World Conference 2004

Community of Christ - World Conference Reports and Photos

Conference reports and photos follow in reverse chronological order with the most recent at the top. Conference photo albums are here and will be online for the next few months.

Community of Christ - World Conference 2004
Sunday - "Rise, Let Us Be on Our Way"


Seventy Bob has made his way home to Colorado (we should all go there!), so this reporter is filling in.

Sunday began with simultaneous services in the Temple sanctuary and the Auditorium conference chamber. The service in the Temple was a celebration of the gospel in many cultures. Delegates from around the world came forward in groups to share in music and offer testimonies.



Along with everyone else in the Temple, it was good to hear testimonies from so many countries around the world - most of which I will never get to visit in person.



It has been my privilege to meet many of these delegates at past conferences. I have traveled with some of them in shared ministry, both in the United States and in their own countries. The good news they shared Sunday morning brought back special memories of my own.



From my seat in the balcony I could look around the room and see faces from many cultures. One of the special blessings of conference is to worship and fellowship with brothers and sisters from many places.



The closing service of conference took place in the conference chamber of the auditorium. President Grant McMurray brought his closing pastoral challenge to the conference.



Delegates from several countries also shared in the closing service of commissioning.



One of the inspiring moments of conference is the roll call of nations. At the beginning of conference, a representative of each country carries their flag to the rostrum as the name of the country is read and the date the Community of Christ was established there. It symbolizes our coming together as a people.



At the end of the week, the countries are again read as the flags leave the rostrum and the conference chamber. It symbolizes our going forth to serve.



In a surprising moment, rose petals came raining down by the tens of thousands. Many children and not a few adults began gathering some as souvenirs.



Moments later, the closing prayer was offered. Folks lingered to visit and then made their way out of the conference chamber, and ultimately to pack and make the long journeys to their homes around the world.



Two years later, we will gather again.

God be with you!

Seventy Jim




Conference photo albums are here.

Community of Christ - World Conference 2004
Saturday "Rejoice!"

Good Morning once again readers,

It has been a wonderful week, and it has just flown by. I owe faithful readers an apology and a small addendum to yesterday's column. In the heat of deadlines I forgot to mention the "Talent Show" that happened at the end of the worship Friday night. This event is for the youth of the church to be able to showcase some of their talents. And we are blessed with much talent. Singing, dance, and piano, were offered Friday night in a variety of styles and ages. It was a fun evening.



Saturday was the last official day of business. The Conference still had a fair amount of business to conduct before we could adjourn Saturday afternoon. There was no early worship in the Temple Saturday morning, so the morning started with various groupings of Caucuses and Orders combining for a short Worship.



This reporter was blessed to be with the seven Quorums of Seventy, the Twelve Apostles, and the Order of Bishops. We focused on the "Sharing Goals" of the Church. We are called to "share our witness and resources."



At the beginning of the business session in the morning our Presiding Evangelist, Danny Bellrose, asked for permission to address the body. The office of Evangelist in our faith movement are "Ministers of Blessing". Modeled after the Old Testament Patriarch's, our Evangelist's are those ministers who offer wise counsel, and spiritual blessings. Danny offered some very powerful words of counsel. affirmation, direction and hope. These words will be printed in the Sunday bulletins at conference, and I'm sure are on the Conference Web Site even as this reporter is writing this column. Too many words to try to include in this column, I would just encourage every reader to go to the Conference page on the website and print these words and assimilate them into their lives. It was a wonderfully moving and emotional, and much needed blessing for the Church and this reporter especially. [This message is reproduced below.]



One of the lively and highly debated issues of business was the piece of legislation that called for the First Presidency of the Church to authorize and suggest an alternate Communion Prayer - the blessing we use for the emblems of Communion, bread and wine (juice). The prayers we use were written and shared for the Church very early in our organization in the book of Doctrine and Covenants (Sec. 17). Some people are very opposed to trying to use any alternate wording, and view these words as the only acceptable. Some feel we would be trying to change Scripture. Others would argue we are not changing the Scripture from Sec. 17, we are just asking the Spiritual Authorities of the church to authorize alternate acceptable wording. After much debate the Conference deferred this idea to the First Presidency to act, or not.



Two other resolutions dealt with the issue of us being a world wide church and the struggle to print resources in the languages of the people. These resolutions would ask the Church to seriously commit funds and personnel resources to the task of writing and translating books, study resources, the Herald (our monthly Church publication) and Conference legislation to name just a few. Over half of our Church membership is from countries outside the U.S. and Canada, and almost half don't speak English. We have a long way to go in our growth and struggle to truly be a world church.



After a couple reports, recognition of retiring church employee ministers, and some last minute announcements the Conference was asked to approve the last piece of legislation - a resolution to sustain the "leading quorums of the church." This resolution affirms our desire to continue to be led by our Presidency, Council of Twelve Apostles, Bishopric, and Presiding Evangelist. Normally a technicality, this year there were a few persons who actually stood to oppose passage of this resolution and spoke to their lack of faith and trust in the Leaders. Grant had asked the President of the High Priest's Quorum to "assume the chair" during this discussion. After hearing the two who spoke against the vote was called and passed, with a few hands raised in opposition.



