 By: Leandro Palacios, Director of Communications In the first weeks of February of 2026, I had the privilege of attending the International Writers’ Summit in the city of Roxas, in the heart of the island of Luzon in the Philippines. This was a unique event organized by the Community of Christ World Church and facilitated by the Spiritual Formations Team. About seventy leaders, musicians, artists, and young voices representing twenty-four countries around the world where our church is established — from Brazil to Nepal and from Canada to French Polynesia — gathered together. Every day we met to create worship resources — including music, poems, prayers, and sermon helps — that speak from the perspectives of people living in different places, who are of different genders, ages, and ethnic backgrounds, among many other diversities that made each participant truly unique. This was a life-changing opportunity for all those attending because we were able to experience the real diversity that exists within our church. Yes, we are one church. No matter where it is found, Community of Christ shares nine Enduring Principles, five Mission Initiatives, as well as a set of basic beliefs and an honest approach to history and scripture. Our statement on scripture, in particular, calls us to recognize that behind the words we read in the Bible, there are human authors shaped by the circumstances they were facing in the time and place of composition. This is what we call the context of scripture. To understand a specific passage of scripture, we need to make sure we understand the context, including who the author was, who they were writing to, where they lived, and what was happening in that part of the world at the time. When we understand the context, ancient texts that can sound obscure and challenging begin to speak to us in the present tense, allowing us to hear the living voice of God, which always addresses our own lives and our own context. Because our church exists today in so many places around the world, the living voice of God speaks to each one of us, addressing our context. As a result, for someone in Liberia or Australia, the beliefs and values we share will be lived, felt, and expressed very differently from someone in Norway or Honduras. One God, one scripture, but a living voice that acquires particular meaning according to the challenges and joys of life in diverse places. I learned about the importance of context during my seminary education. Not only for reading the Bible, but also for understanding the ideas that theologians propose — we must understand who they are and what their context was. However, it wasn’t until I participated in the Writers’ Summit that I finally got a real taste of what this means. The diverse context of each one of the participants was expressed in fullness, unapologetically, and with absolute joy. The many languages and accents, the typical attire and hairstyles, the different rhythms of the songs each one sang, and above all, the stories we shared — and how scripture has provided guidance, comfort, and inspiration in the face of challenges I myself had never experienced, or in some cases even imagined. The Writers’ Summit was intense. I felt overwhelmed by emotions, from moments of outrage and exhaustion to moments of absolute, almost inexplicable joy — whether by doing something I had always looked at with suspicion, or by making a deep connection with someone very different from myself. All these feelings are expressed in the material we created together. The Spiritual Formations Team is currently compiling all this content, and these resources will be available in the near future. And yet, in the middle of all that diversity, something else became clear. We did not become the same. We did not lose our accents, our rhythms, our preferences, or our stories. But we began to share what Paul calls “the same mind.” Not the same opinions, not the same personalities, but a common orientation — a willingness to listen, to learn, to serve one another. Despite our differences, there was a shared commitment to humility, to curiosity, and to letting go of the need to conform or to impose our understanding. That common mind did not erase diversity; it allowed us to tangibly experience the presence of the Spirit among us. I want to share with you a little poem that I composed by compiling perceptions that stood out to others as we visited a market in the city of Roxas. Diverse eyes, ears, and noses noticed different things, and we were asked to describe God by bringing some of these observations: God is not just something you feel When you are overwhelmed with awe As you contemplate the wonders of nature And all the great things that humans have done. God is also a woman holding three dead chicken, Something sweet and gelatinous, Unnicely odor from the drainage, Voice of the voiceless, Soft hand of a new friend.  Last Saturday, November 22, more than 30 members from across Canada participated in our first Communications Town Hall—including eight from the Chilliwack congregation. This was an opportunity to meet face to face with the members of the Communications Team and learn more about what we do and what our priorities are for 2026. We also had a chance to hear questions and insights from attendees across the country, helping us better understand how our team can support ministries and programs at the local level as we move onward together.
