FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kendra Friend, Community of Christ Public Relations
Phone: (816) 521-3041
Date: May 26, 2005
Stephen M. Veazey, President Designate of the Community of Christ, in
preparation for the World Conference and his responsibilities inherent in the
role of prophet-president of the church, should the World Conference approve
his ordination, has announced the names of individuals to fill the vacancies
in the presiding quorums of the church.
1. Peter A. Judd, who has served as a World Church minister for
thirty-four years, including four years in the Council of Twelve and five
years in the First Presidency, is now afforded the honor of retirement from
World Church appointment and from the Presidency, as requested by him. His
purity of heart, creativity, pastoral spirit, keen mind, and broad range of
ministerial gifts have been a blessing to the church throughout the years of
his service. The stability and experience he brought in the Presidency during
the months following the unexpected resignation of the president of the church
have been valuable beyond measure. Likewise, his contributions of writing,
worship leadership, resource development, and skillful management throughout
his ministerial career will continue to benefit the church into the future.
Relieved of the heavy burden of presidential responsibility, he will be free
to serve as a high priest and to pursue his continuing interest in various
aspects of church life and mission, including ministry with his companion,
Kris.
To achieve the reorganization of the Quorum of the First Presidency, the
following counsel is given:
2. Kenneth N. Robinson is called to serve as a member of the First
Presidency and as a counselor to the president of the church. His spiritual
insight, experience, and wisdom arising from many years of ministry as a World
Church officer, including nine years in the First Presidency, will be a
strength and a blessing in the Presidency during this time of transition and
alignment for the future. His responsibilities in the Presidency should be
arranged so as to allow him to concentrate his efforts on helping the church
understand and pursue its worldwide mission. Particular emphasis should be
brought to the call to more fully express the vital relationship between the
ministries of the Temple as a vibrant ensign of peace and the essential
meaning of the Restoration as healing and redeeming agent in all of the
nations and cultures where the church is established.
3. David D. Schaal is called to extend and express his apostleship
in service as a member of the First Presidency and as a counselor to the
president of the church. His deep devotion to Jesus Christ, his extensive
ministerial gifts, and his wide range of experience in pastoral, missionary,
and presiding roles in the church will serve him well in this new
responsibility. As an advocate for ministry with children, youth, and young
adults, he will be a vital asset in the Presidency as attention is given to
developing World Church and congregational ministries that will shape the
future of the church. His evident sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, and his
ability to clearly communicate gospel truths to all generations, will be
further magnified as he accepts this call.
As indicated in a previous letter of counsel to the church, there are many
valid ways to express one’s sense of calling and giftedness over time as
needs, opportunities, and circumstances change. Participation in the presiding
quorums of the church is not necessarily for the duration of one’s ministerial
career. This understanding allows the necessary flexibility from time to time
to align individual gifts and interests with new responsibilities that are
important in the life of the church. It is with this understanding that the
following counsel is given regarding the composition of the Council of Twelve
Apostles:
4. Kenneth L. McLaughlin, who has served as an apostle for eleven
years, is honorably released from the Council of Twelve, in harmony with his
desires, to free him to serve as a high priest and to accept assignments from
the First Presidency. In light of his particular gifts and interests, these
assignments will be focused on ministerial education and processes related to
the development of vital resources and services to support the church’s
worldwide mission. In order to maximize his continuing contribution to the
church, he will be provided the opportunity to pursue additional theological
education, with an emphasis on church mission. Ken is also encouraged to
continue to express his gifts of hymn writing and designing worship
experiences that will draw people into transformative encounters with God and
that will help them better understand the identity and mission of the
Community of Christ today.
5. Gail E. Mengel, who has served as an apostle for seven years, is
honorably released from the Council of Twelve to allow her to serve as a high
priest and to accept ministerial assignments from the First Presidency. Gail’s
gifts of tenderness, sensitivity to the Spirit, vibrant witness, and
compassion for all of God’s children will continue to be a blessing to all who
receive her ministry throughout the world. In response to current
opportunities and needs, Gail will also serve as the Ecumenical and Interfaith
Officer of the church. In this role, she will be able to devote her energies
to her responsibilities as national president of Church Women United and
especially to supporting the First Presidency as it engages the church in
various faith and community organizations where the church is called to
express its witness of Zion, the peaceable kingdom.