Worship Saturday night was a moving time of Hymn singing, Scripture, and visual ministry. A two hundred voice concert choir absolutely filled the Auditorium with powerful words and music. Symbols and reminders of this Holy Week and Palm Sunday added to the power of the Worship.



We started the week asking "Why . . ." to several questions. I trust that through the sharing from this reporter's perspective (hopefully fair and faithful) and with the aid of my incredible Brother, Jim Doty's special and wonderful photography, we have helped to answer some, or all of the Why's. This reporter would suggest that the life of every Community of Christ church member would be richly blessed by at least one World Church Event (Conference, workshop, training event, etc.). To visually see, participate in and experience being part of a World Wide Community is a powerful and hopeful resource in my spiritual walk.



I have truly enjoyed writing and been blessed as I relived every special moment through reflection and sharing with you. I hope that as you continue to walk the "Path of the Disciple" you will find those persons and experiences in your life that will support you, affirm you, challenge you, and maybe occasionally convict you, as you and I, together with sisters and brothers around the world, try to "Live Christ's Way". May God Bless and be with you until we meet again.

A fellow servant of the Lord!

Seventy Bob



Photos from Sunday will follow in a day or two. Conference albums are here.

Guidance for Consideration

The following statement was given by Presiding Evangelist Danny A. Belrose during the Saturday morning legislative session.

From the day a pubescent farm boy knelt amid a leafy grove of trees to seek divine direction, we have been a people probing and pursuing God’s will and way. It has been, and will continue to be, a quest in which we seek not so much to possess Truth as to be possessed by it--to rejoice in it, to weep in it, to turn toward it, more often than not at the expense of our own will. For all too frequently our “will and way” is not God’s “will and way.” At various junctures on our journey of discipleship, liberal and conservative thinkers have stood hand-in-hand at the threshold of tomorrow equally assured that the beckoning horizon mirrors their vision of “what is right!”

We have teetered here before--ears straining to hear Truth’s confirming voice in prophetic utterance, eyes proof-texting Holy Writ, and prayers proffered to soften intractable hearts that do not feel what we feel, understand what we understand, or follow the God that we follow. And yet, despite passionate polarization, we have been willing to let God be God. In response to the pervasive influence of the Holy Spirit, we have seen shadows of disagreement merge and slip over thresholds poised before baptisms in polygamist cultures, priesthood exclusivity, close Communion, and the very name by which this movement bears its witness of God’s will and way.

The church always pauses at the brink of vital issues that cry for the gospel’s response. And so it should. Unresolved concerns call for the faithful to listen, to dialogue, to pray, and to unify our very best efforts to discern what is right. The church pauses now, pondering its response to homosexuality.

“Trust God’s Spirit” has been our constitution! It must continue to be so¾for this mandate is the very heartbeat of discipleship. We have been reminded that trust dampens the fires of urgency: “Trust my Spirit to sustain and uphold you. Do nothing in haste, but continue to trust in the enduring promises of the One in whose name you have been given life” (Doctrine and Covenants 159:7).

Dear friends, we have wisely and faithfully responded to this counsel in our action to defer legislative resolution of the matter of homosexuality. Notwithstanding, many continue to agonize over this question, and passionate voices crying “for” and “against” will continue to echo in our midst. May we speak with tenderness of heart. May we listen compassionately. May we be community. May we hear the voices of sisters and brothers both liberal and conservative without prejudice. May the fervor of competing pleas not drown out those silent saints who continue to seek understanding and guidance. And may we not be governed by fear. Perfect love casts out all fear, and we are a community created and purchased by Love.

May we remember that whenever the church kneels in the grove of indecision, it does so as an act of faith. A willing suspension “of unbelief.” A willingness to be surprised. A willingness to open our hearts and minds to new understandings, new revelation, and new life for liberals and for conservatives alike. We are in this together. We kneel in the grove together. We seek God’s will and way, together.

Dear friends, during the past few months this matter has weighed heavily upon me. I care deeply for the church, as do you. I empathize with those whose passions cry out at both extremes of this issue. I agonize with the silent saints in the middle for whom the voice of certitude is mute. I pray for guidance for the leadership of the church at all levels.

I have considered the obligations of the office to which I am called and have sensed a need to respond to this moment in the life of the church. I have experienced the promptings of the Spirit in what I have said and that which I am about to say. In deepest humility, I offer for your consideration words of guidance and blessing for the church:

The time has come for the church to lay aside personal agendas and differences that vitiate the cause to which we are called. We have allowed ourselves to be engulfed by an issue far less important than it is. The church’s mission is not to define human sexuality. Our mission is to serve the souls of men and women and boys and girls. Our mission is to express Christ’s community on earth--to reach out in joyful witness and to share generously of God’s blessings.

We have permitted a question swaying primarily on the European and English-speaking stage to choreograph the dance of a World Church in nations where this question is not being asked. We have not claimed it--rather it has claimed us. We worry that its final outcome will divide the church asunder, unaware that lack of patience is also a source of division. In response to divine counsel the time has come for us to “listen” and learn from each other as led by the Spirit--committing ourselves to pursue Truth in ways that no longer separate brothers and sisters nor sap the energies of the church.

