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Overview of the USA National Conference

Overview of the USA National Conference. April 19-21, 2013 http://www.cofchrist.org/usaconf/. A Response to God’s Call and the Mission of Jesus Christ. D&C 164: 7a-d

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Overview of the USA National Conference

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  1. Overview of the USA National Conference April 19-21, 2013 http://www.cofchrist.org/usaconf/

  2. A Response to God’s Call and the Mission of Jesus Christ • D&C 164: 7a-d • …Timely resolution of pressing issues in various nations is necessary for the restoring work of the gospel to move forward with all of its potential.

  3. A Response to God’s Call and the Mission of Jesus Christ • D&C 164: 7a-d • Where possible and appropriate, convene national or field conferences to provide opportunities for broader dialogue, understanding, and consent.

  4. Purpose of the Conference • Indicate level of support regarding Marriage and Ordination of persons in same-gender /sex relationships

  5. Specific Issues • Extending the sacrament of marriage to persons of the same sex/gender OR providing a church-recognized way for two persons of the same sex/gender to publicly express their commitment to each other. • Allowing people in committed, monogamous, long-term, same sex/gender relationships (legal marriage, civil union, church-recognized commitment) to be considered for ordination.

  6. What is the Current Policy? • Those in same sex/gender relationships cannot be ordained. • Priesthood members cannot perform same sex/gender marriages.

  7. Dates of USA National Conference • April 19 – 21, 2013 • Changed from July 2012 to April 2013 • Financial Impact on Participants • Follows the World Conference

  8. Election of Delegates • Delegates elected at the Fall 2012 Mission Center Conferences • Election of Delegates for USA National Conference is Separate from Election of Delegates for World Conference • Delegate numbers per Mission Center to be announced (1500 delegates plus ex-officio)

  9. Journeying Together – Prior to Conference • Australia and Canada National Conferences will occur in June 2012 • Outcome of these conferences does not signal direction for USA National Conference

  10. Journeying Together – Prior to Conference • Be intentionally prayerful and open to God’s Spirit • Engage in preparatory activities and gatherings • Participate in Delegate training

  11. • Provide questions and spiritual practices that foster deep receptivity to God’s “will” regarding the issues before the conference. • Encourage spiritual friendship and relational sharing that support unity and diversity in the body of Christ. • Deepen our understanding of discernment and move the church toward a particular Community of Christ patternormodel for seeking God’s “will.”

  12. “The Role of Scripture in Discerning God's Will” • “Ways of Discovering God's Will” —Stephen M. Veazey (36:24) •Video: Listening Guide (PDF) • “Using Scripture in Community of Christ” —Barbara Carter (16:59) •Video: Listening Guide (PDF)

  13. Journeying Together– During Conference • Check-in begins at 7:00 PM, Thursday, April 18 • Registration Fees • Estimated EARLY Registration: $120 • Regular Registration: $160 • Student Registration: $100 • Opening Session at 8:00 AM, Friday, April 19

  14. Journeying Together– During Conference • Be open to God’s Spirit • Listen with an open mind • Practice “Holy Indifference” • Participate in all activities

  15. Activities During Conference • An ongoing experience of Worship • Ministry by President Veazey • Moments of Blessing • Testimonies from Various Perspectives • Questions and Answers

  16. Consent Building Process • Express a level of support for specific statements • Express why you indicated that support level by choosing a statement that best describes your perspective • View summarized results regarding what level of support the body indicated for a specific topic and why it indicated that support level

  17. Consent Building Process • Not using Robert’s Rules of Order • Electronic System used to indicate level of support and respond to the “why” question • Each delegate’s input is essential to creating the conference’s recommendation

  18. Consent Building Process • Multiple opportunities to express our understanding where God is leading us • Multiple opportunities to understand WHY and HOW this understanding is held

  19. Determining Consent • USA Team of Apostles continues to prayerfully consider what constitutes consent of the body • Level of support required to declare consent of the body ranges somewhere between a simple majority and unanimity • More to be announced

  20. Journeying Together – After Conference • “Do not be defined by the things that separate you but by the things that unite you in Jesus Christ.” (D&C162:5a) • Nurture and Maintain Relationships

  21. Journeying Together – After Conference • The Mission of Jesus Christ is what matters most for the journey ahead. D&C 164:7f

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