Here is another guest post by Rich Brown, a member of the Community of Christ.
It used to be that World Conference delegates in the Community of Christ arrived in Independence, Missouri, wondering if the church’s prophet-president would submit an inspired document to be considered for inclusion in the Doctrine and Covenants. When they arrive the first week in June, they don’t have to wonder.
On April 6 President Stephen M. Veazey posted just such a document on the church’s website: http://www.cofchrist.org/Common/Cms/resources/Documents/WordsofCounsel04-05-2016.pdf
No doubt he picked that date because it was the church’s “twin birthday”: 186 years since its founding and 156 since its reorganization. Unlike previous years, particularly when the church was known as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS), this move caught nobody off guard. After all, the church had three years advance notice.
In April 2013 President Veazey offered inspired counsel to that conference, asking the church to live with the document, until at least the next scheduled gathering. He addressed the church five times by web video, followed by live Q&A sessions. The church’s monthly magazine also featured regular commentaries. Here’s what he wrote in the preface a couple weeks ago:
“For three years the church prayerfully studied the words of counsel given in 2013. The Holy Spirit confirms the church would be blessed by considering this counsel for inclusion in the Doctrine and Covenants. This document is offered humbly for that purpose as an expression of our cherished principle of Continuing Revelation. While preparing the final document, I stayed open to more divine direction that might enhance the church’s understanding now or in the future. Guidance refined some sentences. In several instances, it also added content for reasons known to God. I also considered prayerfully what portions of the words of counsel applied specifically to when they were given and did not necessarily need to be in the Doctrine and Covenants. So some sentences have been removed. Those sentences either have fulfilled their purposes, or the concepts they highlighted are expressed sufficiently elsewhere in the Doctrine and Covenants. The testimony I offer is assurance that God, the eternal One, lovingly and patiently guides the church according to divine purposes. Let us be grateful for that guidance. May it serve as a pathway of light and hope for all who seek to follow God’s will.”
There’s maybe nothing earth-shatteringly new, at least to Community of Christ members. Early on he focuses on generosity and tithing, which is a sensitive topic to be addressed at the conference through a common-consent process similar to the way national conferences dealt with same-sex ordination and marriage a few years ago:
“Free the full capacity of Christ’s mission through generosity that imitates God’s generosity. Listen to the testimonies of those responding generously. Follow your soul’s yearning to come home to God’s grace and generosity. Let gratitude show you the way. Remember, a basic discipleship principle is growing Christ’s mission through local and world mission tithes according to true capacity. Giving to other worthwhile organizations, while an important part of A Disciple’s Generous Response, should not diminish or replace mission tithes. Tithing is a spiritual practice that demonstrates willingness to offer every dimension of one’s life to God. When defined by faith, love, and hopeful planning, including resolving unwise debt, capacity to respond becomes much greater than initially assumed. Stewardship as response to the ministry of Christ is more than individual giving. It includes the generosity of congregations and jurisdictions that give to worldwide ministries of the church to strengthen community in Christ in all nations. Sharing for the common good is the spirit of Zion.” (paragraph 2)
This is followed by a renewed commitment to human diversity:
“More fully embody your oneness and equality in Jesus Christ. Oneness and equality in Christ are realized through the waters of baptism, confirmed by the Holy Spirit, and sustained through the sacrament of Communion. Embrace the full meaning of these sacraments and be spiritually joined in Christ as never before. However, it is not right to profess oneness and equality in Christ through sacramental covenants and then to deny them by word or action. Such behavior wounds Christ’s body and denies what is resolved eternally in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. You do not fully understand many interrelated processes of human creation. Through its wonderful complexity, creation produces diversity and order. Be not consumed with concern about variety in human types and characteristics as you see them. Be passionately concerned about forming inclusive communities of love, oneness, and equality that reveal divine nature. Oneness and equality in Christ do not mean uniformity. They mean Unity in Diversity and relating in Christ-like love to the circumstances of others as if they were one’s own. They also mean full opportunity for people to experience human worth and related rights, including expressing God-given giftedness in the church and society.” (paragraph 3)
This emphasis could well be in response to an unexpected number of LDS Seekers recently. Nobody wants even the appearance of proselytizing, given the friendly relationship between the two churches. But with a growing number of LDS young adults investigating the church, leaders sensed an opportunity to create a welcoming sanctuary, especially for those desiring greater participation for women and the LGBT community. Events in the LDS church in the past few months have accelerated the movement. Unfortunately, for mainly historical reasons, there aren’t a great many Community of Christ congregations in the intermountain west. Still, the Salt Lake City congregation, in particular, has been reinvigorated, as have other congregations and start-up mission groups.