We have been blessed with sacred text, yet some have sought confirmation in lieu of guidance in its words. Conservatives and liberals alike rest their cases on “facts”: the former assured by “facts” quoted; the latter by “facts” contextualized. Neither side convinces the other. The time has come for the church to free itself from literalism and factualism and to hear the sacred story in ways that honor the past, enlighten the present, and create God’s future.

We have allowed the sweep-second hand of culture to pressure our process of discernment. The time has come when the church must forsake deadlines that anticipate resolution of this question at each emerging World Conference and allow God to bless the church in God’s own way, in God’s own time.

We have permitted legalism to overshadow legitimacy. Priesthood’s authority has never been measured by whom God calls but by ministry actualized. Its value is neither greater nor less than its blessings offered and received. Many serve humbly, sacrificially, and with great devotion in the priesthood, while others passively continue to carry but its name. The time has come for the church to delve more deeply into the meaning, purpose, and accountability of priesthood focused less on the letter of the law and more on the spirit of blessing it brings.

Many contribute willingly and joyfully to the cause of the kingdom. However, some conflicted by the issue of homosexuality have chosen to withhold their gifts or to mete out their stewardship in perceived measurement of the church’s faithfulness. The church is reminded that God’s generosity is neither transactional nor held in abeyance and we who are greatly blessed are called to a corresponding responsibility. Generosity serves only grace; it gives for “the sake of giving”--it moves us from minimums to maximums, from obligation to opportunity. The Great Commission must ring loudly in our ears and spill out freely in acts that heal the bruised and brokenhearted, bring justice to the oppressed, mend severed relationships, and renew purpose to life.

The gospel upholds the inestimable worth of all persons. The ground is level at the foot of the cross and none stands outside the grace of its shadow. We are called to find the face of Christ in those of different colors and different persuasions--to hear Christ’s voice in those who think differently and live differently. We are called to embrace those whose understanding of life is both less than and greater than our own, and whose image of the Divine cries to be seen and set free. Brothers and sisters, the time has come for the church to trust the Holy Spirit to bring harmony to all within the circle of God’s love. As we do so, we need not fear the future. Though some may choose to go their own way, the church’s response to homosexuality shall neither divide nor destroy the church if we let God be God. “Trust my Spirit to sustain and uphold you . . . continue to trust in the enduring promises of the One in whose name you have been given life.”

Amen.

Community of Christ - 2004 World Conference
Friday - "My Peace I Give You"

Good Morning Again Readers,

Friday morning. The week flies by so quickly. The days are filled with such rich and wonderful fellowship and worship. Greeting friends one has not seen maybe since last conference - or even before. Catching up, "How's the Kids?" "Already?"



"Why it seems like just yesterday . . . ." "Yes. I was sorry to hear that, How are you doing?" These are just a few of the conversation openers that one hears in every aisle, corner, room, parking lot, restaurant, etc. We truly are one large family.



Friday morning started with worship in the Temple. It was the ordination of several called to new service, new opportunity, new ministry, new Priesthood. Part of the genius of this Church is the idea of shared ministry, Priesthood, called to continually grow in, and magnify one's calling. An Oboe filled the spire of the Temple with a rich sweet sound. And together we looked, listened, and tried to sense God's Peace for each of us.



Business was pretty normal and without much distraction. We looked at some concepts not very familiar to this reporter. "Restorative Justice", and "Defining the Just War Tradition" were a couple the conference discussed. One piece of legislation wanted to hold up the concept and awareness of the need for giving life through the donation of blood, organs and tissue. Many testimonies were shared by persons affected by the donations of others, or their own donation to others.



Just at noon President, Grant, was kidnapped by the children from the Peace Pavilion (and three clowns). The Peace Pavilion is a special place in the church headquarters, dedicated to teaching Peace to youth from all over the country, and world.



A live video feed let those of us in the chamber watch as Grant "cut the ribbon" officially opening a new exhibit in the pavilion. It was a fun diversion and neat to be a part of that experience, even from a different location.


World Service Corps Recognition

Today's business may be pretty spirited as we look at a piece of legislation asking for some new wording of our prayers over the Communion Emblems. This prayer is one, of only a couple in our faith tradition, where the words are spelled out in our Doctrine and Covenants. It is pretty much an English speaking issue since members in other nations use translated words anyway. Even so, many of our members is the U.S. feel pretty strongly about changing "words of Scripture". It should be interesting.


Alicia and Elkanah Odupa receive Human rights Award

Worship Friday night was awesome. It was a service of going, of sending, of accepting God's call.



Our "Council of Twelve" Apostles were all up front last night. In our Faith tradition we have a council, of twelve ministers, called Apostles.



These twelve have world wide areas of overseeing, mentoring and administration. Some are completely in areas outside the U.S., and some have assignments with both U.S. and oversees assignments. Apostle, Steve Veazey, brought the message, and talked about how we are called to bring ministry and hope to the "least, the last, the lost, and the labeled." It was powerful. Several shared testimony from their area, some translated into English by "side-by-side" translation, where the person shares a thought or few sentences in their native language, and the translator then speaks that same thought in English.



