Leading Congregations in Mission - Community of Christ

Leading Congregations 

in Mission 

By Ron Harmon, 

Council of Twelve Apostles 

If you would truly become Community of Christ, 

then embody and live the concerns and passion of 

Christ. 

—Doctrine and Covenants 164:9d 

President Stephen M. Veazey 

challenged the church in his April 

2009 address: 

The most important question for 

a missional church is not about 

long-term survival. It is about 

how we “passionately pursue 

Christ’s mission in a suffering 

world that groans for the 

liberating truths of the gospel” 

(Doctrine and Covenants 155:7). 

What does it mean to be a missional church? When 

congregations are missional they increasingly embody and live 

the concerns and passion of Christ (Doctrine and Covenants 

164:9d) in all aspects of congregational life and ministry. Mission 

becomes more than a program. It shapes everything we 

do as sacred communities. 

Leading Congregations in Mission (LCM) has been made 

possible by the generous gift of an anonymous donor. LCM 

will equip the pastor’s leadership team to cultivate a congregational 

culture that: 

• Is shaped by an ongoing encounter with the Living Christ 

in community. 

• Is grounded in the witness of scripture. 

• Is radically relational. 

• Shares the joys and challenges of leadership in sustaining 

mission. 

July 2012 NEWSLETTER 

• Is safe to explore and experiment. 

• Discerns and connects individual gifts and sense of call 

with opportunities to live Christ’s mission in all its forms. 

• Embodies and lives the concerns and passion of Christ. 

LCM will equip leaders to cultivate an adaptive congregational 

culture that continually is shaped and sent by Christ’s 

mission (i.e., the Mission Initiatives) as it unfolds in multiple 

ministry contexts. 

Formation Retreats began in April for congregation 

support ministers and mission center presidents. They will 

support 80 pilot congregations across the USA, Canada, and 

Australia. Beginning in the fall, the support ministers, mission 

center presidents, and pastors’ leadership teams will engage 

in a three-year process of regional formational retreats. They 

will explore discerning and leading mission in a changing 

world. 

In addition, congregational support 

ministers will help pastors’ leadership 

teams apply missional principles, 

processes, and practices to 

congregational life and ministry. 

In addition, congregational support ministers will help 

pastors’ leadership teams apply missional principles, processes, 

and practices to congregational life and ministry. 

We are experimenting with time-tested and new ways 

of discerning and living our mission. As we move through the 

pilot we will learn together, adapt, and refine a process that 

will support future pastors’ leadership teams in discerning and 

leading mission in their local contexts. 

We are blessed with the ministry of many high priests 

and evangelists who are serving as primary and secondary 

congregation support ministers. We look forward to the opportunity 

to engage more high priests and evangelists as we 

expand this process to include additional congregations in the 

future.

High Priests Newsletter 

2 

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You Might Think It’s Strange 

By Jane M. Gardner, 

Quorum of High Priests president 

You might think it is 

strange for the newsletter of 

the Quorum of High Priests 

to print a hymn text and 

tune. What does this have to 

do with high priests? 

First, the title of the 

text may provide a clue. 

As Ministers of Vision it is 

refreshing to find a poet who 

can help us articulate the 

type of ministry to which we 

are called. At times we might 

feel satisfied with our ability to vision possibilities, yet this text 

reminds us that the God of vision surveys a scope “greater 

than all human scheming.” 

Second, the author specifically talks about many themes 

that are important to high priests (and the church at-large) 

like diversity, perseverance, hope, sacrament, all are called, 

and generously offering ourselves. 

As we consider the year ahead leading to the 2013 

World Conference, I am especially drawn to the text of the 

third stanza. It is a prayer for vision at a time of decision making. 

Here’s a suggestion: Use this text as devotional material 

between now and next World Conference. Pray it. Sing it. 

Breathe it. Ponder it. Share it. 

Third, when I was asked to lead the Hymnal Steering 

Team, I hesitated because of the enormous time commitment 

the project would entail. I was concerned that it would 

detract from my work in the quorum. However, in truth, 

this is what I have found: The messages of the songs we sing 

provide a principal vehicle for the vision of the church. We 

will sing difficult and challenging concepts well before we will 

attempt to live them. When we sing in this manner we are 

“visioning” what might be. 

So, there is a marvelous, important connection between 

being a Minister of Vision and the next song resource for the 

church. I was struck that this is not the first time such a connection 

has been made between the Quorum of High Priests 

and the denomination’s hymnal. 

Hymnody 

Here is a historical reference provided by High Priest 

Richard Clothier in a draft of his paper, “Hymnody in Community 

of Christ,” written for inclusion in the Canterbury Dictionary 

of Hymnology, Carlton Young, editor, to be published 

by Canterbury Press in London and Eerdmans in Grand 

Rapids, Michigan. Geoffrey Spencer, cited in the article, was a 

former president of the Quorum of High Priests. 

One of the members of the committee for Hymns of 

the Saints [1981] discovered a latent talent for hymn 

writing, and as a result contributed 13 texts to that 

collection. Geoffrey Spencer was a native of Australia, 

and spent his life in ministry to the church, including 

ten years as a member of the Council of Twelve 

Apostles. As with most denominations, the hymnody 

of Community of Christ has included its share of 

hymns that tend to appeal more to the emotions 

(the “heart”) than to the intellect (the “head”). Since 

human beings are whole persons, both passion and 

substance are important. Spencer’s texts are both 

poetic and thoughtful, and one of them is particularly 

appropriate to include in this essay because of its 

significant content, beautifully expressed. 

