jdcofc

Given to the church on Sunday. Words of Counsel Presented at the 2013 World Conference Until recently I thought words of counsel would not be given before or during the 2013 World Conference. However, over the past months, as I have prayed for the church and the world we serve, I have been surprised by regular promptings of the Spirit to offer words of counsel again. Some themes of this counsel have been presented previously. Evidently, it is important to highlight and further clarify certain principles to advance the response God desires. Other parts of the counsel, while clearly related to previous instruction, begin to open new horizons for living the meaning of true community in Christ. <Mod edit Copyright concerns>

The Community of Christ World Conference singing this hymn on the Saturday, the opening session of World Conference! This is my favorite hymn! World Conference 2013 Daily Updates

I assume that the spirit was leading towards Grant being the prophet. I assume that is who Wallace B Smith designated. As for us in the forefront is a traditional belief that many have abandoned but I still believe it. I honestly feel that we are being divinely led. As revelation has confirmed , even with the name change. No sexism was intended at all! I don't under estimate the faith and work women have done it the church at all. After all, look at Emma Smith and what role she played in the reorganization! I believe that all are called despite their age, skin color, sex, or who they love.

This is actually a very controversial issue right now. In D&C 164 it states that we should convene national conferences to sort through issues that may or may not be acceptable from one nation to another. Our USA National Conference will be next weekend in Independende, MO. The issue being discussed and voted on will be allowing those is a committed homosexual relationship to be ordained, to allow priesthood to perform same sex marriages to be performed in areas where it is legal, and to have comittment ceremonies where marriage isn't possible. Canada and Austrailia have already passed it. There hasn't been revelation about the exact issue yet but I think it will be mentioned in the words of counsel to the church this Sunday by our prophet.

In the 1980's, is was passed that women could be ordained to the priesthood in the Community of Christ. (RLDS at the time!) In our church, priesthood callings are initiated by the pastor, mission center president, ect. It is a divine calling a people can sense that. If the pastor, ect sense a call for a person they will pray about it and discuss the call with their counselors or the MCP. If they feel that this person does have a call to the priesthood, they will initiate it. Once it is approved, the individual will be approached about the call and they have one year to accept or deny it. In the 80's the problem was that people were sensing a call for women in their congregations. Women felt a call to the priesthood and eventually pastors and other authoritative figures began to sense these calls and we received revelation that it was the will of God that women be ordained. In our D&C 156:8-11 " It is my will that my priesthood be made up of those who have an abiding faith and desire to serve me with all their hearts, in humility and with great devotion. Therefore, where there are those who are not now functioning in their priesthood, let inquiry be made by the proper administrative officers, according to the provisions of the law, to determine the continuing nature of their commitment. I have heard the prayers of many, including my servant the prophet, as they have sought to know my will in regard to the question of who shall be called to share to burdens and responsibilities of priesthood in my church. I say to you now, as I have said in the past, that all are called according to the gifts which have been given them. This applies to priesthood as well as to any other aspects of the work. Therefore, do not wonder that some women of the church are being called to priesthood responsibilities. This is in harmony with my will and where these call are made known to my servants, they may be processed according to the administrative procedures and provisions of the law. Nevertheless, in the ordaining of women to priesthood, let this be done with all deliberateness. Before the actual laying on of hands takes place, let specific guidelines and instructions be provided by the spiritual authorities, that all may be done in order. Remember, in many places there is still much uncertainty and misunderstanding regarding the principles of calling and giftedness. There are persons whose burden in this regard will require that considerable labor and ministerial support be provided. This should be extended with prayer and tenderness of feeling, that all may be blessed with the full power of my reconciling Spirit. Dear Saints, have courage for the task which is yours in bringing to pass the cause of Zion. Prepare yourselves through much study and earnest prayer. Then, as you go forth to witness of my love and my concern for all persons, you will know the joy which comes from devoting yourselves completely to the work of the kingdom. To this end will my Spirit be with you. Amen. - Wallace B. Smith As the Community of Christ faces issues that arise within the church, I can't help but to notice that the will of God is directing the church. I have always grown up with the belief that the Community of Christ (RLDS) is the one true church and we are called to be in the forefront leading the way. I don't necessarily believe that we are the one true church, but I do believe that God is leading us to do his will. It seems like we tackle issues before the other branches of the Latter Day Saint movement. I hope that the LDS will start ordaining women to the priesthood. I know that you will be blessed by their ministry as I have. I don't think a person's sex, would determine whether or not God can use them to build the kingdom.

