A Moment with the CWM Mission Centre President (Part 4 in a Series)

Black Lives Matter
Indigenous Lives Matter
Lives of People of Colour Matter
 
Today, “We Share… the Peace of Jesus Christ.”
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives.”
-John 14:27 NRSV
 
“God’s revelation in Jesus Christ and continuing presence through the Holy Spirit, as proclaimed through scripture, is the foundation of our faith, identity, mission, message, and beliefs.” (Sharing in Community of Christ, p. 13) There is no better or firmer statement of how central Jesus Christ is to the Community of Christ. The life and ministry of Jesus as recorded in scripture and the continuing presence of the resurrected Jesus among us today, including the Holy Spirit, is the “foundation” for every other statement of faith and belief that we will share in this series of short essays.
 
The church, since its inception in 1830, has had a central concept known as “Zion.” It has always been considered to be representative of the “Kingdom of God” on earth. Early concepts of Zion, indeed concepts that existed well into the twentieth century, envisioned it as a physical, geographic place that would be governed under the prophetic influences of God. Its divine features would “shine as Zion” beyond its borders and positively influence both its neighbours and communities around the world. Today the call to “bring forth and establish the cause of Zion” (Book of Doctrine and Covenants, section 6, verse 3) is understood as “the call to share the peace of Jesus Christ in all of its personal, interpersonal, community, and worldwide dimensions.” (Sharing in Community of Christ, p. 14)
 
Members of Community of Christ are called to be “the church” wherever they live and work and participate in society and to do their part to encourage Christ-like conditions in their part of the world and thus to “build Zion” in a worldwide context.
 
Sharing the peace of Jesus Christ is a concept and process that continues to be explored for greater understanding within the church. We believe that God has more to reveal to us about this great goal. We believe that the call to be disciples of Jesus will make us better citizens and allow us to demonstrate the positive influence that Christian principles can have on local and world-wide communities.

14 For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. … 17 So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.
-Ephesians 2: 14,17 NRSV
 
The peace of Jesus can unite us, can break down walls between us, can resolve hostility, and bring together people both near and far – geographically, spiritually, and politically. In short, the peace of Jesus can change the world!
 
I pray for you God’s blessings of joy, hope, love, and peace in these challenging times.
 
Steve Thompson
Canada West Mission Centre President
steve@communityofchrist.ca