Near the conclusion of the Worship, each Apostle, stood, and asked all those in their area of ministry, all those in the chamber, and at home over satellite and webcast, to stand with them. Each area of the church was then commissioned, or sent, by their own Apostle, out into the world of "least, last, lost, and labeled" to share the ministry of hope, healing, and reconciliation. It was a powerful blessing and challenge.



That commission extends to all who are reading this column, to find ways in all the communities in which we reside, to seek out and minister to those who have yet to truly experience the power of God's love.


Talent Show

Saturday will be the last day of business. Conference will officially end Sunday after worship. May God bless us, the Church, and the World, as we strive to build the Kingdom in our own places of work, learning, and playing and living.

Tomorrow - "Rejoice!"

Seventy Bob



Conference photo albums are here.

Community of Christ - World Conference 2004
Thursday - "The Spirit Teaches"

Go-o-o-o-d-d-d Morning Readers!!,

Another glorious morning here in Independence. The trees are in full bloom, flowers are exploding with color, and the grass is as green as, well as grass should be. I almost dread the trip home, in a few days, to the land of dead and brown. It will be a let down.



No morning worship again this morning - bummer. I miss it. I did, however, visit the local coffee shop this morning (Gary Logan needed a "fix"), where the young adults hang out every evening. There is usually a live music group of some kind and the owner, a church member, goes around every so often with a huge can of whipped cream and offers "whipped cream shooters". The young adults tilt back their head and he fills their mouth with whipped cream. It adds so much to the evenings festive spirit. The tables are filled with card games and various types of Domino games, and spirited conversation. Young adults from all over the world. And they love it!



The business meeting opened this morning where we left off yesterday afternoon, discussing the report from the committee on Human Sexuality and the Church. Even though it is only a report, many people wanted to speak about it. After what seemed like a very long detour we accepted the report and moved on. The First Presidency, Grant and his two counselors, then presented a resolution to refer all five pieces of legislation about homosexuality to the First Presidency to allow time for a new tool the church is counting on - Listening Circles - to work. Even the motion to refer was discussed at length by many, many people from all facets of understanding and feeling about this hot topic.



All in all the discussion was pretty respectful of people, even though the speeches were very passionate. Some who are opposed to the idea of ordaining persons who are in same sex relationships, and some who are accepting of it, wanted to defeat the motion to refer. They want to vote on specific legislation, each with a different idea of the outcome, of course.



This issue will percolate and boil in our church dialogue and conversations for many years to come. Many persons on both sides of the issue would like to move toward a specific ruling. The motion did finally pass and so that ends the formal discussion of the issue at this World Conference. Hopefully people will attend and participate in "Listening Circles" in their area. And hopefully those on each place on this issue can be patient with one another until we can come to a place of consensus.



Near the end of one of the business sessions there was a very powerful reading by seven or eight persons, all from different parts of the world. The reading was written by Apostle David Brock.



Each person shared part of the reading in their own language and finished in English. The reading talked about our differences, and yet our oneness. I would hope you might find the text soon, on the Church or Conference web site.



The evening worship was awesome as usual. The large, black Grand Piano held a prominent place on the rostrum. And the music from it filled the chamber. This reporter also loves it when the Auditorium Organist "kicks in" the wonderful trumpets from the rear of the sanctuary.





Again the international spirit of the Church was evident by the participants on the rostrum. Africans, Chinese, and Americans side by side, sharing in ministry.



There was a soloist accompanied by a cello. Glorious sound echoing of the walls and ceiling of the chamber. Singing with several thousand fellow church members is quite a thrill for this reporter.



Also last evening there was an interesting dance drama. The girl would perform what I would call ballet type movements, and then two young men would butt in and do a much more modern interpretation of the music.




The girl would push them away and dance again. Each would take turns, sort of mocking the other's dance and then showing off their own.



It went back and forth several times and then the two styles began to be danced together, blended into one unique offering of ministry. It was a powerful symbol of diversity working together and becoming unity. Can we follow the dancers lead? Will we allow the Spirit to teach us? Is there hope?



Only two days of business sessions left, and then the final worship on Palm Sunday. I'm anxious for Friday.

For more glorious photos don't forget www.imageevents.com/jimdoty.

Seventy Bob

Tomorrow - "My Peace I Give You"



Photo albums are here.

Community of Christ - World Conference
Wednesday, "If You Love ..."

Good Morning Readers,

Wednesday dawned a beautiful sunny morning. An awesome beginning for the day. The early morning Worship at the Temple was a joyous, laughter filled morning. It was a morning dotted with youth, clowns, and sunshine.



Awards of recognition were given to three persons who have worked with youth for around a quarter century each. Persons who have indeed loved the Lord by loving His children. There must be a special place in heaven for people who help mold and shape the lives of youth.



After the morning Quorum and Caucus meetings the business session opened with completion of activity on the "Words of Counsel to the Church". We had closed business Tuesday just as the entire document was opened for discussion. Many persons shared both affirmative as well as negative thoughts and feelings about the wording or phrasing of the document.



