THE ELEVEN BASICS OF BISHOPRIC WORK I believe that no person called to become a bishop who has not felt the weight of the responsibility of the calling. The bishop’s work can be intimidating and as many will find out also overwhelming. After all, the work of ‘bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of man’ is an awesome task. All types of men of varying abilities, experiences and training have been called to become a bishop. Even those who appear most qualified will feel inadequate in doing the job. It is a natural tendency for anyone to feel that his abilities are not commensurate to fill the enormous responsibility of this calling. If you have just been called a bishop and you feel this way, you are not alone. However, please be assured that the Lord will always qualify whom He calls provided you serve with humility and diligence. “No matter who we are – no matter our talents, abilities, financial resources, education or experience – we can all serve in the kingdom. He who calls us will qualify us for the work if we will serve with humility, prayer, diligence, and faith. Perhaps we feel inadequate. Maybe we doubt ourselves, think that what we have to offer the Lord personally is too slight to even be noticed. The Lord is well aware of our mortality. He knows our weaknesses. He understands the challenges of our everyday lives.” [Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, “Following in Faith,” Liahona, July 2003.] The bishop holds the priesthood keys to preside over a ward and direct the work of the Church in the ward. He and his counselors minister to ward members in love, helping “bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” [Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 1, p. 11] “A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;” “Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.” [1 Tim. 3:2-6] “If any officer in the Church has my sympathy, it is the bishop. If any officer in the Church deserves credit for patience, for long-suffering, kindness, charity, and for love unfeigned, it is the bishop who does his duty. And we feel to sustain in our faith and love, the bishops and counselors in Zion.” [Joseph Fielding Smith, Apr. C. R., 1907, p. 4.] There are fundamentals to the bishop’s work and if followed as prescribed in the handbooks, you can feel the good success that God has promised. (Joshua 1:8). Perhaps no other calling in the Church demands so much from one man. This is the reason why no other calling in the Church is filled with many joys and rewards for dedicated service. I am writing this article to outline what constitutes the basics of an effective bishopric work. The details of such work are contained in the Church Handbook of Instructions and the scriptures. My intention is to help you see a workable strategy to accomplish what might seem like an overwhelming task. Please consider using these strategies and as you do so, you will gradually feel confident and competent in fulfilling the bishop’s role. In fact, you will find yourself enjoying the bishop’s work. Although I have not had the honor and privilege of being a bishop myself, I have taught many bishops these principles as a stake president. Where they have been implemented as I taught them, they have achieved great success. I have seen and proven it to work! Obviously, these principles may be used by stake presidents as well. I have personally applied these principles as stake president and achieved good success in the process.
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