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President Russell M. Nelson said in the October general conference that the bishop’s “first and foremost responsibility” is to care for the youth of his ward.
As Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles announced organizational changes to make youth a more significant focus — which included dissolving ward Young Men presidencies — he said, “We are confident that more young men and young women will rise to the challenge and stay on the covenant path because of this laser-like focus on our youth.”
But for a bishop who has a plate full of responsibilities, this “laser-like focus” on the youth might be easier said than done.
Many bishops initially felt overwhelmed in response to these organizational changes. Some bishops wondered how they would be able to manage all of their ward duties — duties that seemed to increase with the thought of releasing the ward Young Men presidencies.
“The concern many bishops have is that without a Young Men presidency, they are going to be saddled with extra responsibility. That isn’t the truth,” said Brother Stephen W. Owen, Young Men general president.
“A bishop has always been the president of the Aaronic Priesthood. He still is. And he is still going to have the same number of adult leaders involved. The purpose is to bring the youth closer to the bishop.”
Though much is expected of bishops, they are not alone as they serve the ward. As the elders quorum and Relief Society presidencies take initiative and the bishop continues to delegate, he will be able to focus on strengthening youth — the rising leaders of the next generation.
What elders quorum and Relief Society presidencies can do:
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MichaelNovember 14, 2019
Medium-sized Protestant churches large enough to afford 4 or 5 full-time ministers generally have it divided up like this: Senior minister who spends most of his time preparing to preach on Sunday and sort of oversees the rest, music minister who leads the praise band in more than half a dozen songs during worship services plus a choir, operational pastor who runs the business-like aspects like issue callings and announcements and plan events, women and children minister who parallels our RS and primary presidents, and last but not least the youth minister. Protestant churches are subject to strong market forces and if the church doesn't function well, people more easily move to another congregation. So this plan generally has been found to work. I see differences with us, but this change in focus of the bishop is sort of like making the bishop the youth minister. It will require adjustments but it will work.