Leading Congregations in Mission - Community of Christ

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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 High Priests Newsletter 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. 9 High Priests Newsletter
Page 1 and 2: Leading Congregations in Mission By
Page 3 and 4: You Might Think It’s Strange By J
Page 5 and 6: Creating Cultures of Innovation, Co
Page 7: High Priests: Called to Be Bridge B
Page 11 and 12: Fais de moi Seigneur ton Disciple !
Page 13 and 14: Translation teams are creating new

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