Spencer said he wrote this hymn in response to 

questions from members about the Basic Beliefs of 

the church. The idea was to encapsulate in a few 

stanzas some of the important beliefs of the church; 

he said that he would have liked to have included 

more items, but did not want to make the hymn 

any longer. Those that are incorporated in the five 

stanzas are the concepts of: restoration, and the 

living presence of divine power for the task (stanza 

1); the sacredness of all things and the unity of spirit 

and element (stanza 3); the power of our heritage, 

and the experience of the God who calls us into the 

future (stanza 5). The two stanzas not reproduced 

here refer to the worth of all persons, stewardship of 

the earth’s resources, the ongoing search for truth, 

men and women together in ministry, and the role of 

the church as sin-bearer. 

Three of the verses, set to Lowell Mason’s tune, 

WESLEY, are: 

1. Let us give praise to the God of creation, 

Lord of all history and source of all power, 

Calling us now to the world’s restoration; 

Granting us strength for the needs of this hour. 

3 High Priests Newsletter

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

3. All things are sacred, for use with thanksgiving, 

Boundless resources for each to employ; 

Strength for the body and soul’s fuller living; 

Spirit and element bonded in joy. 

5. Now let the saints hail so rich a foundation, 

Forged in our heritage, living today; 

God who persists in the promised salvation 

Goes on before us and shows us the way. 

It should be noted that the context of one of the concepts 

Spencer mentions might have been somewhat 

perplexing to members in earlier years. The hymn 

uses the term “restoration” to refer to renewal in a 

more general sense, rather than to the Divinely revealed 

restoration of the organization, authority, and 

beliefs of the New Testament church, as it commonly 

meant in the early church. 

Another of Spencer’s hymns is yet a further expansion 

of the previously mentioned concept of Zion. 

In these verses, Zion is characterized as a cause 

for which to labor, rather than as a finite goal to be 

completed. The hymn is matched with the tune, ST. 

MATTHEW. 

The cause of Zion summons us 

To claim a distant dream; 

The love of God in every place, 

The will of God supreme. 

The vision calls us to our task, 

Forsaking self and pride, 

We love and reconcile with Christ 

The world for which he died. 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

The cause of Zion prophesies 

The future yet to be, 

When men and women everywhere 

Shall walk in dignity. 

Get the High Priests Newsletter 

Electronically. 

As high priests, we can help uphold the Sacredness of 

Creation by saving paper, printing, and postage when we sign 

up to receive the High Priests newsletter by e-mail. 

Subscribe for free at www.CofChrist.org/subscribe.asp by 

filling out the form and clicking “High Priests Newsletter.” Feel 

free to subscribe to other options, too. It’s one more way to 

stay connected to Christ’s mission, which is our mission! 


4 

Hymnal Launch 

October 18–20, 

2013 

Plan to join us 

beginning Friday morning, 

October 18, as the 

next hymnal is released 

to attendees of the 

2013 Peace Colloquy in Independence, Missouri. The 

Community of Christ International Peace Award and 

the Peace Colloquy will focus on song as a way of 

justice and peacemaking. The weekend will conclude 

October 20 with worship in the Temple Sanctuary. 

We now anticipate the day 

When pain and tears shall cease, 

When humankind shall live as one 

In righteousness and peace. 

[extract from article quoted with permission] 

These texts provided articulation of concepts that were 

emerging with new definition and direction. Spencer was 

truly a Minister of Vision. He will continue to have an important 

presence in the next hymnal because his “vision” continues 

to be relevant and applicable in the 21 st -century church. 

Throughout the years, many high priests have been 

involved in the hymnody of the church (See 150 Years of 

Song: Hymnody in the Reorganization, 1860–2010, by Richard 

Clothier, published by Herald Publishing House). 

Finally, this connection between vision and the songs 

of the church is important—so critical that I hope you will 

plan to be present at the launch of the next hymnal during 

the 2013 Peace Colloquy, October 18–20, 2013. The event 

promises to be energizing and educational. More importantly, 

we will experience together the vision of what yet may be. 

Leading Congregations 

in Mission 

By Ron Harmon, 

Council of Twelve Apostles 

If you would truly become Community of Christ, 

then embody and live the concerns and passion of 


—Doctrine and Covenants 164:9d 

President Stephen M. Veazey 

challenged the church in his April 

2009 address: 

The most important question for 

a missional church is not about 

long-term survival. It is about 

how we “passionately pursue 

Christ’s mission in a suffering 

world that groans for the 

liberating truths of the gospel” 

(Doctrine and Covenants 155:7). 

What does it mean to be a missional church? When 

congregations are missional they increasingly embody and live 

the concerns and passion of Christ (Doctrine and Covenants 

164:9d) in all aspects of congregational life and ministry. Mission 

becomes more than a program. It shapes everything we 

do as sacred communities. 

