Priesthood Welcome Letter
from President Stephen Veazey
As the person who places the final signature on your priesthood certificate authorizing you to represent Community of Christ in ministry, I thank you for accepting priesthood responsibility. I hope you had a meaningful ordination with the Holy Spirit affirming and strengthening your sense of calling to priesthood ministry.
While shaping the words that became Doctrine and Covenants Section 163, I was prompted by God to focus on the nature and potential of priesthood today. I invite you to explore prayerfully Doctrine and Covenants 163: 6a–d. May this passage, through the power of the Holy Spirit, confirm the response you are making and help you develop vision for enriching your ministry.
The First Presidency and the Priesthood Faithfulness Team are working on updated priesthood-faithfulness principles and guidelines to support priesthood in ministry. These principles include discernment, preparation, a plan for ministry, and commitment to continued education and ministerial development for ordained ministry. When completed we will share this material with the church.
As part of your continuing response, a set of affirmations about priesthood ministry and reflection questions are included with this letter. While it will be helpful to consider these questions personally, I urge you to discuss your answers with your pastor, mission center, quorum, order, or council leadership within six weeks. Such conversation is an excellent way to explore how to focus and magnify your ministry further in light of community and congregational needs.
Once again, I am deeply grateful for your response to the call to priesthood ministry in Community of Christ. I pray you will be blessed with insight, compassion, and inspired witness as you share the peace of Jesus Christ through your new priesthood responsibilities. Also, may you find great meaning and joy in your continuing growth as a servant minister with Christ.
In the Peace of Christ
Stephen M. Veazey, president
Please prayerfully ponder these affirmations and questions:
1. Priesthood is a sacred gift from God given through the church. Ultimately, priesthood faithfulness is the responsibility of the individual in response the call of God and the church’s needs and expectations.
What do you see as the growing relationship between your ministry and the current needs and expectations of the faith community?
2. Through God’s grace you have been gifted and called to ministry in a specific priesthood office. By focusing your ministry in areas of personal giftedness within your office, you will bring great blessings to others.
What are your particular gifts, how are you developing them, and how are you focusing them in priesthood ministry?
3. An important aspect of priesthood faithfulness is upholding a wholesome lifestyle that typifies the ethical values of the gospel and the church. Priesthood, as a sacred covenant, includes expectations for standards of conduct that contribute to the overall well-being of everyone in the community, especially the most impressionable and vulnerable ones. Priesthood conduct is not just a matter of personal choice or current cultural trends. It is a stewardship of life that includes accepting responsibility for the impact of one’s behavior on others.
How are your lifestyle choices contributing to your ministry and the well-being of others and creation?
4. God’s grace and generosity revealed in Christ is at the heart of the gospel. We respond to God’s generosity by generously giving our time, talents, and finances to support the local and worldwide ministries of the church. Priesthood are expected to model generosity in many ways, including giving according to true capacity to Local and World Mission Tithes. All contributions to World Mission Tithes support the following five mission initiatives: Invite People to Christ; Abolish Poverty, End Suffering; Pursue Peace on Earth; Develop Disciples to Serve; and Experience Congregations in Mission.
How does your giving show your commitment to the church’s five mission initiatives?
5. Priesthood should be informed about church life and priorities. Reading the Herald (subscribe in the USA at 1-800-767-8181 or www.HeraldHouse.org) and regularly viewing the World Church’s Web site (www.CofChrist.org) are great ways to stay informed. Also, you can receive church news through our free e-subscriptions (www.CofChrist.org/subscribe.asp). If you do not have Web access, ask someone to help you get the information. Information for priesthood is at www.CofChrist.org/priesthood.
How are you using available tools to stay informed about church life so your ministry is current and aligned with church priorities?
6. Inherent in priesthood ordination is the expectation you will magnify your calling. You can do this through spiritual formation, continuing education, guidance from mentors, and gaining ministerial experience. Many Temple School courses and other educational materials are available. (Contact Customer and Member Service at 1-800-825-2806 or your local mission center leadership.)
How do you intend to magnify your ministry in the years ahead to expand your capacity to share the gospel with others??