Some liked what it said. Others didn't like what is said. And some didn't like what it didn't say. But after a period of time the vote was called for the document was accepted by a very large majority and now we have Section 162 added to our Doctrine and Covenants, one of the three books accepted as scripture in the Community of Christ.



After the vote was taken and passed, President Grant McMurray was summoned back into the chamber and told the result of the conference action. We sang a traditional hymn, "We Thank Thee, O God, For A Prophet" with a new third verse that talks about being a prophetic people. Grant then shared for several minutes words of gratitude for our willingness to wrestle with the hard question of determining God's will for us as a people. He also addressed a couple areas that persons had expressed concern with in the document. Grants words were comforting, assuring, and challenging. Hopefully, some who had concerns were blessed by Grant's sharing.



Most of the rest of the business was receiving reports and nominating persons for various positions. One of the reports was the report from the Committee on Human Sexuality. This reporter could feel the beginnings of the expressions of wide division and strong held beliefs about this topic. If the conference begins debate today on any of the five pieces of legislation about homosexuality and the church, it will be a long day. This reporter wishes people could debate or discuss the issue without attacks on the personhood of others. I trust Grant will try very hard to mold the discussion in that way. There is much fear, mistrust, interpretation, and disagreement on this topic and persons speak with great passion.



There was no evening worship planned for Wednesday night. The conference is encouraged to visit, and fellowship, and rest. It is a mid-week break. Many use the evening to catch up with local friends and family, and enjoy a leisurely supper without the press of a quick trip back to the Auditorium for Worship. Melinda, my wife, and I spent part of the evening driving through the neighborhood she spent several years in as a youth. "There's Daddy's property (the house is now gone), Uncle Dick lived in one of those two. Sherry Minton (Kirkpatrick) lived there, Our housekeeper lived in that one." And so it was an evening of memory and reconnection.



Our journey to build community will continue through the week so watch for updates and new photos from fellow photo journalist and Brother, Jim Doty.

May God bless you as you support this conference and the activity here. We can use your prayers for the rest of the week.

Seventy Bob

Tomorrow - "The Spirit Teaches"



World conference photo albums are here.

World Conference - Tuesday
"Do Greater Things"

Good Morning Readers,

World Conference 2004 is well under way. We have already experienced some of the detours and distractions.



Tuesday started out rather slow. There was no early morning worship scheduled, and this reporter missed beginning the day in corporate worship.



As the Quorums and Caucuses met for their morning sessions there was much discussion in small and large groups about the content of the "Words of Counsel to the Church". All of the various Quorums, and Caucuses completed their discussion and voted on acceptance of the document during their sessions. So the official action by the entire conference began.

As part of a long standing tradition, the President of the Church, Grant McMurray, leaves the conference during deliberation and discussion. This frees the delegates to speak more freely on the issue and also removes the possibility of endless questions from the body, "What did you mean by . . . . . . .?"



The process begins with the document being moved and seconded, officially bringing it to the floor for action. The entire document is read and then the reports by each of the Quorums and Caucuses as to their action. Many were unanimous in their approval, others used words like strong or overwhelming majority. Concluding that process the entire conference begins to discuss the document. It is read a paragraph at a time and each paragraph is discussed. The Conference has not authority to change or amend, only to accept or reject approval of the entire document. As you can imagine, there is often spirited discussion on various words, phrases, and occasionally paragraphs of the document. As it turns out, even extending the time of Tuesday's afternoon business session, we didn't quite finish business of the document, and will take it up again in the morning business session on Wednesday.



We got as far as the final discussion on the individual paragraphs, and the entire document was ready to be discussed and voted on, but the number of persons seeking the floor for comments was far too long to be completed in the allotted time. So we adjourned until Wednesday.



Tuesday's evening worship was a special evening. Part of the Worship was an Ordination. There are seven Quorums of Seventy in the Community of Christ. The Seventy are the missionary focused ministers of the Church. Each Quorum has a leader, or President, of their quorum. A vacancy in the Presidents of Seventy initiated the need for the election, within the Seventy, of a new President of that Quorum. Sam Kumar, from India, was elected by the Seventy to fill that position. Sam's "Setting Apart", or ordination, was historic for the Church.



The Worship also included wonderful music, preaching, drama and imagery that helped us focus on "Doing Greater Things" than even Jesus did during His earthly ministry.



That promise and challenge was given to His disciples as he was preparing them for life after his crucifixion, and has been handed down to us as His current disciples, as a way of showing us the power resident in those who seek to do the Lord's work, for Him, in the communities in which we work, and learn, and play and live. As we become the hands and feet of Jesus in our communities today, may we recognize His power working in us to make those communities of Joy, Hope, Love and Peace.



Don't forget to check out the church web site www.cofchrist.org for the latest in the progress of conference. Also stop by www.imageevent.com/jimdoty for current photography of happenings at conference.

Seventy Bob

World Conference - Monday
"Believe In Me"
Morning Readers, It is another Glorious day - another day to celebrate God's goodness. Here's a couple items and places you may want to visit for conference reports and also photos by fellow journalist and photographer extraordinaire Jim Doty.

