Delegates to the Community of Christ 2005 World Conference overwhelmingly
approved the recommendation from the Council of Twelve that Stephen M. Veazey
is divinely called to be prophet-president of the church. In his statement to
the Conference preceding its discussion, Steve lifted up his family and spoke
of his understanding of the role and his call.
In his acceptance of this call, Steve said, “When the announcement of this
call was made, I cannot deny that I have been prompted by the Spirit of God to
not flee from this calling, despite my hesitancies, but to allow my name to
come before the World Conference and to trust the church in its response. I
say this with a great deal of trust and respect for those processes in the
church that call for corporate spiritual discernment and the expression of
common consent in these matters.”
He expressed his understanding of the primary functions of prophetic
ministry, as he understands it, “is to get the church moving into the future,
because of our very human tendency to want to stay where we are or to go back
to familiar territory. The irony of the action that is before you today is
that you are, in essence, being asked to support someone who will be called
upon to make you uncomfortable at times. If you raise your hands in support of
this call you are saying to me, in a very real sense, do your best to discern
and proclaim the truth about what God is calling us to be and do, even if it
disturbs us at times.”
Steve left the Conference Chamber for delegate discussion. Reports were
received from the councils, quorums, orders, caucuses, and mass meetings. All
offered their support for the call. The motion was approved with a majority
vote and an outburst of applause filled the Conference Chamber as delegates
and guests rose to their feet.
Steve was escorted back to the Conference Chamber by Presiding Bishop Larry
Norris, Apostle Jac Kirkpatrick, Senior President of Seventy Bob Kyser, and
President of the High Priest Qurorum Bill Barnhard as the congregation sang
“We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet.” Steve invited his wife Cathi to join him
on the rostrum.
Steve said, “I am deeply humbled by the confidence and support that you
have expressed today… I will respond to this call to the best of my ability
and apply myself from this point forward without reservation trusting in God
to light the way into the future. May God continue to bless us as we pursue
the business of this Conference and, most importantly, as we continue to
pursue the mission of the church throughout the world.”
He will be ordained this evening, June 3, in a service at 7:00 p.m. at the
Community of Christ Auditorium. All are invited to attend. This
service will also be broadcast live via Dish Network, local cable, and on the
Web at www.CofChrist.org.
The World Conference is being held June 2-5 at the Community of Christ
Auditorium in Independence, Missouri. Check for daily updates and more
information at
www.CofChrist.org/wc2005/.
