At the Community of Christ World Conference this past week I have been blessed to be a part of smaller group meetings of world leaders called to serve outwardly in the world, sharing Christ’s peace. As leaders, a few of us decided that due to the number present, it might best to join together for our discussions. What this resulted in was about 30 people, from 15 countries, speaking and being translated into 4 languages. Unsurprisingly, the first day was tough. People did not know one another. Translation was being missed as people talked too quickly or over the top of the interpretation. There were long, awkward pauses as people were unsure about sharing their heart and true thoughts.
The second day I decided to try something different. I rearranged the chairs, so we were sitting in a circle, with the translators included. We divided into small groups to discuss things, and then shared another’s thoughts back in the larger group.
At the end of the third day, I took a moment to look around the room. Before me I saw a mix of cultures speaking in different tongues and listening through gifted translation. I saw it was possible to be united as a global family while discussing serious issues such as the climate emergency, racial justice, oppression, and how we accept others. I realised that as wonderful as this experience is, it is not currently available for everyone to share with the worldwide Community of Christ, whether due to visa requirements, finances, or personal reasons. My great hope is that one day this experience to engage in dialogue with each other, to discuss issues and policies that affect the church and the world will be more freely available.
What’s even more important than being present, however, is looking for ways to put our words into action. For these discussions and World Church resolutions must not simply sit on a page in history, but to help shape us as disciples, move us forward as a community. The theme for the conference is “Courage” and there are plenty of opportunities where we can take supported resolutions, important issues and decisions made by our word-wide family of faith and respond with our courageous actions.
How will we respond?
In the coming weeks as these supported resolutions are shared I invite you to read over them, not just for the sake of information, but to see how they can shape the discussions and actions you can add to your life and discipleship. How can you make them a part of your life and our future here in Australia?
Adam Wade
Interim Mission Centre President - Australia