Dozens of conference photos are posted in the albums here.

Well readers, Monday was indeed a day of surprise. Our President and Prophet, Grant McMurray, brought to the church, "Words of Counsel" (see note above).



In our faith tradition, we believe God still talks to us and provides direction for us as a church through our President/Prophet. This process involves much prayer, listening, questioning, and seeking for clarification and confirmation. After conviction that the insights and ideas are from God, and for us now in this time and place, the President brings an "inspired document" with "Words of Counsel" to the World Conference. Various Quorums, and caucuses are given copies of the counsel with the express direction to read, study, discuss, compare, and vote on the willingness to accept these words of counsel as representing for us "the mind and will of God". This is a process that may take a day or two to process. After all the individual approvals are received, the conference as a whole is formally given the document to discuss and ultimately vote on. If approved, this document will be given the status of "scripture" for us and entered as a new section in our Doctrine and Covenants - one of our three accepted books of scripture, along side the Bible and Book of Mormon. The vote is seen as part of a process of "Common Consent" used to govern the Church.



The day dawned early as the morning worship, in the Temple, was led by the Native Americans, with drums, flute, gourd rattles, feathers, beads, singing and dance. A chalk artist drew the entire time and created a living worship setting for the service of worship. It was a festive and yet solemn worship with moments of emotion and feeling. We celebrated and greeted "The Directions". We faced East, West, North, South, Up, Down, and within. Even if the words and symbols aren't expressly understood, Worship is universal in Spirit.



The day also included the business session in the morning where two pieces of legislation were ruled out of order by the Presidency, meaning that they contained language or provisions that the church couldn't implement, or didn't have that authority to enact by previous church law and policy. It was a slow news day on the business front.



The evening worship was again an extraordinary experience. It was a service formed around baptism, and several testimonies were shared by persons recently baptized or anxiously awaiting baptism. The Tahitian's brought an explosion of color and joy to the music ministry. Members of the Seventy, our missionary focused Priesthood Officers, were on hand to answer questions from any who might want information about the process of baptism and membership in the Community of Christ.



The days are filled with laughter, tears, hugs, conversation, renewal, reconciliation, fellowship, crowds, noise, singing, worship and praise. We are indeed a people who trying accept the Lord Jesus' challenge to, "Believe in Me!"



As we continue to become a prophetic people, a people on the "Path of the Disciple", we will continue to be challenged and directed by God's Spirit. Will we answer the challenge, will we make the journey from the cross to Community?

Tomorrow - "Do Greater Works"

Seventy Bob

Conference photo albums are here.

Monday morning, March 29, "Words of Counsel to the Church" were presented to the various councils and quorums of the church for their consideration.



Words of Counsel to the Church

For many months I have struggled with a persistent conviction that God is calling the church to a clearer understanding of what it means to be a prophetic people. I have sensed as never before that we are uniquely called to be faithful witnesses to Jesus Christ and to claim again the principles of Restoration in our own time. These thoughts have haunted me, perhaps in part because I have resisted expressing them, painfully aware as I am of my own sinfulness and personal shortcomings. But still the urgency rested upon me, until one night I tossed fitfully in my bed, unable to yield to the sleep that needed to come. Finally, I arose and in the silence of the night tried to embrace what was written on my heart.

The words did not flow as if dictated, but were wrested out of my own encounter with the Spirit that had been working with me these many months. I wrote, and then in subsequent days I pondered the words, recasting them here and there as further clarification would come. Even as I present them to the church, I do so sensing that there is more to be said. But the same Spirit that leads me to write these words also compels me to invite the church to join in the task of discerning God’s will for us. I am not yet sure what form that will take, but I believe it is our next step as we continue the process of becoming a prophetic people.

To the Councils, Quorums, and Orders, to the World Conference, and to the Church:

1a. Listen, O people of the Restoration—you who would become a prophetic people, embodying in your life together the ministries of the Temple. Listen to the Voice that speaks from beyond the farthest hills, from the infinite heavens above, and the vast seas below.

b. Listen to the Voice that echoes across the eons of time and yet speaks anew in this moment. Listen to the Voice, for it cannot be stilled, and it calls you once again to the great and marvelous work of building the peaceable kingdom, even Zion, on behalf of the One whose name you claim.

2a. Listen carefully to your own journey as a people, for it is a sacred journey and it has taught you many things you must know for the journey yet to come.

b. Listen to its teachings and discover anew its principles. Do not yearn for times that are past, but recognize that you have been given a foundation of faithful service, even as you build a foundation for what is yet to be.

c. As a prophetic people you are called, under the direction of the spiritual authorities and with the common consent of the people, to discern the divine will for your own time and in the places where you serve. You live in a world with new challenges, and that world will require new forms of ministry. The priesthood must especially respond to that challenge, and the church is admonished to prayerfully consider how calling and giftedness in the Community of Christ can best be expressed in a new time.

d. You have already been told to look to the sacraments to enrich the spiritual life of the body. It is not the form of the sacrament that dispenses grace but it is the divine presence that gives life. Be respectful of tradition and sensitive to one another, but do not be unduly bound by interpretations and procedures that no longer fit the needs of a worldwide church. In such matters direction will come from those called to lead.

e. Again you are reminded that this community was divinely called into being. The spirit of the Restoration is not locked in one moment of time, but is instead the call to every generation to witness to essential truths in its own language and form. Let the Spirit breathe.

