Add Your Voice to the Tapestry

By Apostle Art Smith
All Voices Conference, Saturday 15 May, 2021

I really hope that your experience today will inspire you to be part of the Testimony Tapestry. We need to hear your voice and your story. Friends, D&C 163:11 invites us:

11a. God is calling for a prophetic community to emerge, drawn from the nations of the world, that is characterized by uncommon devotion to the compassion and peace of God revealed in Jesus Christ. Through divine grace and wisdom, this faith community has been given abundant gifts, resources, and opportunities to equip it to become such a people. Chief among these is the power of community in Christ expressed locally in distinctive fashions while upholding a unity of vision, foundational beliefs, and mission throughout the world.

11b. There are many issues that could easily consume the time and energy of the church. However, the challenge before a prophetic people is to discern and pursue what matters most for the journey ahead.

These words help bring purpose to our pondering. May our discernment this year be purposeful pondering. One definition of discernment comes from Ruth Haley Barton: Discernment is “seeking to be attentive and alert to God’s activity in and among us so that we can respond faithfully.”

In the coming weeks, consider implementing a few discernment practices. Ask yourself:

• Where do I notice spiritual movements of consolation and desolation in me or in the communities I am part of? What feels right, or energizing? What drains energy or isn’t as hopeful? Ponder these things. (You may even write these down to see if patterns or insights emerge over time.)
• What voices do I need to make more intentional space to hear? As I visit with friends about Community of Christ, and about what matters most and about the future, What do I hear that is unspoken? What does God want me to notice about these interactions?
• When do I notice myself driving an agenda and when do I feel open to God and others?
• What rhythms are forming me/us as Community of Christ in my/our context?
• When I hold these rhythms in prayer, where do I sense harmony with the Holy Spirit and where do I sense dissonance?

So, I hope you’ll join with us in this year of discernment that we’re calling All Voices - Discerning Across Canada.