What are the consequences of turning down a calling?
Question
Gramps,
What are the consequences of turning down a calling? And, does it matter which calling one turns down; a nursery leader as opposed to Relief Society President, Stake President?
Hal
Answer
Hal,
Considering a calling can be a daunting decision to face for several reasons. The calling being offered should have a part to play in the decision, and I’ll explain why.
Callings can be challenging. Indeed, it’s almost a constant condition. Many times the calling being offered is an opportunity for personal growth and testimony. Being intimidated by a calling is not unusual either. Jonah ran away from his calling at first, and Moses didn’t feel he spoke well enough. However, sometimes declining a calling is the right choice. Sometimes the time requried to give to the calling would put a family in too much of a bind. Sometimes social anxieties are simply too great.
On the other hand, there are tremendous blessings to be had by accepting the challenge of growing into positive areas of our lives where we aren’t yet comfortable. Growing is never easy, and spiritual growth is certainly no exception. While our own progress is certainly part of any calling, the positive influence we can have on those we serve in our calling should also be considered.
The consequences of turning down a calling, so far as my experience has taught me, are limited to almost none, if any. Of course there may be a loss of blessings associated with fulfilling a challenging calling. Our loving Heavenly Father would no doubt love to drown us in blessings, however we must prepare ourselves to be at the right place at the right time to receive them, however that is accomplished. There certainly should not be any punishment handed down from church leadership. After all, callings are volunteer positions. I can tell you for myself, that I haven’t seen any such behavior in such cases. If I, as an example, were to truly feel I wasn’t the right fit for a gospel doctrine instructor calling, I have to believe that Christ would understand fully, and select someone else to fill the need. I also believe he would have in mind other ways for me to grow that might be a better fit. After all, He does know us very well.
At the end of the day, it is between the leader extending the calling, and the one being called, and the Lord. A prayerful consideration of any calling is never a bad idea. I’ve had my share of challenging callings, and fulfilling them has been a true blessing to me, and my family. However, if you were to truly feel you shouldn’t accept a calling, the first step would be to discuss your concerns with the one extending the calling to you. As long as prayer is involved, the right answer will come out.
Gramps
As I was told once, it is a calling , not an asking. I believe that it is inappropriate to turn down a calling , but more appropriate to discuss the concerns with the individual extending the calling and let him decide if the calling should continue to be extended or not
Baloney.
Leaders are not perfect and they do make mistakes. It is entirely possible that they extended a calling inappropriately or to the wrong person, or at the wrong time. There are very valid reasons for turning callings down.
I usually love gramps answers but in this case I have to provide an alternate thought. Gramps answer is probably acceptable if you feel the call is from the leader caling you. But once you have a conviction, because you actively sought it, that this is the Lords church and he is the one calling you, everything changes. There is lots of counsel available from prophets that callings should not be turned down, in any case, ever. For that to be true to assumption would need to be in our minds that the Lord is aware of our circumstances and is making this call exactly because it is what we need. It is not a matter of having our turn or fair share of anything. it is a matter of faith. And when we tell the Lord, NO, he will respect our agency but the spirit will withdraw from us at some level leaving us open to deception. Please search for counsel on this from the prophets before considering to reject a call from the Lord on anything. Even a call to the nursery. Its a matter of faith and conversion. Thanks.
I turned down a calling because I was leaving the state in a few days–leaving, moving for good.
There are some legitimate reasons to turn down a calling or ask to be released. One would be worthiness. Other reasons would be moving out of the ward, already having another calling, and health factors.
An example of what I mean by “health factors”: I had one calling that I accepted and was very enthusiastic about, but it ended up stressing me out to the point where I was very ill after my first day in. I asked my bishop if I could be honorably released because my health changed so dramatically in a short time. If offered the same calling again, I would probably have to turn it down due to how badly it affects me.
I received a Priesthood blessing from my husband concerning the matter… I was told that it was wise of me to use my agency to protect my health and that there will be other callings to help prepare me for the next steps in my eternal progression. I was also told that the Lord does not condemn my decision because He knew my intent and that my health is a priority over callings.
While turning down a calling just because may not be the best idea, I think the Lord knows our reasons for it more than anyone else does.
Once I was extended a calling which I accepted. The BP said that he would not have extended the calling himself but this calling was from the Lord. I expressed my opinion that I would not have called me to that calling either. He ask me to pray about a confirmation. I did so and received a confirmation that it was from the Lord. I told the BP that I had received a confirmation of the calling. He was glad to know this just as a confirmation of his following the spirit.
I did not turn this calling down, but I did tell our stake president that I was hesitant. When he asked why I told him that I was the only scoutmaster for our ward, the deacons quorum adviser, and the elders quorum secretary. I told him I had no idea how I could handle another calling. He told me that if I accepted this calling that I would be released from all my other callings but that he did not want to give up a scoutmaster.