Leading Congregations in Mission (LCM) has been made 

possible by the generous gift of an anonymous donor. LCM 

will equip the pastor’s leadership team to cultivate a congregational 

culture that: 

• Is shaped by an ongoing encounter with the Living Christ 

in community. 

• Is grounded in the witness of scripture. 

• Is radically relational. 

• Shares the joys and challenges of leadership in sustaining 

mission. 

July 2012 NEWSLETTER 

• Is safe to explore and experiment. 

• Discerns and connects individual gifts and sense of call 

with opportunities to live Christ’s mission in all its forms. 

• Embodies and lives the concerns and passion of Christ. 

LCM will equip leaders to cultivate an adaptive congregational 

culture that continually is shaped and sent by Christ’s 

mission (i.e., the Mission Initiatives) as it unfolds in multiple 

ministry contexts. 

Formation Retreats began in April for congregation 

support ministers and mission center presidents. They will 

support 80 pilot congregations across the USA, Canada, and 

Australia. Beginning in the fall, the support ministers, mission 

center presidents, and pastors’ leadership teams will engage 

in a three-year process of regional formational retreats. They 

will explore discerning and leading mission in a changing 

world. 

In addition, congregational support 

ministers will help pastors’ leadership 

teams apply missional principles, 

processes, and practices to 

congregational life and ministry. 

In addition, congregational support ministers will help 

pastors’ leadership teams apply missional principles, processes, 

and practices to congregational life and ministry. 

We are experimenting with t ime-tested and new ways 

of discerning and living our mission. As we move through the 

pilot we will learn together, adapt, and refi ne a process that 

will support future pastors’ leadership teams in discerning and 

leading mission in their local contexts. 

We are blessed with the ministry of many high priests 

and evangelists who are serving as primary and secondary 

congregation support ministers. We look forward to the opportunity 

to engage more high priests and evangelists as we 

expand this process to include additional congregations in the 

future.

Creating Cultures of 

Innovation, Collaboration, 

Courage, and Commitment 

By Jim Poirier, 

Presiding Bishopric member-designate 

I was listening to a radio 

interview recently with Jim 

Leech, chief executive officer 

of the Ontario Teachers’ Pension 

Fund, the largest singleprofession 

fund in Canada. 

He and his team manage over 

$117 billion in accumulated 

assets for 300,000 teachers 

and retired teachers in Ontario, 

Canada. 

Even after the economic 

downturn in 2008, the fund 

remains 94-percent funded. 

The average teacher receives a pension for 32 years, so 

Leech’s decisions affect the livelihood of many professionals. 

His group works closely with the Ontario Teachers Federation 

and the Province of Ontario in managing these funds. In 

2011, the fund returned 11.23 percent. 

When asked about the elements that made his organization 

so successful, Leech identified four distinct “cultures”: 

innovation, collaboration, courage, and commitment. Each 

is necessary to create an environment of confidence and 

growth. People look to Leech to manage the business so 

each culture is evident. 

As high priest visionary leaders in congregations, we also 

are looked to by people. By supporting cultures of innovation, 

collaboration, courage, and commitment our congregations 

can be enabled to give their true capacity to the mission 

of Jesus Christ. This is what holistic mission is all about, and 

high priests can help make it happen. 

A culture of innovation is created when people 

are encouraged to bring ideas forward. Exercises in discernment 

and discovery invite input on important issues from all 

ages. The six principles of generosity are innovative ways to 

respond to the generosity of God. In brief, these principles 

are: 1) generosity—a spiritual discipline; 2) respond faithfully; 

Generosity 

3) respond financially; 4) share generously; 5) save wisely; 

6) spend responsibly. For more information about these 

principles see: www.CofChrist.org/onlineresources/reunion/SharinginChristrev1018lastchapter.pdf. 

The three final principles and the order in which they 

are presented provide a discipline that directs us in the way 

of generosity while providing hope for the future. 

Society tells us to spend first, then save, and finally to 

give. By doing so, many have gone into excessive and unhealthy 

debt caused by wants becoming needs. (Where have 

we heard that expression before?) Little is left to save or give. 

But by looking differently at life in response to the blessings 

we have first received, we give first, then save, and finally 

spend responsibly. 

By giving first in response 

to the love of God, we look 

beyond ourselves to the lives 

of those around us. 

By giving first in response to the love of God, we look 

beyond ourselves to the lives of those around us. We then 

save so that we can meet life’s unexpected needs. After we 

have done that we are better able to spend in a responsible 

manner. 

This innovative approach to life is the basis of our 

stewardship response to the love of God, and it is where 

high priests can be in the forefront. It focuses on the life and 

ministry of Christ and asks everyone to participate. In this 

participation, perspectives change from society’s pull to one 

of joyful response. 

As Ministers of Vision, become familiar with the principles 

of generosity and present them as a response to the life 

and ministry of Christ. Call on people to give first, then save, 

and then spend responsibly. It’s innovative generosity and an 

innovative way of life. Visit www.CofChrist.org/give. 

A culture of collaboration is found when high 

priests model the Enduring Principles, especially Worth of 

All Persons, All Are Called, and Blessings of Community. Ministers 

of Vision are able to see the potential in everyone and 


each out, inviting participation in the work of the church in 

our communities. 

