Community Of Christ Invitation

[Damien the Leper]

Not at all. I'm simply saying that I'm growing to suspect that you speak from a position of personal knowledge when you tell us what the CofC does.

In other words, that you might see your CofC "friend" in the mirror each morning.

Regards,

Pahoran

Well, I'm definitely not the Mission Center President or Mission Center Financial Officer.

I also know several people from different Restoration churches. I know some from the Temple Lot out in Scottsdale, AZ. I know several in the Arizona Mission Center of Community of Christ. I met a young (maybe 20 or 21 years old) member of the Church of Jesus Christ (Bickertonite) out in East Mesa. I also attended Valley of the Sun Restoration Branch.

But do I in some way identify with the mission of Community of Christ...yes. Not because it is more liberal but because I like the idea of not having a check list of things to believe in order to be a member.

Maybe I am being called to Community of Christ...who knows?

Edited February 14, 2012 by Valentinus

[Storm Rider]

My aunt and uncle belong to the Community of Christ. They are what is known as true Christian people; they are a wonderful example to me. They have had a devil of time staying within the CofC fold. This past 20 years their church has changed so much that in many ways they feel it has become untethered from its proper foundation. As of now they remain in the Church, but if their church continues down its liberal path, they will find one of the RLDS offshoots I suspect for membership.

[Freedom]

Are there examples of doctrinal changes with the CoC over the past 40 years?

[why me]

The site was recommended because Community of Christ seems to have drawn the attention of many LDS who are looking for a new spiritual home or who believe they are being called by God to fellowship with Community of Christ.

Since the CoC has the same foundational roots as the mainstream lds church, I don't see how this church can offer an alternative to questioning lds. Quite a few people who have left the lds fold over history would not find solace with the CoC. Most exlds tend to head to the UU church for awhile as a halfway house. But the CoC would have a problem in explaining how JS was not a polygamist to a former lds member who left over JS's polygamy.

[Storm Rider]

Are there examples of doctrinal changes with the CoC over the past 40 years?

One of the major ones is the change in priesthood and women being ordained. The First Vision and its doctrinal significance on the Godhead has also been put aside in favor of Trinitarianism. They still have not, to my knowledge, came out formally and begun to approve and accept openly gay individuals in leadership positions, but it is moving in that direction. Those are just a few off the top of my head.

[why me]

My aunt and uncle belong to the Community of Christ. They are what is known as true Christian people; they are a wonderful example to me. They have had a devil of time staying within the CofC fold. This past 20 years their church has changed so much that in many ways they feel it has become untethered from its proper foundation. As of now they remain in the Church, but if their church continues down its liberal path, they will find one of the RLDS offshoots I suspect for membership.

I think a restorationist alternative within the old RLDS may be more appealing to some former members. But again we have the same problem with both the RLDS and the LDS having the same foundational claims. I am trying to understand just how a former lds would find a better home within the RLDS(restorationist) branch.

[Calm]

Since the CoC has the same foundational roots as the mainstream lds church, I don't see how this church can offer an alternative to questioning lds. Quite a few people who have left the lds fold over history would not find solace with the CoC. Most exlds tend to head to the UU church for awhile as a halfway house. But the CoC would have a problem in explaining how JS was not a polygamist to a former lds member who left over JS's polygamy.

Unless that former LDS is satisfied with the position that JS was wrong on some things, which IIRC (if anyone knows differently, please correct me) is the current postion of the CoC (though some RLDS denominations hold the position that JS wasn't involved in polygamy, that is was a creation of BY.)

[Storm Rider]

I think a restorationist alternative within the old RLDS may be more appealing to some former members. But again we have the same problem with both the RLDS and the LDS having the same foundational claims. I am trying to understand just how a former lds would find a better home within the RLDS(restorationist) branch.

It may be an outreach position of the CofC, but any LDS that seeks to leave the Church would find CofC to be quite protestant in feel and doctrine. Their meetings are different from our own. They are good people and they are trying to find a place in the world, but their membership has been shrinking for some time.

[Scott Lloyd]

I am only reporting what my friend says, and I trust him to be a good observer as well as telling the truth.

However credible you may perceive him, what you report him to have said does not ring true and sounds like typical unsubstantiated rumor. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ cooperates with the Community of Christ in the conservation of documents of mutual interest, and our people associate with theirs in historical organizations. But that's not the same as what you describe here.

[Damien the Leper]

However credible you may perceive him, what you report him to have said does not ring true and sounds like typical unsubstantiated rumor. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ cooperates with the Community of Christ in the conservation of documents of mutual interest, and our people associate with theirs in historical organizations. But that's not the same as what you describe here.

Exactly.

[why me]

Unless that former LDS is satisfied with the position that JS was wrong on some things, which IIRC (if anyone knows differently, please correct me) is the current postion of the CoC (though some RLDS denominations hold the position that JS wasn't involved in polygamy, that is was a creation of BY.)

I think that the CoC is much more than that. Most lds would not recognize anything mormon in that faith. What they could possibly rely on are the foundational claims and a common early history. And perhaps some sympathy for 'hurt feeling' since there could be some emphatical feelings in the CoC for former mormons.

[why me]

It may be an outreach position of the CofC, but any LDS that seeks to leave the Church would find CofC to be quite protestant in feel and doctrine. Their meetings are different from our own. They are good people and they are trying to find a place in the world, but their membership has been shrinking for some time.

Their membership used to be a steady 250,000. I do not know if it has shrunk lower than that figure. I think that it was an interesting church when it was called The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. They should have stuck with that name instead of distancing themselves from their mormon roots.

