Report of the Priesthood Faithfulness Team

To the 2010 World Conference:
The Priesthood Faithfulness Team approaches this work in a spirit of affirmation for ordained ministry. Our wish is to provide principles and procedures that encourage, motivate, and uplift ordained ministers in Community of Christ. The expectation is that all priesthood members will take part in continuing to learn, reflect, and evaluate their ministry. Support will be modeled at all levels of the church. We recognize the reality of cultural differences and the need for all phases of priesthood faithfulness to be placed in context.

Many recommendations in this report align with “H-8 Report of the Committee on Calling Members to Priesthood Ministry” (1998 World Conference Bulletin, p. 250–253) and Guidelines for Priesthood: Ordination, Preparation, Continuing Commitment (Herald House, 1985). These comprehensive guidelines continue to shape, practice, and point the way for further development.

Priesthood Ministry Purpose

Every baptized Christian is called to ministry. The purpose of priesthood ministry is to edify the people of God in community (the church) to be Christ’s transformative presence in the world. Some are called from the body and ordained to share more-specific ministries. The ministries include servant leadership, presence, peacebuilding, pastoral care, spiritual formation, generosity, preaching, teaching, the sacraments, welcome, invitation, and witness. We do this for the sake of the congregation, the community, and to sustain and advance the mission of the church in the world.

Our Shared Priesthood Commitment

Ordained ministers will honor who we are and who we are becoming, nurture ministerial formation and development, and embody the presence and person of Christ in and through Community of Christ. Priesthood members, administrators, and World Church leaders will uphold these acts of honoring, nurturing, and embodying as we engage together in the continuing work of priesthood faithfulness.

As part of our commitment, the church and the ordained minister will…

•    Honor the Holy: Recognize the power of the Holy Spirit to work with those who serve.

•    Honor our Heritage: Value the theology, beliefs, and practices of ordained ministry within the Community of Christ faith journey.

•    Honor the Organization: Respect current and emerging administrative guidance and pastoral ministry.

•    Nurture the Person: Mentor and care for disciples and their development.

•    Nurture the Process: Approach priesthood faithfulness as empowering and freeing, rather than judgmental and restrictive.

•    Nurture the Potential: Seek continual improvement for all facets of ministry.

•    Embody Message: Recall disciples to the foundational message of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

•    Embody Mission: Focus on the missional goals of the faith community rather than personal fulfillment or congregational maintenance.

•    Embody Ministry: Proclaim and teach the gospel, celebrate the sacraments, and guide the life of the community in worship, mission, and caring ministry.

Priesthood Scriptural Principles

Introductory video:

Scripture Principles of Priesthood Faithfulness

These are presented in video form and are available on the priesthood web page at www.CofChrist.org/priesthood:

1. Priesthood is a sacred covenant one enters with God and the faith community involving the total commitment of one’s life.

2. The foundation for priesthood ministry is the wholistic ministry of Jesus Christ—God’s shalom. Jesus modeled the essential balance between spiritual formation, renewal, and ministry to others.

3. God calls disciples to share the peace of Jesus Christ. God entrusts some to responsibilities of priesthood and leadership.

4. Priesthood ministry is a response to the grace and generosity of God.

5. As priesthood members share ministry in their office and calling, the faith community experiences the wholistic ministry of Jesus.

6. Priesthood members prepare and extend themselves in the service of God’s vision for the blessing and salvation of creation.

7. Priesthood members embody generosity, humility, and integrity.

8. Priesthood members continually seek to magnify their calling.

9. Office-specific ministry may expand as new insights emerge through our encounter with God’s revelation.

10. The ultimate responsibility for priesthood faithfulness rests on the individual in response to the needs and expectations of the faith community. The church is accountable to God for supporting, equipping, and empowering priesthood members to fulfill their calling to bring blessing to the community.

Process of Calling, Preparation, Expectations, and Renewal

Fostering priesthood faithfulness requires guidelines, procedures, training, and support to help priesthood members discern and respond to specific giftedness, roles of ministry, and leadership. The following design principles provide for culturally suitable application.

1. Following prayer and discernment, the presiding officers initiate recommendations for calls to priesthood.

2. After administrative approval is given, the call is presented to the priesthood candidate.

3. Following communication of a priesthood call, an intentional Period of Exploration and Discernment begins. This time includes office-specific study, spiritual preparation, assignment of a guide or mentor, and acceptance of church-identity statements. This usually takes up to a year.

4. After acceptance of the call, announcement to the congregation, and congregational approval, a Period of Preparation begins. This typically takes up to one year. During this time the candidate will:
    •   complete required preordination studies;
    •   practice office-specific ministry with a mentor, guide, or ministry coach;
    •   create a Plan for Ministry.

5. Following ordination, continuing expectations for all priesthood include completing an annual Plan for Ministry, committing to continuing study and development, modeling and promoting generosity for local and World Ministries Mission Tithes, and joining in covenant renewal.

6. Priesthood Self-Reflection and Renewal occurs on a three-year cycle. Renewal will be on the honor system, using technology where available. The self-evaluation includes a summary of the last three years of ministry; a record of study and workshops completed; a summary of future ministry plans; and acceptance of a covenant statement for ministry. Priesthood members may choose not to respond to or accept the invitation to renew. When this occurs, those priesthood members will be assigned a priesthood status suitable to their circumstances.

7. We will create an annual service to celebrate the covenant of priesthood ministry. We encourage congregations to add this covenant renewal to the worship cycle as a way to publicly uphold priesthood members and the servant ministry they offer.

8. Serving in priesthood ministry may be for a period of time in a disciple’s life. Depending on interest and circumstances, ordination is not necessarily a lifelong calling.

9. Priesthood Verification—Every three years the pastor will verify each priesthood member’s status. A Priesthood Status Report Form will be provided to help the pastor with verification, using technology where feasible. Ideally, local leaders will contact priesthood members who have inactive status to determine their ministry intent. If priesthood members remain inactive for three more years, they may be released.

Priesthood Faithfulness Team
Richard Betts
Jenny Chibwe
Don Compier
Ron Harmon
Mike Hewitt
Alex Kahtava
Tammy Lindle
Jan Marshall
Keith McMillan
Jerry Nieft
Bill Pennington
Craig Perryman
Karin Franklin Peter
Keith Russell
Becky Savage, chair
Steve Shields
Derrick Williams
Lynda Wilson
Lynn Wilson