Giftedness and developing our gifts have always been 

principles associated with stewardship. As a young adult, 

attending this denomination as a nonmember spouse, I was 

taken aside by a high priest who shared his vision of what 

I could do and become as part of the community. No one 

ever had done that to me before. 

Soon I was active as business manager for a youth 

camp. That eventually led me to offer myself as a member 

of the Body of Christ. As a Minister of Vision, look prayerfully 

at those in your congregation. In the spirit of invitation, seek 

participation and input. Look for ways to involve everyone in 

the life of the community. 

Mentoring young adults as they try to understand where 

and how their blessings can be used is important. “Sacred 

community provides nurture and growth opportunities for 

all people.” Will you be a leader in creating such a culture of 

collaboration? 

A culture of courage models the mission and ministry 

of Jesus Christ, especially as represented in the Mission 

Initiatives. Ministers of Vision can help remind people of how 

Christ courageously proclaimed his mission of evangelism, 

compassion, and justice. We can encourage the development 

of disciples and strong congregations equipped to embody 

that mission. 

It takes courage to help congregations move from what 

they have always done to evaluate their mission in light of the 

call to embody Christ’s mission. This courageous evaluation 

can help move congregations from exclusion to welcoming. 

We can help congregations see what the church is doing 

in the world and support that mission through tithes, offerings, 

and participation. We also can encourage congregations 

to align with mission by creating budgets that support the 

Mission Initiatives locally. 

As congregations courageously step into previously 

uncharted ministries, high priests can provide expertise, support, 

and servant leadership. Resources are available through 

Daily Devotion Available Online! 

Earlier this year, the Daily Bread launched a free blog 

at www.CofChristDailyBread.wordpress.com. 

The mobile-friendly site offers content from the 

Daily Bread book and the ability to share your comments. 

Enter the URL above on any smart phone and save it to 

the home screen for easy viewing each day. 

We encourage you and your friends to visit the site 

and subscribe to take advantage of this daily discipline! 


6 

the Disciple Formation Guide at www.CofChrist.org/dfg. Also, 

a new Pastors and Leaders Field Guide has been provided 

through the generosity of a family that committed resources 

so congregations would have every opportunity to succeed 

in mission. Visit www.CofChrist.org/leaders. 

A culture of commitment calls us to give to our 

true capacity. In Doctrine and Covenants Section 163:9 we 

read: 

Faithful disciples respond to an increasing awareness 

of the abundant generosity of God by sharing 

according to the desires of their hearts; not by 

commandment or constraint. Break free of the 

shackles of conventional culture that mainly promote 

self-serving interests. Give generously according to your 

true capacity [emphasis added]. Eternal joy and peace 

await those who grow in the grace of generosity that 

flows from compassionate hearts without thought of 

return. Could it be otherwise in the domain of God, 

who eternally gives all for the sake of creation? 

High priests have heard the sacred call to turn one’s life 

over to the mission of Christ, understanding what that means 

in our own lives. We then are able to help translate that call 

for others. 

As you and your congregation commit to the mission 

of Christ, formulas are replaced by a focus on what matters 

most and doing whatever it takes for Christ’s mission to be 

accomplished, locally and around the world. 

My Spirit is reaching out to numerous souls even 

now and there are many who will respond if you, my 

people, will bear affirmative testimony of my love and 

my desires for all to come unto me. 

—Doctrine and Covenants 153:9b 

As Ministers of Vision, we are called to create cultures 

of innovation, collaboration, courage, and commitment 

in our congregations, calling everyone to give to their true 

capacity so the mission of Christ can become a reality in our 

communities throughout the world.

High Priests: Called to Be 

Bridge Builders 

By Wim van Klinken, 

Quorum of High Priests secretary 

Like many of us, I grew up in a society that was far less 

diverse than today’s. Since, television and the Internet have 

opened our world beyond association with just those who 

are of the same socioeconomic status, the same ethnicity, 

the same belief system. This diversity brings blessings. But 

for many, it also brings fears of the unknown and angst over 

the pressure to adapt to unfamiliar and possibly controversial 

practices. 

Our church community also has become more 

diverse in the last several decades. 

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. 

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. 

Do not be defined by the things that separate you 

but by the things that unite you in Jesus Christ. 

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. 

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. 

From the earliest days you have been given a sacred 

principle that declares the inestimable worth of all 

persons. Do not forget. 

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. 

—Doctrine and Covenants 162:4a—6b 

Heads Up 

National Conferences 

National conferences are structured to allow us to “listen 

together to one another, without judgment or predisposition.” 

The council in Doctrine and Covenants 162:4a—6b 

speaks particularly to high priests who are called to be bridge 

builders. 

In the aftermath of national conferences in Australia and 

Canada and in this time leading to the national conferences 

in the USA and the British Isles, the ministry of high priests 

is indispensable. “Reason together in love, and the Spirit of 

truth will prevail.” 

Help Prepare for 

the USA National 

Conference 

In preparation for the 

2013 USA National Conference, 

high priests in the USA 

are asked to be facilitators. 

Please contact your mission 

center president and participate 

in local facilitator training. Your 

field apostle is interested to know if you are able and 

willing to travel and provide training somewhere else. 

