to know the new Bishopric. Cause a lot of the time I don't know the new people except in passing. Hearing their stories makes them less of a stranger in my mind, and more approachable when I need something (like renewing my recommend).
- I've actually had non-members at Bishopric change-over meetings. Honestly, they were impressed at the idea of normal folks leading a congregation, liked hearing about Christ, and the normal-people-bumps-and-bruises. It's very different than the background they have of polished professional clergy that seem otherworldly.