2010
World Conference
Legislation
23 September 2009
World Conference legislation will be communicated as it becomes
available via:
E-mail to mission center leaders, asking them to decide how to
best share legislation
with their congregations.
Publication as “Official” announcements in the Herald
magazine, starting in October 2009.
World Church leaders acknowledge that there are World Conference
legislative items that may cause individuals and groups pain and
frustration because of differences in their personal, scriptural,
theological, legal, and sacramental perspectives. As an
international community of faith, this issue is further complicated
by the diverse customs and languages of our members.
Several Expanded World Church Leadership Council members serve in
places where topics raised by particular legislative items have
never been, or are illegal, to discuss. Placing these legislative
items on the Community of Christ Web site would do harm to our
faithful leaders in these nations. To ensure the well-being of our
leaders and members, no legislation will be posted on the
Community of Christ Web site at this time.
As the body of Christ, it is imperative that the church
approaches these legislative issues with great care, understanding,
and sensitivity to the voices and perspectives of members throughout
the world. As an international church represented in nearly fifty
nations, it is important that we learn to talk about divisive issues
without separating from the body.
We have been counseled as a church to “Listen together to one
another, without judgment or predisposition. Do not assume that the
answers to matters of conflict have yet been perceived. There is
much labor to be done. Reason together in love, and the Spirit of
truth will prevail.” (Doctrine and Covenants 162:5c).
While the church seeks agreement or common consent in important
matters, we must commit to ongoing dialogue and lovingly upholding
our common faith in Jesus Christ and the mission of the church. |