3a. Do not be discouraged. You have not been promised an easy path, but you have been assured that the Spirit that calls you will also accompany you.

b. That Spirit is even now touching alive the souls of those who feel the passion of discipleship burning deeply within. Many others will respond if you are persistent in your witness and diligent in your mission to the world.

4a. Listen carefully to the many testimonies of those around the world who have been led into the fellowship of the Community of Christ. The richness of cultures, the poetry of language, and the breadth of human experience permit the gospel to be seen with new eyes and grasped with freshness of spirit. That gift has been given to you. Do not fail to understand its power.

b. It is for divine purpose that you have been given the struggles as well as the joys of diversity. So must it always be in the peaceable kingdom.

5a. Do not be defined by the things that separate you but by the things that unite you in Jesus Christ.

b. Over and over again you have been counseled to be reconciled, to seek the unity that is imperative to the building of the kingdom. Again the Spirit counsels the church to not allow the forces of division to divert you from your witness.

c. Listen together to one another, without judgment or predisposition. Do not assume that the answers to matters of conflict have yet been perceived. There is much labor to be done. Reason together in love, and the Spirit of truth will prevail.

6a. From the earliest days you have been given a sacred principle that declares the inestimable worth of all persons. Do not forget.

b. The One who created all humankind grieves at the shameful divisions within the human family. A prophetic people must work tirelessly to tear down walls of separation and to build bridges of understanding.

c. You hold precious lives in your hands. Be gentle and gracious with one another. A community is no stronger than the weakest within it. Even as the One you follow reached out to those who were rejected and marginalized, so must the community that bears his name.

7a. There are many lives waiting to hear the redeeming words of the gospel, or to be lifted from hopelessness by the hands of loving servants. But they will be lost to you without the generous response of disciples who share from their own bounty that others may know the joys of the kingdom.

b. Many are fearful and believe their security is to be found in the accumulation of possessions. The answers you seek are not inherent in the things of this world but in a faith that places its trust in the promises given to all who would follow Jesus Christ.

c. You have been given the principles of generosity, rightly interpreted for a new time. These principles call every disciple to tithe faithfully in accordance with means and capacity. Those values, deeply rooted in the Restoration faith, affirm that stewardship and discipleship cannot be divided and are dependent upon each other.

d. The call to respond is urgent. Look to the needs of your own congregations, but look also beyond your walls to the far-flung places where the church must go. Each disciple needs a spiritual home. You are called to build that home and care for it, but also to share equally in the outreaching ministries of the church. In that way the gospel may be sent to other souls also yearning for a spiritual resting place.

8a. You are a good and faithful people, but sometimes you fail to see the power that is resident in your own story and fellowship. Look carefully, listen attentively, and sense the Spirit among you.

b. Do not be unduly concerned with numbers. Be fervent in your witness, passionate in your discipleship, and vigorous in your labor on behalf of peace and justice. Where two or three such disciples form community, there will the Spirit be. Many will come to see.

c. Continue your journey, O people of the Restoration. You have been blessed thus far but there is so much yet to see, so much yet to do. Go forth with confidence and live prophetically as a people who have been loved, and who now courageously choose to love others in the name of the One you serve. Amen.

W. Grant McMurray

President of the Church

Independence, Missouri

March 29, 2004

Community of Christ - World Conference - Sunday
"I Am The Way"

Morning faithful readers,

Here is today's update from conference. Wish you were here.

The daily theme for Sunday played itself out throughout the day, in the morning Worship, the opening of the legislative session, and President, Grant McMurray's sermon Sunday night. The Scriptures record a conversation in which Jesus is telling the disciples that he is leaving them, and that they will follow. He assures them they know where he is going. The Apostle Thomas asks the question that maybe many of them wanted to ask, but were afraid, "How can we know the way?". Jesus answers, "I Am The Way!"



Worship at Conference is truly an awesome experience. The International personality of the Community of Christ is so very evident at conference. Africans worship and sing with such an incredible energy and Joy. The Tahitians fill the sanctuary with colorful costume and rich music as well. Prayers are offered in many languages that this reporter doesn't comprehend, and yet the language of prayer is universal enough that the spirit of prayer transcends the words used.



Communion also carried the international personality as the sharing of the emblems of the Lord's sacrifice takes on an international "flavor". Where most of us in the United States are used to emblems of bread and grape juice, the international community uses emblems meaningful and specific to them. Unleavened bread, dark colored rye bread, and corn tortillas filled the trays. Grape juice, water, coconut milk, and even soda are used in nations where water is often unavailable and unsafe to drink.



Conference officially opened in the afternoon as the delegates assembled for the first of many business sessions. The session opens with the flags from the fifty nations that the Church is organized in being carried and displayed on the rostrum. It is an awesome and colorful symbol of the larger community we impact. Sunday's business session was mostly preparation to "do business". The Conference was organized, the Presidency was authorized to conduct business, and rules of order were presented as the official control over how we discuss, debate, and vote. Greetings were brought from several official and government entities, including a welcome from Rondell Stewart, Mayor of Independence. An inspiring and challenging opening speech was brought by Dr. Lovett Weems Jr., Professor of Church Leadership, Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, DC.



