I would say the purpose of stake conference is to get together with other members of the stake. When you stay in one ward all the time, you only get to know those people. It's nice to feel that you're part of something bigger.
Ward Conference provides a good opportunity for stake leaders to check in with their counterparts. It gives the stake presidency an opportunity to speak in all of the wards at least once a year. Stake Conference, however, seems to provide an opportunity for members to take a week off to travel or visit family since they are relieved of the obligation to fulfill their ward-level callings.
I have spent the last 10 years serving in a stake presidency and have planned close to 20 staje conferences. My sense is that state conferences and Ward conferences are mostly about creating positive energy for unit leaders. When a general Authority comes and presides at the stake conference most of their energy and time is spent ministering to the members of the stake and to the stake leaders. And that is incredibly valuable since it's not very often that anyone thinks to minister to their stake president.
Also, it has been my experience that the most spiritual meeting every 6 months that I attend is the Saturday evening adult session of stake conference. I can't say exactly why that is, but generally the quality of that meeting and the power of the spirit is intense. It is the case that about 30% of people who attend Sacramento regularly each week do not attend stake conference, for a variety of reasons. Having said that, I certainly strive to prepare a good meeting and good remarks. In fact, leading a stake conference and figuring out what to say is one of the most difficult aspects of the calling and requires much prayer and fasting. I know that I used to be far too casual in my attitude toward this meeting and the value I could get out of both attending and implementing the counsel received there.
Still, you make some good points about the why and wherefore of it all.
I’m trying to understand the true purpose of your question in this essay. I appreciate your effort to put pen to paper, and I’ll do my best to honestly participate by answering your invitation.
I do believe it important to think purposely, choosing conformity to principle as opposed to mere compliance with a rule. I believe the Savior is asking for our hearts. He encourages us to be present in each and every moment, not missing any opportunity to progress and to love.
I attend ward and stake conferences because I look forward to hearing the messages prepared and presented specifically for our ward and or stake, and for me. I see them as important administratively as you’ve suggested, and from an historical perspective I discern as you stated, their purpose as checking in locally by leadership. But isn’t it equally as important that we as local membership take responsibility for our end of these relationships? What would Christ do in either position? Or how would you think differently if Christ were in attendance as a stake or general authority, or if He’s sitting in the congregation? Are we not all trying to take upon ourselves the name of Christ? Is that how we bring Christ into this place, by how we bring ourselves?
I feel it’s my responsibility to engage in any meeting/gathering I’m attending. If I’m choosing to participate, I can choose how I am present…or even how I present myself. Am I really engaged? Am I choosing to be there, to sustain and support? To listen with my heart? To show gratitude for the preparation given by those that have prepared their portion of the meeting?
Do I believe we’ve all been called by God to our current positions? If so, then I’m attending all my meetings because I’m answering God’s call to lift and sustain. I want to hear, see, feel and respond positively to all stimuli, I want everyone to know I love them. I am trying to be more like Jesus💜 Because of Jesus, because of His Atonement I can transform, we all can transform, becoming more like Jesus💜
Thank you for making this effort to write. Now I believe I better understand your question, as well as my core reason for all that I do with every breath I take…every move I make. I’m trying to be more like Jesus.
It feels to me like SC is purely administrative.......we waste loads of time sustaining stake callings and the general leadership of the church. Honestly, for that reason I gave them up YEARS ago. Sitting on a hard metal chair in a very crowded gym with awful acoustics is just miserable. ~Cynthia
I would say the purpose of stake conference is to get together with other members of the stake. When you stay in one ward all the time, you only get to know those people. It's nice to feel that you're part of something bigger.
Ward Conference provides a good opportunity for stake leaders to check in with their counterparts. It gives the stake presidency an opportunity to speak in all of the wards at least once a year. Stake Conference, however, seems to provide an opportunity for members to take a week off to travel or visit family since they are relieved of the obligation to fulfill their ward-level callings.
I have spent the last 10 years serving in a stake presidency and have planned close to 20 staje conferences. My sense is that state conferences and Ward conferences are mostly about creating positive energy for unit leaders. When a general Authority comes and presides at the stake conference most of their energy and time is spent ministering to the members of the stake and to the stake leaders. And that is incredibly valuable since it's not very often that anyone thinks to minister to their stake president.
Also, it has been my experience that the most spiritual meeting every 6 months that I attend is the Saturday evening adult session of stake conference. I can't say exactly why that is, but generally the quality of that meeting and the power of the spirit is intense. It is the case that about 30% of people who attend Sacramento regularly each week do not attend stake conference, for a variety of reasons. Having said that, I certainly strive to prepare a good meeting and good remarks. In fact, leading a stake conference and figuring out what to say is one of the most difficult aspects of the calling and requires much prayer and fasting. I know that I used to be far too casual in my attitude toward this meeting and the value I could get out of both attending and implementing the counsel received there.
Still, you make some good points about the why and wherefore of it all.
I’m trying to understand the true purpose of your question in this essay. I appreciate your effort to put pen to paper, and I’ll do my best to honestly participate by answering your invitation.
I do believe it important to think purposely, choosing conformity to principle as opposed to mere compliance with a rule. I believe the Savior is asking for our hearts. He encourages us to be present in each and every moment, not missing any opportunity to progress and to love.
I attend ward and stake conferences because I look forward to hearing the messages prepared and presented specifically for our ward and or stake, and for me. I see them as important administratively as you’ve suggested, and from an historical perspective I discern as you stated, their purpose as checking in locally by leadership. But isn’t it equally as important that we as local membership take responsibility for our end of these relationships? What would Christ do in either position? Or how would you think differently if Christ were in attendance as a stake or general authority, or if He’s sitting in the congregation? Are we not all trying to take upon ourselves the name of Christ? Is that how we bring Christ into this place, by how we bring ourselves?
I feel it’s my responsibility to engage in any meeting/gathering I’m attending. If I’m choosing to participate, I can choose how I am present…or even how I present myself. Am I really engaged? Am I choosing to be there, to sustain and support? To listen with my heart? To show gratitude for the preparation given by those that have prepared their portion of the meeting?
Do I believe we’ve all been called by God to our current positions? If so, then I’m attending all my meetings because I’m answering God’s call to lift and sustain. I want to hear, see, feel and respond positively to all stimuli, I want everyone to know I love them. I am trying to be more like Jesus💜 Because of Jesus, because of His Atonement I can transform, we all can transform, becoming more like Jesus💜
Thank you for making this effort to write. Now I believe I better understand your question, as well as my core reason for all that I do with every breath I take…every move I make. I’m trying to be more like Jesus.
It feels to me like SC is purely administrative.......we waste loads of time sustaining stake callings and the general leadership of the church. Honestly, for that reason I gave them up YEARS ago. Sitting on a hard metal chair in a very crowded gym with awful acoustics is just miserable. ~Cynthia
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