“30. Callings in the Church,” Selections from the General Handbook (2023).
“30. Callings in the Church,” Selections from the General Handbook
30.
Callings in the Church
30.0
Introduction
Callings give members opportunities to feel the joy of serving God by serving His children (see Mosiah 2:17). Callings also help members increase their faith and draw closer to the Lord.
It is not appropriate to aspire to specific callings in the Church (see Mark 10:42–45; Doctrine and Covenants 121:34–37). Nor do Church members “advance” from one calling to another. Serving faithfully in a calling is more important than what the calling is. The Lord honors the dedication of all who serve in His Church.
30.1
Determining Whom to Call
30.1.1
General Guidelines
Those who serve in the Church are called of God (see Hebrews 5:4; Articles of Faith 1:5). Leaders seek the guidance of the Spirit in determining whom to call (see also 4.2.6). They also consider:
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The member’s worthiness (as determined in an interview).
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Gifts and abilities the member has, or could develop, to bless others.
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The member’s personal circumstances, including his or her health and work.
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The impact the calling may have on the member’s marriage and family.
Members are blessed for sacrifices they make to serve in the Church. However, a calling should not place undue burdens on individuals and families. Nor should callings make it difficult for members to fulfill their employment responsibilities.
Generally, each member is called to serve in only one calling at a time, in addition to being a ministering brother or sister.
When extending a calling to a married member, leaders ensure that the spouse is aware and supportive of the calling. Before extending a calling to a young man or young woman, leaders obtain approval from a parent or guardian.
Before a calling is extended, the bishop carefully reviews the person’s membership record to verify that it does not include an annotation or formal membership restrictions.
30.1.2
Callings for New Members
Opportunities to serve help members grow spiritually.
Ward leaders give new members opportunities to serve soon after they are baptized and confirmed.
30.1.3
Callings for Those Who Are Not Members
People who are not members of the Church may be called to some positions, such as organist, music director, or a calling to help plan activities. However, they should not be called as teachers, as quorum or organization presidency members, or as Primary music leaders.
30.1.4
Confidentiality
Callings and releases are sacred. Because of this, leaders keep information about proposed callings and releases confidential.
30.1.5
Recommendations and Approvals for Callings
The Chart of Callings indicates who may make recommendations for each calling and who gives approval (see 30.8).
Bishops and stake presidents carefully consider each recommendation, recognizing that it has been prayerfully made. The bishopric or stake presidency has final responsibility to receive inspiration about whom to call.
30.2
Extending a Calling
Receiving a call to serve should be a meaningful spiritual experience for a member.
When a leader extends a calling, he explains that it has come from the Lord.
The leader may also:
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Explain the purpose, importance, and responsibilities of the calling.
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Encourage the member to seek the Spirit of the Lord in fulfilling the calling.
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Testify that the Lord will help the member and will bless him or her for serving faithfully.
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Tell the member who will provide training and support for the calling.
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Inform the member of any meetings he or she should attend and any resources that are available.
30.3
Sustaining Members in Callings
Those who are called to most Church positions should be presented for sustaining before they begin serving (see Doctrine and Covenants 28:13; 42:11).
The person who conducts the sustaining first announces who was released from the position (if applicable). He invites members to give an expression of thanks for the person’s service (see 30.6).
When presenting a person for sustaining, an authorized priesthood leader invites him or her to stand. The leader may use wording like the following:
“[Name] has been called as [position]. Those in favor of sustaining [him or her] may show it by the uplifted hand. [Pause briefly.] Those opposed, if any, may also show it. [Pause briefly.]”
If a member in good standing opposes the calling, the presiding leader or another assigned priesthood leader meets with him or her in private after the meeting.
30.4
Setting Apart Members to Serve in Callings
For more information, see 18.11.
30.6
Releasing Members from Callings
When a president or bishop is released, his or her counselors are released automatically.
Extending a release is an important opportunity for a leader to express gratitude and to acknowledge God’s hand in the member’s service. The leader meets with the member personally to inform him or her of the release before it is announced publicly. Only those who need to know are informed of a release before it is announced.
An authorized priesthood leader announces the release in the same setting where the person was sustained. The leader may use words like the following:
“[Name] has been released as [position]. Those who would like to express thanks for [his or her] service may show it by the uplifted hand.”
The leader does not ask if anyone opposes.