The four resources available to high priests to 

facilitate groups are: 

1. The Reflection Questions and Spiritual Practices 

(www.CofChrist.org/usaconf/reflectivequestions.pdf) 

2. Wholeness through Christ—a focus on the relationship 

principles from Doctrine and Covenants 

164 

a. The facilitator guide is at www.CofChrist.org/ 

OnlineResources/reunion/reunion2011/Reunion 

11Adults.pdf. 

b. The reading material is at www.CofChrist.org/ 

OnlineResources/reunion/reunion2011/Whole 

nessthroughChrist.pdf. 

3. Discovering God’s Will through Scripture (DVD 

and facilitator and participant guides available 

through mission centers) 

4. Signal Communities…Live Christ’s Peace, available 

through Herald House 

In general, national conference preparation material 

is at www.CofChrist.org/usaconf/reunion.asp. 


Priesthood Faithfulness: 

Continuing Steps 

along Our Journey 

By Tammy Lindle, 

Independence, Missouri, USA 

In her article, “Journeying toward Priesthood Faithfulness,” 

President Becky Savage outlined steps taken since 

1984 to provide spiritual guidance and practical tools to 

develop and support faithful priesthood ministry (High Priests: 

Ministers of Vision Newsletter March 2011). 

Many of these insights are foundational to the work of 

the current Priesthood Faithfulness Team. We owe our gratitude 

to the teams that have gone before us and for inspired 

leadership that has guided, and continues to guide, ministers 

in Community of Christ. 

The 2010 World Conference report of the Priesthood 

Faithfulness Team provides scriptural principles for priesthood 

ministry. These principles continue to guide our team’s work. 

We are pleased to hear reports from around the church of 

steps taken to support and encourage priesthood and to 

enhance ministerial competence and opportunities for education. 

During this inter-Conference period, team members 

are developing the groundwork for new and continuing 

priesthood expectations. Look for announcements of the 

next stages of the Priesthood Faithfulness Team’s work at the 

2013 World Conference. Full implementation will begin by 

the 2016 World Conference. The team continues to refine 

study materials, conduct pilot studies, and frame principles 

for developing, supporting, and encouraging the ministry of 

priesthood members worldwide. 

Priesthood Records Update 

An update of membership records for all priesthood 

members serving in Australia, British Isles, Canada, and the 

United States is under way. Updating contact and demographic 

information ensures timely and effective communication 

to priesthood ministers throughout the church. 

Accurate demographic information helps communicate 

church-wide announcements and invitations for educational 

opportunities and worships. The update will help identify errors 

and gaps in membership data. It also will help priesthood 


Priesthood Faithfulness 

8 

work toward compliance with child protection policy and 

youth worker registration requirements. 

Expanded Understanding 

for Active Status 

The following guiding principles are currently not part 

of the 2005 Church Administrator’s Handbook. The following 

was developed by the Priesthood Faithfulness Team to help 

describe the category of active priesthood: 

Guiding Principles for 

Active Priesthood Status 

Priesthood faithfulness starts with faithful discipleship 

focused on Christ’s mission. Priesthood is a sacred 

covenant with God and the faith community. It involves 

the total commitment of one’s life. Priesthood members 

offer humble servant ministry. 

In addition, active priesthood ministers: 

1. Faithfully take part in the life of the congregation and 

community. 

2. Know about church life and priorities and serve in 

response to needs and expectations. 

3. Affirm in testimony and promote Christ’s mission 

of evangelism, compassionate ministries, and justice 

and peacemaking. 

4. Serve in areas of giftedness within their office and 

calling. 

5. Model generosity and ideally give to local and world 

mission tithes. 

6. Prepare for faithful service through spiritual formation, 

scriptural study, continuing education, and 

ministerial experience. 

7. Model an ethical, moral, and holistic lifestyle. 

8. Hold registered youth worker certification (or 

equivalent). 

Theology of Priesthood Statement 

The Theology Formation Team is working to develop a 

“Theology of Priesthood Ministry” statement. The statement 

will guide development of future preordination training materials 

and help with a deeper understanding of the question, 

“Why priesthood?” The theology statement will expand our 

understanding of the role of priesthood members as servant 

ministers.

More Languages 

for New Priesthood Materials 

Since 2009, every newly ordained priesthood member 

in Australia, British Isles, Canada, and the United States has 

received a welcome letter from President Steve Veazey. This 

letter accompanies the Certificate of Ordination, and offers 

affirmations about priesthood ministry and a set of reflection 

questions to encourage newly ordained members. 

We are pleased to report the letter is now available 

in French, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, Efik, Kiswahili, and 

Hungarian. More languages will follow. Translations in Dutch 

and German are in process. 

Certificates of Ordination are available in French, Spanish, 

Russian, Dutch, German, Hungarian, Portuguese, and 

Tamil. 

We are so thankful for the language gifts of our Translations 

Team for making this possible. We continue the work 

of making our training materials and communication pieces 

accessible to members around the world. 

Recommended Study Guides 

for Priesthood Development 

• Understanding the Way: Exploring Our Christian Faith, Revised 

Edition [Anthony J. Chvala-Smith (Herald Publishing 

House, 2011) ISBN 9780830914692] 

This text explores key themes of the Christian faith 

from a Community of Christ perspective. Theology—careful 

reflection of the gospel—helps voice the deepest realities of 

our shared life in Christ. What is revelation? The Trinity? Salvation? 

