A Defining Moment: What it means for you and your congregation.

President Steve Veazey’s April 5, 2009, address to the worldwide church, “A Defining Moment,” helps us focus on what matters most. The address has been organized into video chapters with thought-provoking questions to guide your exploration of what it means to become who God is calling us to become. Use this resource in retreat settings, for personal meditation, and for church school classes.

1. Grace and Generosity
2. We Share: Identity, Mission, Message, and Beliefs
3. Relating to our History
4. The Nature of Scripture
5. Discerning Conditions of Membership
6. Pursuing Christ's Mission
7. Courage and Hope

Questions for Discussion:

• Share some ways you and others have experienced God’s grace.
• What behaviors express compassionate, generous living that mirrors the generous nature of God?
• To what pursuits do you apply the majority of your resources (time, talent, dollars)? To what pursuits do we apply the majority of our congregational resources? What does how you spend your time, talent, and dollars say about who we are?

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Questions for Discussion:

• The concept of “We Share” is twofold. List some things we share with each other as participants in Community of Christ. List some things we generously share with the world.
• What would it look like if you embodied the Enduring Principles in your life? In your congregation?
• Share testimonies of what your participation in specific sacraments has meant in your life. How can we reach out and generously share our sacraments “through which people can encounter the Living Christ” (Doctrine and Covenants 163:2b)?

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Questions for Discussion:

• In what ways does your congregation continue to explore church history with the guidance of the Church History Principles?
• What do you think Emma Smith, Joseph Smith III, and all who followed the old, but ever-new path of the Reorganization would be most pleased about with the church today?
• How can we lift up stories from the Reorganization that continue to shape the church?

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Questions for Discussion:

• Read Affirmation Five of the Statement on Scripture. How is it possible to believe that scripture is “true,” yet not inerrant?
• Many people today proclaim that “the Bible says it, I believe it, and that settles it.” Under what circumstances have you heard that or similar statements made? How do you respond to this commonly stated approach? What do you think is behind such a statement?
• In what way has scripture been indispensable in your journey of Christian discipleship?

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Questions for Discussion:

• How will/has the process of discernment affect(ed) the way you approach the question: Considering the worldwide mission of Community of Christ, should we continue to the current of rebaptizing Christians who want to become members of the Community of Christ?
• Why is waiting for God’s input often so hard? What do you do when your discernment efforts are met by silence?
• In what ways is the importance of the discernment process greater than how we resolve this issue?

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Questions for Discussion:

• What does it mean to be a prophetic people who speak and act in the name of God and Christ in times like these?
• How are the children in your community doing? How does your congregation reach out to them?
• How does your congregation incorporate all generations in congregational life? How can you further engage and empower the ministry of youth and young adults in your congregation?

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Questions for Discussion:

• Personally and congregationally, what fears hold you back from pursuing mission and becoming who we are called to become?
• What are the current challenges and opportunities before your congregation? How can you open windows and doors to the future?
• How can your congregation “gather in gifts of all ages and cultures so the ministries of the body can become whole and fully alive”?

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