I believe that we have taken some things out of the D&C that you may still use. We do add to the D&C. Section 164 was given to us last. Our World Conference starts on Sunday and then next weekend we will have our USA National Conference. Steve Veazey, our Prophet/President has released a statement that he will give another "Words of Counsel" to the church Sunday night at conference. I don't think it will be submitted to the D&C but I don't now for sure! Section 156 was given to the church through Wallace B. Smith and was the inclusion for women to be ordained to the priesthood. I don't think that it was because people felt that it was "unfair," I think that it was just an overwhelming sense of calling people felt for women. As for the name change, that happened in 2001. As for our church moving away from the teachings of Joseph Smith, I would say that it varies. It depends on where you are. In the area that I am in here in southern Ohio, it has a rich history in the church. The first RLDS congregation that was started in Ohio is about 30 minutes from here and it was started in 1880. A missionary from that congregation came to this area and planted a congregation in 1912. It started in 1904 but wasn't established as a congregation until 1912. There are now 4 congregations within 20 minutes of each other. Many people in this area still like to follow the more traditional practices of the church and still use the Book or Mormon. We did have people leave and start a Restorationist congregation when women were able to be ordained. I have never understood why they had a problem with that, but I have been blessed by ministry that was provided by women and honestly wish they would open themselves up to experience that. If I am not mistaken, our priesthood structure is quite different also. We have the Deacons, Teachers, Priests, Elders, Seventy, High Priest, Bishop, Evangelist, Apostles, First Presidency, Prophet/President. The Seventy, High Priest, Bishop, Evangelists are broke down into Quorums. There is a President of Seventy for each quorum. There is a quorum of High Priest, and also a presiding Bishop over the order of Bishopric and a presiding Evangelist over the order of Evangelist. Then there is a Standing High Counsel and the World Church Leadership Counsel. These are counsels to help with issues that are facing the church so that broader discussion can be used to help find solutions to problems and issues that may arise in the church. To be called to the priesthood in our church I think is quite different from the LDS. In our church a pastor is typically the one who senses and initiates a call to the priesthood for the office of Deacon, Teacher, Priest and Elder. The Mission Center president can initiate those calls if he/she feels that there is a call for someone in the pastor's immediate family. It is a little confusing! Pastors that are in the Aaronic PH cannot initiate a call for someone to the office of Elder. Deacons and teachers cannot perform any of the sacraments and Priests can only ordain those that are ordained to the office of Priest, Teacher or Deacon. Priesthood calls are something that is divinely given to those in the proper authority so that they feel a sense of calling for that person and is often needed to be confirmed by at least 3 other people in the congregational/mission center leadership that someone does indeed have a call to the priesthood. After it has been approved, the individual is approached and they have one year to respond with a yes or no to accept the call. Calls to the priesthood in offices other than these have to be initiated by the Mission Center President, quorum presidents or apostles. It doesn't matter what age or your gender, anyone could be called to any office. Typically younger people will be called to the Aaronic Priesthood. Well, lets just say that in the area that I am in, it is kind of uncommon for a younger person to be called to the priesthood. I was called to a priest in 2007 and an elder in 2010 but I was in Chattanooga, TN in a inner city ministry for 5 years. I was 21 when I was called to a priest. Back here in Ohio that is quite uncommon for someone that age to be ordained to the priesthood. We have moved away from our church being the "One true church" but I do feel that there is something special about the CofC. I have experienced many things that allow me to testify to the power of Christ in this church and it keeps getting better.

I am a member and Elder of the Community of Christ. (Formerly RLDS) I love this church and the direction that it is moving. I want to learn more about the LDS church and about how our beliefs are different and similar(if any!) As we are going through the next couple of weeks and conducting our World and USA National conferences, I feel that the changes that will possibly be made, will help this church grow into the people God is calling us to become and realize that the mission of Jesus Christ is what matters most. If anyone would be interested in learning more about the CofC and wouldn't mind sharing with me a little bit about the LDS church, that would be great! I want to post the last two sections of the Doctrine and Covenants that really explains the direction we are moving. Doctrine and Covenants Section 163 Every day since being ordained as prophet-president, I have carried the needs of the church on my heart. Sometimes the weight of concern has seemed almost unbearable. Perhaps this is as it should be, because the heaviness of responsibility has pressed me to seek the mind and will of God as never before. Striving to be open to the guidance of the Spirit, while attempting to lay aside my own preconceived notions, has been a challenging but necessary learning experience. And, as I have sought to perceive God’s will for the church through prayer, study, and listening for the Creator’s voice in the voices of the faith community, I have been blessed by the Spirit in various, sometimes surprising ways. The words and images that follow have been birthed through much struggle, not because of any lack of inspiration, but because of the limitations of the human vessel entrusted with responsibility for articulating divine encounter. Attempting to communicate in words what is ultimately beyond words always leaves one with a sense of incompleteness. Added to this is the challenge of creating phrases that can be translated into the languages of the international church without loss of essential meanings. Fortunately, we have the promise that one of the primary functions of the Holy Spirit is to bear witness of divine truth beyond the confines of language and culture. Therefore, it is in deep humility and with heartfelt gratitude to God that I offer the following counsel as a witness of God’s eternal purpose and continuing activity in the life of the church. In so doing, I place these words in the church’s hand, trusting that the Spirit will enable the faith community to hear the call of God today with increasing clarity. <Mod edit Copyright concerns>