Bishops and Branch Presidents…
One question you may have is whether the ward YM presidency was already officially released at General Conference where it was announced that the callings of YM presidencies “have been discontinued at the ward level.” Or should they be officially released in the ward?
Answer: We recommend you extend an official release to the ward YM presidency members only when the bishopric is ready to assume full “ownership” of the Aaronic Priesthood program with the assistance of the advisers and specialists. As you’ll remember, this transition should happen no later than the end of the year; we hope it would happen much sooner than that.
When that transition occurs, please extend an “official” release to each member of your ward/branch YM presidency and recognize them for their service by releasing them over the pulpit, as you would other callings.
Bishoprics are figuring out that these YM presidency members may continue to play a role in the youth program by being called as “specialists” so there is always double coverage in AP quorum meetings and activities so bishopric members have the flexibility to visit the Primary and Young Women on occasion.
When you officially release the YM presidency over the pulpit, you may want to clarify with ward members that technically there is no longer a Young Men’s program in the ward, but simply an Aaronic Priesthood program presided over by the Bishopric as the presidency of the Aaronic Priesthood. Moreover, each AP quorum also has a presidency with a president who hold priesthood keys.
I hope this is helpful,
President Lewis
No comments:
Post a Comment