One sign church leaders have high hopes in this area is the calling of Robin Linkhart to the Council of Twelve Apostles. As a President of Seventy and SLC pastor, she has guided the LDS Seeker movement up to now (www.latter-dayseekers.org/ ) and will continue to give it direction in her new role in the Council of Twelve. (A full list of top leadership changes is here: www.cofchrist.org/Common/Cms/documents/LetterofCounsel03-31-16.pdf )
What are your thoughts concerning this revelation? Are you surprised to hear that the Community of Christ is experiencing an influx of LDS members due to the LDS Church’s stance on LGBT issues? What are your thoughts that a renewed emphasis on tithing was an important part of this revelation? Do you like the fact that the Community of Christ continues to add revelations to the Doctrine & Covenants?
A bit embarrassed to admit that I was off with the actual release date of this document by one day–April 5 not 6. But then, what’s wrong with celebrating a birthday (even the church’s) a day early?
Interesting. How are they doing with the Restorationists?
Interesting as a whole.
The juxtaposition of the part on tithes with the commitment to human diversity was also interesting in particular to your commentary on LDS Seekers: I had observed in comments on the bloggernacle over the last few years that one of the moves amongst those becoming disaffected with the LDS church was to take their tithes from payment to the church and instead to make equivalent donations to charitable organisations of their choice. So whilst it has general application, it can also perhaps be read as addressing that group particularly who are now aligning themselves with CofChrist, and have become accustomed to making their donations outside of a church organisation, maybe…
As far as the relationship between Community of Christ and those in the Restorationist groups, I really can’t envision a meeting of the minds. because the CofChrist continues to move further away from the “RLDS originalism” represented by that group. Granted, I’m hardly an impartial observer here. I was raised in an RLDS congregation that highly valued rules/law and placed a pretty rigid concept of divine judgment at the core of who we were. Today, the CofChrist places great emphasis on Enduring Principles [http://www.cofchrist.org/enduring-principles] with grace defining divine activity. I tend to think Restorationists would be far more likely to move toward the LDS church than CofChrist. I’m simply not familiar enough with either group to know if that is indeed the case.
Tip of the Hat to President Veazey
A message of compassion and diversity is very Christ-like and feels good to me.
I like part about how we don’t know God’s ways of creation and how diversity is part of the plan.
Makes me want to visit a CofChrist congregation.
Do you think having a smaller membership allows the leaders to be more nimble and quick to implement changes as opposed to the bigger ship in SLC?
I think part 3 of the document is something I’d love to see the LDS church appropriate and ratify by common consent. Of course, I’d also love a billion dollars and for Justin Bieber to never make another record. The vanity of human wishes. But still, this document, among other things, indicates extraordinary inclusiveness. Would that the mainstream LDS church could emulate this.
Hedgehog: The tithing changes are not directly related to new LDS Seekers, although it’s interesting that a similar “tithing option” had developed in both churchesalbeit for different reasons.
Back in the day, the CofC/RLDS approach to tithing was fairly simple: annual income minus necessary living expenses = Increase. Multiply that amount by 10% to come up with tithing due. It did require some bookkeeping, however. Within the last decade or two some unofficial & official interpretations spread throughout the church, with the understanding that contributions to church affiliates and so-called community tithes began to be considered part of the whole picture. Not surprisingly, direct tithing payments to the church began to dip. That combined with stagnant, declining, and/or aging membership reduced tithing income substantially.