For what can we hope? Understanding the Way invites 

readers into the conversation. 

A new chapter “Baptized into Servant Ministry and 

Priesthood,” looks at God’s call to every church member to a 

life of Christ-like service. This chapter addresses the question, 

“If every member is a minister, what is priesthood about?” 

We learn that priesthood members serve to “re-present 

something of the essence of Christ’s own person and work.” 

Priesthood members authentically embody specific facets of 

Jesus’ mission. In this chapter, we understand ordination is 

for the church and is about God. Essentially, priesthood is a 

divine gift given to the community. Some members are set 

apart to be “servants of the servants of God.” 

• Christ’s Mission Is Our Mission: An Exploration of Luke 

4:16–30 [Peter A. Judd. (Herald Publishing House, 

2012) ISBN 9780830915194] 

The text of Luke 4:18–19 recounts passages from the 

book of Isaiah. This new study guide discusses how Jesus’ 

ministry was a fulfillment of the Isaiah text. It applies the Isaiah 

passage and the ministry of Jesus to discipleship in Community 

of Christ today. The book’s six chapters include study 

questions and reflection activities for individual or group application. 

We invite the Quorum of High Priests to join us— 

leading by example—in being the first to read the newly 

published books and study guides that explore priesthood 

ministry and Community of Christ’s identity, mission, message, 

and beliefs. We ask you to prepare and embrace new 

understandings and expectations for priesthood members. 

Prayerful and careful preparation before the 2013 World 

Conference will make it possible to guide congregations into 

faithful discipleship and priesthood ministry. 


Lord, Make Me Your Disciple! 

By Benjamin Colombani Jr., 

French Polynesia Mission Center 

Lord, here I am before you. I stand before you, O my 

divine King. Because you called me, you drove me 

toward you, my Creator. Lord, my voice rises toward 

you. I will sing your victory, I will sing your name. 

Because you delivered me, you gave me hope, my 

Redeemer. Lord make me your disciple, make your 

servant. Direct me, drive me Lord on the path of life. 

I will go where you will go, I will follow you step by 

step. 

This song I wrote summarizes my commitment as a 

member of Community of Christ. 

Since childhood, I have grown up immersed in a structured 

religious environment. My sisters and I always came 

with our parents to church activities. I recognize today that all 

of it was good for us. 

Here are some moments and strong events of my life as 

a member: 

• June 1985: my baptism and confirmation. 

• July 1993: involvement in the first International 

Youth Forum. 

• June 1997: call to the office of priest. 

• July 1997: involvement in the second International 

Youth Forum. 

• 2000: call to the office of elder. 

• 2002 to 2007: pastor in Community of Christ. 

• 2006 to 2008: counselor to the consultants of the 

Tarona Center. 

• 2008 to present: consultant in Tarona Center. 

For many years, several pastors at Tarona have asked 

me to be a counselor. I often have been responsible for 

overseeing monthly spiritual activities. All these years, working 

side by side with these pastors, have been formative. 

These experiences have reinforced my faith in God and 

Jesus Christ. 

My Call 

Sunday, August 1, 2010, the day the French Polynesian 

Mission Center Conference ended, sister Mareva Arnaud, 

president of the mission center, and Apostle Susan Skoor 


10 

Testimony 

Benjamin Colombani Jr. finds joy in 

priesthood responsiibilities. 

asked my wife, Noëlline, and me to meet with them. They 

presented my call as high priest. Without hesitation, and with 

my wife’s support, I accepted this call with joy and humility. 

The call was submitted to the conference and approved. 

During the next year, I had plenty of time to reflect on 

my progress in the church. I participated in classwork with 

Mareva, and I prepared myself spiritually for my ordination. I 

felt my family’s wholehearted support and that of members 

of the church I love so much, Community of Christ. 

This call made me become aware of the extent of a 

high priest’s responsibility. The high priest is a dynamic and 

real messenger for peace and justice. The high priest follows 

the model of Christ’s life and directs the church in its journey 

toward the future. 

Since My Ordination 

Since my ordination, I have seen things differently and 

with a clear and serene mindset. 

I am confident and full of liveliness in my ministry, knowing 

that God, through the Holy Spirit, will help and guide me. 

God is love. I testify that God continues to speak to his 

servants. Thank you Lord for your unconditional love for 

your children. I wish to close my testimony with Colossians 

3:23–24 NRSV: 

Whatever your task, put yourselves into it, as done 

for the Lord and not for your masters, since you 

know that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance 

as your reward; you serve the Lord Christ. 

Amen !

Fais de moi Seigneur 

ton Disciple ! 

Frère Colombani Benjamin Jr 

Centre de Mission de Polynésie Française. 

Seigneur, me voici devant toi. Je me tiens devant ta 

face, ô toi mon divin Roi. Car tu m’as appelé, tu m’as 

conduit vers toi, toi mon Créateur. Seigneur, ma voix 

s’élève vers toi. Je chanterai ta victoire, je chanterai 

ton Nom. Car tu m’as délivré, tu m’as donné l’Espoir, 

toi mon Rédempteur. Fais de moi Seigneur ton Disciple, 

fais de moi ton serviteur. Dirige-moi, conduismoi 

Seigneur sur le chemin de la vie. J’irai où tu iras, 

je te suivrai pas à pas. 