Another highlight of opening day is the Worship Sunday night. Many people who don't participate in Conference, come to hear the President of the Church share his vision, insight, challenge, and direction. Grant didn't disappoint. Grant is a gifted communicator, warm and relaxed, who makes one feel as if Grant is speaking directly to them in the comfort of their own home. And, at the same time makes us uncomfortable to sit and stay in the same old spaces. Grant challenged us to move out, to build up, to create, to refine or remodel the ways we live in community. One line this reporter appreciated from Grant's sermon was, It is not the journey from Gethsemene to the cross, but the journey from the cross to community that Jesus calls us to. Jesus call all disciples of every age to the same journey. Will we follow on the path of the Disciple?



Lack of space and an appreciation of your time compels this reporter to bring today's column to a close. But stay tuned. It promises to be a week of surprises, and challenges.

Monday's theme, "Believe in Me".

Seventy Bob

Dozens of conference photos are here.

Community of Christ - World Conference 2004
"Live Christ's Way"

World Conference. What is it? What causes several thousand people to converge in Independence, Mo. Every two years? They come from literally all parts of the world. They come at their own expense. They take time off from work. Some come officially as "delegates", others just come for the experience. What draws them? As this reporter goes through the week, we hope to provide answers to some of these questions.



As I drove the 10 hours from Denver, Co. to Independence, I was struck with some of the similarities between the journey "to" Conference, and past journeys "through" Conference. The journey starts out with blue skies, and smooth roads. As we begin the trip, the traffic on this four lane highway is all going along pretty much the same speed and people seem to be moving along well. We seem to have a sense of direction and a vision of the destination we are moving toward.



And then there is a shift in traffic. Some people begin to exit the freeway, caught up in one distraction or another, and the body of travelers begins to thin out. Some people race ahead, far too fast to be safe, or cautious. Are they paying attention to the road signs? Others lag behind, and to stay with them feels painful and arduous. I hate to leave them behind, but I can't travel that slowly.

Then the road narrows. Rough road ahead! Detour! We creep through the detours, switching lanes back and forth. The destination now seems somehow distant and out of reach. And yet we travel on. Finally, the detour ends and travel is easy and comfortable again - until the next.



I've had these same feelings at many past conferences. We meet, we greet, we begin the tasks at hand with a clear sense of direction and destination, and then some want to race ahead, faster than I can comprehend the ramifications of the details. Other times I seem comfortable with the pace, but others seem to want to drag their heals. Unjustly afraid of some unforeseen and often non existent problem. And so we detour. We go slow. We switch lanes back and forth and for a while seem, to lose track of the destination. Finally we get past it, and we move on, and the journey seems easy and comfortable again, at least for some.



Today, Saturday, is a day of preparation. Arrivals, registration, pre-legislative discussions, Quorum gatherings, fellowship. The meeting and greeting. Tomorrow, after a morning of Praise and Worship, the travel begins. Will the road be smooth? The travel easy? Or will there be detours? Collisions? Will we all arrive at the destination? Can we truly "Live Christ's Way?"

Tomorrow, "Opening Ceremonies - The Adventure Begins"

Seventy Bob



Photo albums of conference are here

Good News and Recognition

World church ministers from around the world gathered in the Temple sanctuary Friday afternoon to greet one another, visit, sing, pray, and share good news.



Most of the ministers present have lived in several different states and provinces, and in some cases, different countries, so it is very good to renew old friendships. Some new church resources were introduced including a new priesthood manual and a new members manual.



After a break, these same ministers along with their spouses, gathered back in the sanctuary for a special service of recognition.



Recent retirees and their spouses came forward to be recognized.



Then those with 25 years of service came forward to be recognized. Finally, there was a time of rememberance for those who have passed on since last conference. The Presiding Evangelist brought a challenge before the closing scripture, hymn and prayer.



Another conference has begun.

Seventy Jim



Conference photo albums are here.

Traveling to Conference

Thousands of delegates and visitors from all around the globe are heading for Independence, Missouri for the biennial conference of the Community of Christ. Many of them in the USA and Canada will have a one or two day drive. Others will be flying in to Kansas City. Some from Asia and other remote locations are spending two days on planes to get to conference.

A few delegates from around the world arrived last weekend for several dates of International Leaders Meetings that began Monday and ended yesterday. World Church ministers will have meetings this afternoon which will end with a special service of recognition for those who are retiring or have 25 years of service. There will be more pre-conference meetings Saturday, followed by a reception with major church leaders.

Sunday morning there will be two Communion Services and the first business session of the conference will be Sunday afternoon. Stay tuned for reports and photos.

May all those on the road and in the air be blessed with, as some of my friends phrase it, "travel mercies".

Seventy Jim

Community of Christ -
World Conference Reports and Photos

Reports and photos from conference by Seventy Bob and Seventy Jim will be posted here when conference begins.