Section 163:6c-d
Magnified Faithfulness

Discernment Activity

One of the models used for spiritual discernment is based on the Wesleyan Quadrilateral, a method credited to John Wesley, leader of the Methodist movement in the late eighteenth century (although the term itself did not appear until the twentieth century). This quadrilateral identifies the dimensions involved in our Christian journey with God. In our spiritual life we use reason, scripture, tradition, and experience to stay grounded and seek additional truth. For Wesley, scripture provided the core source of truth about God, with the other three dimensions providing a matrix, or web, of more complete understanding of our relationships with God.

Discerning Dimensions of Priesthood Faithfulness

Using the Wesleyan Quadrilateral Choose some of the following activities to deepen your understanding of the meaning and ministry of priesthood in Community of Christ. You may want to use these resources over a period of several days or even weeks as you discern in several ways.

Reason

1. Read President Savage’s article and think carefully about what she is really saying. You may want to take notes or highlight sections that are particularly clear or helpful to your understanding of faithful priesthood functioning.

2. Discuss some of the main points of the article with another person or in a small group or Christian education class. Gather additional thoughts and understandings of priesthood faithfulness.

3. Put this part of Doctrine and Covenants Section 163 in the context of the entire document, as well as individual paragraphs, especially those relating directly to priesthood ministry.

4. Do additional research and reading.

Scripture

1. President Savage’s article contains a number of New Testament references (Matthew 25:21; Luke 16:10; Galatians 5:6; I Corinthians 4:1-2; Hebrews 10:23 and 11:11). Go back and read these again and spend a few minutes meditating on the ones that seem to grab your attention and open your understanding. Find other scriptural references in Community of Christ’s three books of sacred writings.

2. Journal about one of the scriptures and any new awarenesses or feelings that come to you as read and meditate.

3. Discuss the scriptures with several other people or in a small group.

Tradition

1. Meditate and/or journal about the tradition of priesthood in Community of Christ.

2. What are some of the unique aspects of priesthood in our tradition? How are our priesthood practices alike and different from other Christian denominations?

3. How do you feel about the way priesthood callings are being lived out in the church? What is alive and meaningful in our tradition of priesthood ministry and what is in need of revitalization or healing?

4. Discuss the “faithfulness formula” presented in the article:
   (Blessing + Worth) + (Commitment + Covenant) = Faithfulness

Experience

1. Close your eyes and prayerfully begin to recall experiences with those who serve as priesthood members. What happened? What did you remember? Are there any special priesthood ministers who have had particular impact on your life? Who has served in priesthood in a particularly Christlike manner or seemed to have a particularly deep connection with God? Are these qualities limited to those in the priesthood?

2. In your experience with Community of Christ priesthood, what do you discern happening? Have you experienced blessing and healing with those who are ordained in Community of Christ? Have you experienced wounding or frustration with ordained persons in Community of Christ?

3. If you are an ordained minister in the church, what have been your experiences of blessing and/or frustration? What is your deepest need or desire in relationship to your priesthood calling?

4. Again, use the tools of journaling, reflecting, discussing, and sharing to help you go deeper with these questions.

Close each session of discernment with a silent or written prayer.

—Discernment activity by Carolyn Brock