The First Presidency will introduce legislation at World Conference to redefine tithing. It will be discussed “by common consent.” Instead of an up or down vote, delegates will discuss and then vote electronically on a range of positions: very opposed, somewhat opposed, neutral, somewhat in favor, very much in favor. It is hope that eventually a position will emerge that receives at least a two-thirds treshold.
Although the proposed legislation is lengthy for a blog comment (I apologize), I’ll present it here, mainly so I don’t unintentionally misrepresent it:
Definition of Tithing to Support Mission
“Tithing is offerings to support local, mission center, and worldwide church ministries. Tithing is a disciple’s generous response to God’s grace and generosity revealed in Jesus Christ. A disciple’s calling is to give according to true capacity as a witness of God’s generosity and as a spiritual practice that helps disciples grow in relationship to God.
“Disciples strive first to share 10 percent or more of their annual income as tithing before saving and spending. We recognize that for some people, there is not enough annual income to meet basic living expenses. Then tithing is an offering of any amount or item desired, including offering one’s life in service to Christ and the church.
Tithing is given to local and worldwide church ministries in equal amounts. The concept of “community tithe” no longer is included in the church’s definition of tithing. Giving to church affiliates is a priority after tithing, not a substitute for tithing. Contributing to other charitable organizations that recognize the worth of people and are committed to bringing Christ’s ministry to them is highly encouraged as an expression of community-minded discipleship.
“As understanding of God’s grace grows with true capacity to give through wise savings, responsible spending, and debt reduction, disciples make additional tithing contributions. This often includes contributions and estate gifts to church endowments that ensure one’s legacy as an ongoing generous contributor to Christ’s mission.”
“The CofChrist continues to move further away from the “RLDS originalism” represented by that group”; and they are experiencing the results. A decrease in tithe-payers; many give to just their local congregations. The members who embrace the new direction of the church obviously didn’t include tithing; only 20% of the membership are tithers and the medial age of that group is 60.
LDS Seekers reminds me of the RLDS efforts to bring the “Brighamites” back to the true church in the 1860’s. If someone is completely disaffected with the LDS it might be okay, because the CofChrist worship services shy away from any connection to “Mormonism”. That’s partly the reason, as Rich has stated, there’s no focus on reaching out to the Restorationists (RLDS splinter groups).
I want to reiterate that the LDS Seekers program was begun in response to disaffected, young-adult LDS members seeking sanctuary. It has nothing to do with a missionary effort by the Community of Christ.
That’s interesting. Thanks Rich (#7).
So church affiliates and community would be local congregation projects or additional whole church projects?
I’m just wondering what the LDS equivalent might be. Back when I was young we had tithing, but then also local budget contributions, mission fund, fast offering… But at some point local budget contributions were no longer required, things were centralised and budgets were funded centrally from tithing donations. There are still fast offering, mission fund, and more recently perpetual education fund, and humanitarian aid contributions that can be made in addition. Would these be the equivalent of the church affiliate funds you mention? I’m not sure that for LDS these additional contributions were ever seen as part of a whole tithe, I’ve certainly never heard of it. Though I have read a report of someone paying their full tithe as a fast offering contribution (which was believed to remain locally) rather than as tithing which would go to Salt Lake, as a form of protest. A different form of protest to paying it to outside charitable organisations. However the LDS contribution form now has various disclaimers as to which fund contributions will end up, irrespective of where the giver assigns them – possibly this is what is what is fueling some of the discontent and disaffection on the financial perspective.
Hedgehog:
Church affiliates would include: Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa (the Nursing School and Seminary are in Independence); development organizations such as Outreach International and World Accord (Canada); Historic Sites Assoc.; Dome & Spire Foundation (promoting musical events at the Independence Temple & Auditorium); and numerous professional organizations (educators, medical/dental, law enforcement, etc.). I’m sure I’ve left something important out.
Also many local jurisdictions support non-profits doing things like senior housing, food pantries, preschools, thrift shops, etc. My own congregation operates a Necessities Pantry twice a month, providing items not available with food stamps.
All good stuff, certainly, but the FP wants to emphasize that tithing should come first. Everything fits under the umbrella of being generous stewards.
This was interesting and gave me more perspective on the wiki entry.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community_of_Christ