30.8
Chart of Callings
30.8.1
Calling |
Recommended by |
Approved by |
Sustained by |
Called and set apart by |
---|---|---|---|---|
Calling | Recommended by Stake presidency, using LCR | Approved by First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve | Sustained by Ward members | Called and set apart by Stake president after receiving approval from the First Presidency |
Calling | Recommended by Bishop | Approved by Stake presidency and high council | Sustained by Ward members | Called and set apart by Stake president or an assigned counselor |
Calling | Recommended by Bishopric | Approved by Stake presidency and high council | Sustained by Ward members | Called and set apart by Stake president or an assigned counselor or high councilor |
Calling | Recommended by Bishopric | Approved by Stake presidency and high council | Sustained by Ward members | Called and set apart by Stake president or an assigned counselor or high councilor |
Calling | Recommended by Stake presidency (in consultation with the bishop) | Approved by Stake presidency and high council | Sustained by Ward members | Called and set apart by Stake president |
Calling | Recommended by Quorum president (in consultation with the bishop) | Approved by Stake presidency and high council | Sustained by Ward members | Called and set apart by Stake president or an assigned counselor or high councilor |
Calling Other elders quorum callings | Recommended by Quorum presidency | Approved by Bishopric | Sustained by Quorum members | Called and set apart by Quorum president or an assigned counselor |
Calling Ward organization presidents | Recommended by Bishopric | Approved by Bishopric | Sustained by Ward members | Called and set apart by Bishop |
Calling Counselors in ward organization presidencies | Recommended by Organization president | Approved by Bishopric | Sustained by Ward members | Called and set apart by Bishop or an assigned counselor |
Calling Other ward Relief Society, Young Women, Primary, and Sunday School callings | Recommended by Organization presidency | Approved by Bishopric | Sustained by Ward members | Called and set apart by Bishop or an assigned counselor |
Calling | Recommended by Bishopric (in consultation with the elders quorum and Relief Society presidents) | Approved by Bishopric | Sustained by Ward members | Called and set apart by Bishop or an assigned counselor |
Calling | Recommended by Bishopric or elders quorum and Relief Society presidents | Approved by Bishopric | Sustained by Ward members | Called and set apart by Bishop or an assigned counselor |
Calling | Recommended by Bishopric (in consultation with the elders quorum and Relief Society presidents) | Approved by Bishopric | Sustained by Ward members | Called and set apart by Bishop or an assigned counselor |
Calling | Recommended by Bishop (as the priests quorum president) | Approved by Bishopric | Sustained by Quorum members | Called and set apart by Bishop |
Calling | Recommended by Bishopric | Approved by Bishopric | Sustained by Quorum members | Called and set apart by Called by the bishop or an assigned counselor; set apart by the bishop |
Calling Counselors in the teachers and deacons quorum presidencies and quorum secretaries | Recommended by Quorum president | Approved by Bishopric | Sustained by Quorum members | Called and set apart by Bishop or an assigned counselor |
Calling | Recommended by Bishopric (in consultation with the Young Women presidency) | Approved by Bishopric | Sustained by Class members | Called and set apart by Bishop or an assigned counselor |
Calling Counselors in Young Women class presidencies and class secretaries | Recommended by Class president | Approved by Bishopric | Sustained by Class members | Called and set apart by Bishop or an assigned counselor |
Calling Interpreters if needed | Recommended by Bishopric | Approved by Bishopric | Sustained by Ward members | Called and set apart by Bishop or an assigned counselor |
Calling Other ward callings | Recommended by Bishopric | Approved by Bishopric | Sustained by Ward members | Called and set apart by Bishop or an assigned counselor |
30.8.2
Calling |
Recommended by |
Approved by |
Sustained by |
Called and set apart by | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Calling | Recommended by Stake, mission, or district presidency | Approved by Stake presidency and high council or mission presidency | Sustained by Branch members | Called and set apart by Stake or mission president (or the district president if assigned) | ||||||||||||
Calling | Recommended by Branch president | Approved by Stake presidency and high council or mission presidency (or, when authorized by the mission president, the district presidency) | Sustained by Branch members | Called and set apart by Stake, mission, or district president or an assigned counselor | ||||||||||||
Calling | Recommended by Branch presidency | Approved by Stake presidency and high council or mission presidency (or, when authorized by the mission president, the district presidency) | Sustained by Branch members | Called and set apart by Stake president or an assigned counselor or high councilor (for branches in stakes); district president or a priesthood leader he assigns (for branches in missions) | ||||||||||||
Calling | Recommended by Stake, district, or mission presidency (in consultation with the branch president) | Approved by Stake presidency and high council or mission presidency (or, when authorized by the mission president, the district presidency) | Sustained by Branch members | Called and set apart by Stake or mission president (or the district president if assigned) | ||||||||||||
Calling | Recommended by Quorum president (in consultation with the branch president) | Approved by Stake presidency and high council or mission presidency (or, when authorized by the mission president, the district presidency) | Sustained by Branch members | Called and set apart by Stake or mission president or an assigned counselor or high councilor (or the district president or another priesthood leader if assigned) | ||||||||||||
Calling Other branch callings | Recommended by See 30.8.1, substituting branch president for bishop and branch for ward. | Approved by See 30.8.1, substituting branch president for bishop and branch for ward. | Sustained by See 30.8.1, substituting branch president for bishop and branch for ward. | Called and set apart by See 30.8.1, substituting branch president for bishop and branch for ward. |