Leading Congregations in Mission - Community of Christ

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
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High Priests Newsletter
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.