Ce chant que j’ai écrit résume parfaitement mon engagement 

en tant que membre de la Communauté du Christ. 

Depuis ma tendre enfance, j’ai grandi et baigné dans 

un environnement religieux assez cadré. Mes sœurs et moi 

accompagnions toujours nos parents aux activités de l’église. 

Je reconnais aujourd’hui que tout cela n’a été que bénéfique 

pour nous tous. 

Voici quelques moments et événements forts de ma vie 

de membre : 

• 09 juin 1985 : mon baptême et ma confirmation au 

sein de l’église. 

• Juillet 1993 : participation au 1er Forum International 

des Jeunes. 

• Juin 1997 : Appel à l’office de Prêtre. 

• Juillet 1997 : participation au 2ème Forum International 

des Jeunes. 

• 2000 : Appel à l’office d’Ancien. 

• 2002 à 2007 : Pasteur de Congrégation. 

• 2006 à 2008 : Conseiller auprès des Consultants du 

Centre de Tarona. 

• 2008 à maintenant : Consultant du Centre de 

Tarona. 

Durant de nombreuses années, plusieurs pasteurs de 

Tarona m’ont sollicité pour être auprès d’eux en tant que 

conseiller. Il m’a souvent été confié la responsabilité des 

grilles d’activités spirituelles mensuelles. Toutes ces années 

passées aux côtés de ces pasteurs ont été très formatrices. 

Témoignage 

Ces expériences n’ont fait que renforcer ma Foi en Dieu 

et en son Fils Jésus-Christ. 

Mon appel lors du Congrès du Centre de 

Mission de 2010 : 

Le dimanche 1 er août 2010, jour de clôture du Congrès, 

sœur Mareva ARNAUD TCHONG, Présidente du Centre 

de Mission ainsi que l’Apôtre Susan SKOOR nous convoquèrent, 

mon épouse Noëlline et moi, et nous présentèrent 

mon appel en tant que Grand-Prêtre. Sans hésiter, et avec 

le soutien de mon épouse, j’ai accepté cet appel divin avec 

joie et humilité. L’appel fut alors soumis à la conférence et 

approuvé par l’ensemble des membres présents. 

Durant toute une année, j’ai eu largement le temps de 

faire une rétrospective sur mon cheminement dans l’église. 

J’ai suivi ma formation avec la Présidente et je me suis 

beaucoup préparé spirituellement pour mon ordination. J’ai 

ressenti un soutien indéfectible de ma famille mais également 

des membres de l’Eglise que j’aime tant, la Communauté du 


Cet appel m’a fait prendre conscience de la grandeur 

de la responsabilité d’un Grand-Prêtre. Il est le messager 

dynamique et réel pour la Paix et la Justice. Il prend modèle 

sur la vie de Jésus-Christ et il conduit l’Eglise vers son voyage 

vers l’avenir. 

Depuis mon ordination : 

Depuis le dimanche 02 octobre, date de mon ordination, 

je perçois les choses différemment et je suis constamment 

animé par un esprit de clairvoyance et de sérénité. 

Désormais, je repars confiant et rempli d’entrain dans 

mon ministère de Grand-Prêtre en sachant que Dieu, à 

travers son Esprit Saint, m’assistera et me guidera. 

Dieu est Amour. Je témoigne qu’il continue à parler à 

ses serviteurs. 

Merci Seigneur pour ton amour inconditionnel que tu as 

envers tes enfants. 

Je souhaiterais clore mon témoignage en partageant ce 

passage biblique qui est extrait de l›épître aux Colossiens au 

chapitre 3 versets 23 et 24 : 

«Tout ce que vous faites, faites-le de bon cœur, 

comme pour le Seigneur et non pour des hommes, 

sachant que vous recevrez du Seigneur l’héritage 

pour récompense. Servez Christ, le Seigneur.» 

Amen ! 


Beyond Translation: 

Creating World Church 

Publications in Language and 

Cultural Contexts 

By Steven L. Shields, 

International Resource Development Consultant 

I am excited to announce to the Quorum of High Priests 

the soon-to-be-released French language Disciple Formation 

Guide for youth and a Spanish-language Disciple Formation 

Guide for children. 

With the launch of the Disciple Formation Guide early 

in 2011, Community of Christ entered an exciting era for 

teaching and developing disciples! Disciple formation is 

important for the church throughout the world. The pressing 

question is how our approach can be effective in an increasingly 

diverse denomination. Community of Christ has great 

experience with creating culturally suitable resources for regional 

use. The church has translated many publications from 

English into a dozen or more languages used by congregations 

around the world. 

Resource-creation teams at International Headquarters 

realized that creating the Disciple Formation Guide needed 

to involve more people, more places, and more languages. 

Translation of English-language documents, written in and for 

a particular socioeconomic and cultural environment, would 

not be satisfactory. A worldwide church needs to hear the 

voices of all members from all places. Ideally, such communication 

ought to be multidirectional. 