[zerinus]

However credible you may perceive him, what you report him to have said does not ring true and sounds like typical unsubstantiated rumor. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ cooperates with the Community of Christ in the conservation of documents of mutual interest, and our people associate with theirs in historical organizations. But that's not the same as what you describe here.

Exactly.

I admit that I have no direct evidence to prove this, but I believe the source of my information was credible. This refers to several years ago, not now. If there are other LDS who know anything about this, I hope they will provide additional information.

[Damien the Leper]

Since the CoC has the same foundational roots as the mainstream lds church, I don't see how this church can offer an alternative to questioning lds. Quite a few people who have left the lds fold over history would not find solace with the CoC. Most exlds tend to head to the UU church for awhile as a halfway house. But the CoC would have a problem in explaining how JS was not a polygamist to a former lds member who left over JS's polygamy.

Unlike the Restorationists, Community of Christ no longer denies JS polygamy and polyandry. Community of Christ also openly discusses the more controversial issues in Restoration history...even in the church setting. I applaud this because they appear to encourage all congregants to study out more intimately the Restoration and its unique and rich history.

[wenglund]

Maybe I am being called to Community of Christ...who knows?

If so, I wish you well in that calling.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

[Freedom]

One of the major ones is the change in priesthood and women being ordained. The First Vision and its doctrinal significance on the Godhead has also been put aside in favor of Trinitarianism. They still have not, to my knowledge, came out formally and begun to approve and accept openly gay individuals in leadership positions, but it is moving in that direction. Those are just a few off the top of my head.

One could argue that there is no doctrine limiting the priesthood to men, it is just the current practice. Also, there are openly gay individuals in leadership positions on the LDS church, just not openly practicing gay people. The trinity, however, would be a key doctrine.

[Damien the Leper]

If so, I wish you well in that calling.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

Thanks, Wade.

[Damien the Leper]

One could argue that there is no doctrine limiting the priesthood to men, it is just the current practice. Also, there are openly gay individuals in leadership positions on the LDS church, just not openly practicing gay people. The trinity, however, would be a key doctrine.

From the official Community of Christ site:

God

We believe in one living God who meets us in the testimony of Israel, is revealed in Jesus Christ, and moves through all creation as the Holy Spirit. We affirm the Trinity—God who is a community of three persons. All things that exist owe their being to God: mystery beyond understanding and love beyond imagination. This God alone is worthy of our worship.

Jesus Christ

We believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, the Word made flesh, the Savior of the world, fully human and fully divine. Through Jesus’ life and ministry, death and resurrection, God reconciles the world and breaks down the walls that divide. Christ is our peace.

I think the word choice of how they define God and Jesus is interesting. I'm not sure that their definition of Trinity is exactly matching that of the mainstream Protestants.

[Freedom]

From the official Community of Christ site:

I think the word choice of how they define God and Jesus is interesting. I'm not sure that their definition of Trinity is exactly matching that of the mainstream Protestants.

Interesting. Thanks.

[Grundelwalken]

One of the major ones is the change in priesthood and women being ordained.

A coworker, who was raised RLDS, told me the story of his family and their reaction to the change in priesthood. They knew it was not of God and since the only other Church that held the Book of Mormon (the reason they became RLDS) to be the word of God was the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they all were baptized LDS. It took some time to overcome the bitter pill they had to swallow but they have been active and faithful. MW

[Alan]

I am joining this discussion late.

I was once one of those disillusioned Mormons who left and joined the Community of Christ. I found it to be a poor shadow of the LDS Church despite it's faults. The whole experience, which spanned a number of years, was thoroughly disappointing.

[Damien the Leper]

I am joining this discussion late.

I was once one of those disillusioned Mormons who left and joined the Community of Christ. I found it to be a poor shadow of the LDS Church despite it's faults. The whole experience, which spanned a number of years, was thoroughly disappointing.

I'm sorry you didn't have a good experience.

[Damien the Leper]

A coworker, who was raised RLDS, told me the story of his family and their reaction to the change in priesthood. They knew it was not of God and since the only other Church that held the Book of Mormon (the reason they became RLDS) to be the word of God was the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they all were baptized LDS. It took some time to overcome the bitter pill they had to swallow but they have been active and faithful. MW

That is a false assumption of their own. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, The Church of Jesus Christ, The Temple Lot, etc. all hold to a conservative and traditional belief in the Book of Mormon.

Also, the women/priesthood issue that many like to kick and scream about is historically a non-issue. But we have gone round for round on this argument and all that ends up happening is the throwing of weight around that women and priesthood is wrong because the LDS church is the one true church.

[mfbukowski]

At what point does this thread constitute "preaching"?

[Alan]

For me the women in the priesthood thing was not an issue, as it wouldn't be if that was to happen in the LDS church now or in the future. There were other issues such as practicing homosexuals in the priesthood, sanctioned at the very top of the church, even though it was against church policy. The changing of the sacrament prayers and the neutering of God. The persistent downplaying of the Book of Mormon to such an extent that I couldn't even find one in our church building and nobody wanted to talk about it. The whole succession debacle when McMurray resigned....the list goes on. And the latest, of course, is the changing of the requirement to be baptised in order to join the CofC - confirmation will do if you have been baptised elsewhere! And that is clearly pandering to the requirements of the National/World Council of Churches.

I have known a number of people who have defected to the RLDS/CofC over the years and without exception all of them have returned to the LDS fold.

Edited February 15, 2012 by Alan