(Following is the closing address given by Brother Barnhard, president of the Quorum of High Priests, at the final quorum session of World Conference 2004, April 3, 2004)

Every World Conference I have attended brought me new and sometimes surprising thoughts; our time together this week is no different. The following ideas have germinated after thoughtful conversations with you, sharing in worship together, and the conference debates that not only show passion for various points of view, but also show respect and caring for others who may not warm to some offered perspectives. 

The past few months I have wondered about what we will do when we leave here this week. How will our lives be changed? How will we be inspired and challenged to work with others to create sacred relationships and sacred community? 

In some ways it will require, as William Coffin reminds us, “a recklessness of faith. First you leap, and then you grow wings.” He goes on to say, “It is terribly important to realize that the leap of faith is not so much a leap of thought, as of action. For while in many matters it is first we must see, then we will act; in matters of faith, it is first we must do, then we will know, first we will be, then we will see. One must, in short, dare to act wholeheartedly without absolute certainty.” 

Faithfulness is what counts and patience is required as new vision sharpens our focus and clarifies our message. 

Over the past eight years, we listened as the high priests of the church focused on concerns about ministry and those whom we are called to serve. We, like the Roman God Janus, have had the chance to look back and see where we have been and take inventory of successful ministries. But we also look forward to see what new possibilities lie ahead.

We must emerge from where we have been, in order to see the future with new eyes.

For me, this opportunity requires a spiritual journey that creates an uncomfortable tension. As I look ahead, I know that a deeper commitment to God will be required in order to sharpen my awareness of God’s movement among the people and our responsibility to meet their spiritual needs. Twenty-first century high priests have a huge responsibility for visioning, mentoring, bridge-building, working for peace and justice, supporting each other, and developing spiritual awareness. Part of our challenge is to hear, see, and feel the message and be prepared to minister in concert with one another. It is entirely possible that we will spend the rest of our lives playing our part of the symphony over and over again. Sometimes we will need to hold back and be willing to listen to the Conductor give us direction, so that we can make our message more sweet and clear. Our ministry may be more behind the scenes at the watering places of life or under a banyan tree with one or two seekers.

The task to hear God’s voice and serve where we need to go is one thing, but there is a huge gap between where we are most of the time and where we need to be. Standing in the breach is not easy. Not only do we have to fill the gap, but we are also called to build a bridge so others, too, can be led to new vistas of opportunity.

My thirteen year old granddaughter has run for class office many times, and we have encouraged her as she has fashioned each campaign. We have begun to notice the importance of friends, clothes, parties, sleep-overs with girl friends, and boys calling. All of this occupies more and more of her time along with the demands of her education. That places grandparents further to the sidelines, or behind the scenes, rather than closer to the action.

Grandpa makes points by threatening to screen new boyfriends, or suggesting that a larger size dress or shirt might be more comfortable. She knows that it’s not her comfort, but my peace of mind that’s behind my suggestions. There is one thing that I have found that gets her attention. Our conversations are never long because her cell phone rings or she is late for this or that. So I talk to her about why she thinks people vote for her to be a class officer. Is it popularity? Good looks? Or is it the quality of the standards by which she lives?

Whenever I am around before she heads for a school function or a social event, I say, “Taylor Ann, leaders lead. Leaders help others who might wander off the road to get where they need to be.” Now all I have to say is, “Taylor Ann,” to which she replies, “I know, leaders lead.”

That is our task. High priests are visionary leaders. We have the tools, the skills, and when we offer ministry effectively, people will say that they have done it themselves. We must start from the premise that leaders produce more leaders, not more followers. Our leadership must relate directly to how to make life better for everyone. Leaders lead.

We need to help God’s people take the next step. It’s good to have more questions than answers, as Dr. Lovett Weems reminded us. Those questions should include, but not be limited to the following. Who are we? What is our mission? Who are our neighbors and what are their needs? What is our mission? What do we discern to be God’s vision for us in this time or the near future?

How do we do all that? It is our faith that allows us to act wholeheartedly without absolute certainty. Faith puts us on the road, hope keeps us there. I pray that God will bless you on the road.