Using the church’s successful model of regional resource 

creation, we formed two teams. We asked them to write 

culturally suitable Disciple Formation Guides. The French-language 

team met in French Polynesia in November 2011 and 

wrote a guide for youth. The Spanish-language team met in 

Honduras in February 2012 and wrote a guide for children. 

Using an outline identical to the English-language Disciple 

Formation Guide, each team wrote more than 100 disciple 

practices, grounded in a variety of cultural frameworks. Using 

the Disciple Formation lesson template, they took the work a 

step further and wrote a basic lesson plan for each practice. 

Team members looked to the English-language Disciple 

Formation Guide for inspiration and ideas, but rather than 

translate, they created something new. 


International Resources 

12 

What is most exciting, though, is the teams created not 

a regional resource as in the past, with limited distribution, 

but a World Church resource. Translation still plays an important 

role in World Church resources. The French-language 

guide will be translated into Spanish, and eventually into the 

many other languages Community of Christ uses. 

With the launch of the 

Disciple Formation Guide 

early in 2011, Community of 

Christ entered an exciting 

era for teaching and 

developing disciples! 

Likewise, the Spanish-language guide for children will 

be translated into French. Both guides will be translated into 

English, and many disciple practices and lesson plans will be 

added to the English-language website so they can be used 

in the United States, Canada, Britain, Australia, and other 

English-speaking areas. 

The French-language team of 10 included four members 

of the Quorum of High Priests: Pasoti Lee, French 

Polynesia Mission Center presidency; Benjamin Colombani 

Jr., pastor and congregational consultant; and Larry Tyree and 

Steven L. Shields from International Headquarters. Others 

were Tanoh Assoi, Ervelyne Bernard, Noëlline Colombani, 

Romina Mootua, Tehinarii Reiatua, and Ilona Tauraa. 

The Spanish-language team included three members 

of the quorum: Gonzalo Mejia, Central America Mission 

Center president; Art Smith, apostolic assistant; and Steven 

L. Shields, International Headquarters. Other members 

were Edgar Copa, Vanesa Herrera, Maria Ramirez, Angela 

Ramirez, Amanda Hernandez, Gleidy Tejada, Delfina Mencia, 

and Debora Ulloa Castellon de Mejia. 

Because the Disciple Formation Guide is not a Sunday 

school curriculum, the disciple practices and lesson plans 

can be used in many settings. The writing teams feel families 

can use the practices for devotional use in the home. Youth 

groups can use them in meetings. Adults can use many of the 

practices.

Translation teams are creating new resources for church use. 


Quorum of High Priests 

International Headquarters 

1001 West Walnut Street 

Independence, MO 64050 


Contents 

Leading Congregations in Mission .... 1 

Hymnody .........................................3 

Generosity .......................................5 

National Conferences ......................7 

Priesthood Faithfulness ....................8 

Testimony .......................................10 

International Resources .................12 

Recent Ordinations ........................14 

Elaine Bradford Evangelist USA 

Sharon Clothier Evangelist USA 

Sue Coleman Evangelist USA 

Bev Corrington Evangelist USA 

Stan Corrington Evangelist USA 

Fernanda Corsi de Carvalho Evangelist Brazil 

Charlie Curry Evangelist USA 

Carolyn Foraker Evangelist USA 

Laurie Gordon Evangelist USA 

Barb Harmon Evangelist USA 

Glenna Henry Evangelist USA 

Harvey Johnecheck Evangelist USA 

Marlene Krueger Evangelist USA 

Connie Lane-Lindeen Evangelist USA 

Gayla McEldery Evangelist USA 

Bobbi Mier Evangelist USA 

Bill Morris Jr. Evangelist USA 

Steve Nixon Evangelist USA 

Sharon Norris Evangelist USA 

Susan Schneider Evangelist USA 

Jim Slauter Evangelist USA 

Jan Slauter Evangelist USA 

Loretha Smith Evangelist USA 

Jean Sweet Evangelist USA 

Gene Austin Jr. High Priest USA 

Erica Blevins Nye High Priest USA 

14 

NONPROFIT ORG. 

U.S. POSTAGE 

PAID 

Independence, MO 

PERMIT NO. 96 

Recent Ordinations 

Last Name Office Country Last Name Office Country 

Carl Edgerton High Priest USA 

Paul Fitzgeorge High Priest Canada 

Glen Ganson High Priest USA 

Bob Gauper High Priest USA 

Janet Irby High Priest USA 

Joseph Kabaso High Priest Zambia 

Greg McManus High Priest USA 

Jeanne Melsen High Priest USA 

Pam Mooney High Priest Canada 

Kasongo Ngoy High Priest Democratic 

Republic of Congo 

Carl Nichols High Priest USA 

John Nichols High Priest Canada 

Greg Schieszer High Priest USA 

Ed Slauter High Priest USA 

Sharon Spaans High Priest USA 

Rusti Sparks High Priest USA 

Joan Thompson High Priest Canada 

Sara Tubbesing High Priest USA 

John VanDerWalker II High Priest USA 

Ann Warner High Priest USA 

Denise White High Priest USA 

Greg Wilson High Priest USA 

Lynn Wilson High Priest USA 

Alison Woods High Priest USA

Leading Congregations in Mission - Community of Christ

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