To fill the vacancies in the Council of Twelve, including those created by
the calls of Stephen M. Veazey and David D. Schaal to the First Presidency,
the following counsel is offered:
6. Stassi D. Cramm is called from her role as a counselor to the
presiding bishop and member of the Presiding Bishopric to serve as an apostle
and as a member of the Council of Twelve. Her training and experience in
strategic planning and organizational design, coupled with her enthusiasm for
relevant church ministry, will stand her in good stead as she accepts and
integrates this emerging dimension of calling into her life. She is called to
help the church focus its priorities, procedures, and resources so that it can
more effectively pursue its mission of sharing the liberating truths of the
gospel and promoting communities of peace throughout the world. She is
particularly called, as an apostle, to bear enthusiastic and creative witness
of the living Christ, the source and center of our faith.
7. Ronald D. Harmon Jr. is called from his current assignment to
serve as an apostle and as a member of the Council of Twelve. Ron’s experience
as a pastor and his dedication to the renewal of congregational vision and
mission will be a blessing in the areas where he will serve. In addition, his
leadership development training and experience will enable him to make a vital
contribution to the church as it seeks to expand its base of capable leaders,
pastors, and priesthood. He may accept this call to be an especial witness of
Jesus Christ with the assurance that his place in the Council of Twelve is
timely, and that his ministry will truly make a difference in the forward
movement of the great and marvelous work of the Restoration, which is his
heritage and passion.
8. Rick W. Maupin is called from his current assignment to serve as
an apostle and as a member of the Council of Twelve. Rick’s faith journey,
which has brought him to membership, ministry, and leadership in the church,
provides the foundation for a dynamic witness of response to God’s call, which
sometimes comes in unexpected ways. As one who is truly willing to bear the
burdens of others, he will continue to be the means through which many will
come to a greater experience of the love and purposes of God as revealed in
Jesus Christ. While maintaining his sincere attitude of humility and equal
regard for others, he should apply himself fully to the call to be an apostle.
9. Susan D. Skoor is called from her current assignment to serve as
an apostle and as a member of the Council of Twelve. Susan’s unwavering
willingness to respond as a servant minister according to the needs of the
church is a testament to her devotion to Christ. Her broad experience in
congregational and jurisdictional leadership will be a blessing to the church
wherever she provides apostolic leadership. Susan has unusual insight into the
ways of Jesus Christ, the compassionate healer and peacemaker. This aspect of
her ministry will continue to blossom as she responds to the call to be an
apostle who bears the message of peace and salvation to all who will hear.
Additional counsel is given in relation to filling the vacancy in the
Presiding Bishopric:
10. R. Paul Davis is called to the office of bishop and to serve as
a counselor to the presiding bishop of the church as a member of the Presiding
Bishopric. Paul has been prepared for this role through education, employment
in the world of business, and field ministry as a mission center president and
financial officer. As a result, he has a comprehensive understanding of
various dimensions of church life, administration, finance, and leadership.
Paul will bring a vital contribution of creative insight, skill, and energy in
this new avenue of service during a time when the Presiding Bishopric is being
called upon, along with other World Church leaders, to engender greater
response among our members to the principles of stewardship and generosity to
support our mission.
In addition to the specific counsel offered above, I want to express my
deep appreciation for all those who currently serve as World Church officers
and ministers. It is my hope and prayer that in the days ahead you will sense
with increased clarity your calls to ministry, understanding that it is a
sacred privilege to serve God’s children as representatives of Jesus Christ
and the Community of Christ in the world today. Continue to magnify your
ministry through prayer, study, and unreserved service and you will be blessed
with renewed vision, passion, and enthusiasm. Be fully present with our
members and others as witnesses of the promises, blessings, and peace of the
gospel of Jesus Christ. Even now, I am aware of persons serving as World
Church ministers, and in other vocational and educational settings, who are
being prepared to accept additional callings and responsibilities in the years
ahead as the needs and opportunities before the church shall require.
Stephen M. Veazey
President-Designate
May 25, 2005
