[greyfoxx39]

I’ve since begun listening to pastors and preachers and have noticed that they have extensive knowledge on the topic they are addressing. They have the background and education required for them to be able to present the information in such a way that lets the congregants understand/comprehend what is being taught. They know their members and can start presenting topics that are of relevance to the needs of their congregation. Not following a boilerplate schedule that tells them on week 1 of month 6 the topic is _______________.

My “admiration” of no paid clergy has since turned to skepticism because the burden of truth and teaching has been placed squarely on the shoulders of the congregant “teaching/talking” about the topic. Someone who hasn’t been “schooled” in the scripture is not going to be able to address any questions on the topic and may miss very important points in the scripture.

This brings to mind yet ANOTHER one of those bits of "meat"...

In Christian churches, if the pastor is a poor speaker, or is found to be uninformed, one has the option of moving their membership to a different congregation in the same denomination, no problem.

How many investigators are aware that mormons are forced to attend a congregation ASSIGNED TO THEM by the church, and are not allowed to just move to a different ward?

I just read a post by a couple that had moved just a short block away from their previous home and were not allowed to stay in their old congregation in which they and their children had deep roots, including their parents. They were told they had to change congregations because their new home was not in the "ward boundaries" of the old one.

Maybe, SZonian, this is a direct result of the situation you just described. Members can't be allowed to move because the speakers are not effective! Actually, I can remember one Stake President who was a gifted speaker and how I looked forward to hearing him in place of the regular droning "talks" on the infrequent occasions he would visit our ward.

[SZonian]

The ward boundary thing hits home for my wife. When I retired from the AF we moved about 12 miles west and out of the ward boundaries that her dear friends lived in.

She was placed in the local ward. She cried for weeks about the members and the bishopric. She was basically made to feel unwelcome.

She has since started visiting her friends at her old ward once a month.

I believe it is basically cruel to “force” (I use that word a bit loosely) someone to leave behind their family, friends, connections, etc. just because they move across the street or across town.

What business is it of the church if that family wants to drive 50 miles to church or walk across the street?

SZ