Canadian National Conference - How to Prepare

Preparing for the dialogue sessions

As we discuss marriage and ordination of people in same-sex relationships, it’s important to put aside your own agenda and expectations. Come to the conversations with an open mind, willing to listen to all opinions. It isn’t easy to put aside your own opinions as you enter into the discussion. Your facilitator will provide you with some background information, and then ask you to quietly reflect and pray that God’s Spirit will guide you and enlighten your mind and the minds of all those present.

Then you will have an opportunity to share your feelings and ideas about the information presented. Please focus on the specific information presented by the facilitator at each session. In order to allow all people to share, it’s important to stay focused and avoid moving the conversation to different topics.

Depending on the needs in your own area, the discussion may focus on any or all of the following topics:

  i)  Six ways of seeking God’s will
  ii)  Marriage definition and covenant in Community of Christ, and Canadian law
  iii)  Ordination guidelines and procedures in Community of Christ
  iv)  Understanding current scientific and sociological research on sexuality
  v)  Scriptures on homosexuality, grace and calling
  vi)  Understanding common consent
  vii)  Sharing personal stories and hearing the stories of other people

In each session there will be opportunities for individuals and small groups to listen and engage in spiritual practices to help you seek God’s will. After each discussion, the facilitator will ask people to show their level of support for various statements, and they will record the results.

There is no predetermined outcome to the conference. All of the information gathered during the discussion sessions, plus the level of consent recorded at the conference, will be sent to the First Presidency and Council of Twelve. They will read and reflect on the report from Canada, to determine if the support among church people is high enough to make a change in current policies—policies that prohibit our priesthood members from performing same-sex marriages, and prohibit ordination for people in same-sex relationships. So you see, our purpose is not to change policy, but to share honestly with the First Presidency how we think and feel. If a policy is changed, it will be because the Canadian Community of Christ has reached a high level of agreement on an issue.

We need to hear your ideas. Our report must reflect the feelings and thinking of as many members as possible. Please make a commitment to be present at all the discussion sessions, and participate by sharing your ideas.