In this article, we share key takeaways from this event, including highlights from the presentation and answers to some of the questions we heard from attendees from across Canada. Who We Are The Communications Team is currently composed of Jeanny Jakobsen from Saskatoon, SK, serving as Operations Specialist; Quinlan Stevenson from Stratford, ON, serving as Communications Coordinator; and Leandro Palacios from Toronto, ON, serving as Director. We are hoping to add a Graphic Designer to the team (if you are interested, you can find more details here). What We Do
To do that, we aim to clearly express who we are, what we do, and what we believe. This is why we uphold visual standards and communicate our identity, mission, message, and beliefs as stated in Sharing in Community of Christ, while reflecting the Canadian cultural context. Our Priorities for 2026 Key priorities include:
Feedback and Questions from the Town Hall 1. How do we develop and maintain relationships with local members who can no longer attend in person? The local community is unique and we want to continue to support this type of gathering. However, connecting with those who cannot attend in person does not have to be centered around the Sunday service (by adding more cameras and microphones), but by trying something new. For example, the Scarborough congregation holds their regular in-person service some Sundays but gathers every Thursday for a fully online service. That allows people who can no longer attend in person to participate fully, and “quality” becomes less about production and more about community. Our team is hoping to create and nurture connections with people across Canada, no matter what congregation they come from. Onward Together does not only mean that two mission centres are becoming one. It also means that to fully take advantage of the opportunities ahead of us, we must let go of thinking that our church community is only the people who used to come in person to our building. Identity based on a building has not helped us invite people to church in the last few decades. Instead, we want to promote Canada-wide communities that share common passion and vocation. This question was related to how to run a successful hybrid service. While IT recommendations and support are not functions of the Communications Team, we remind everyone that a guideline for online and hybrid services is available on our website. 2. Can you blur faces in photos we share with the Communications Team? No. Before sharing photos with us, you need to ask permission from anyone whose face is clearly visible. 3. What are the minimum communications channels a congregation should manage? We heard questions like: Can someone help us update our website? Should we be on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X? How much time should we dedicate to these things? You don’t have to be on every social media platform and you don’t need to have your own website. But of course, you can. However, the more channels the more time it will take to manage them. Here's what we suggest: Appoint a Communications Officer if you haven’t yet. This way we can ensure that all the information about your events, ministries, and contact information are up to date on the website of Community of Christ in Canada. This is more important than managing your own website because communityofchrist.ca will normally rank higher on Google searches. If someone in the congregation uses Facebook regularly, they can dedicate one hour per week to manage your congregation’s Facebook page. If someone in the congregation uses Instagram regularly, they can dedicate one hour per week to share photos on a church account. Instagram posts can be automatically shared on Facebook. What about TikTok, X, YouTube? These platforms require more content creation. Content has to be about a topic, not about promotion or invitation to a church event, the algorithms don’t like promotional content unless you pay for it. Online channels are not the only way to promote your activities. For example, in Toronto, a small note in a free magazine brought hundreds of people to our in-person lectures. Think of what might work in your area, like a bulletin board at the library or community centre. 4. Are you creating media content that we can post on social media? We encourage you to share in your congregation’s social media channels all the content that we publish online as Community of Christ in Canada. But we do not create content tailored for your local events and ministries. We can work with your Communications Officer to build templates so that you can create quality graphics and video that will look professional and follow current social media trends. 5. Are we developing guidelines for congregations to effectively and safely promote their work on social media? We are. Once those become available early next year, we will publish them on the website and announce them in our newsletters and social media. I want to thank all those who participated in the first of many Communications Town Halls. I am looking forward to seeing you at our next session (the date will be published shortly). In the meantime, should you have any questions, concerns, or feedback, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Leandro Palacios Director of Communications – Community of Christ in Canada [email protected]  By Leandro Palacios, Director of Communications How do we keep members connected across great distances? To what extent should we embrace new technologies and trends in our efforts to spread the Gospel? How far should we go in adapting our places of worship to new tools? Although we might think these questions belong to the modern age, they have a long history in Community of Christ. A century ago, as the church was re-establishing its presence in Independence, Missouri, while maintaining strong roots in Lamoni, Iowa, President Fred M. Smith saw the need to reach out to members scattered across the world. Travelling often between the two cities, he envisioned a new way to connect them: through the airwaves. Radio was still new and exciting, and very few Christian denominations had dared to use it. That didn’t stop our church leaders from setting up a radio station, authorized by the U.S. government under the call sign KFIX (later KLDS). This made the RLDS church one of the first denominations in the United States to own a licensed station. The first broadcast took place in January 1925 from Lamoni and reached members in several nearby states. Later, a radio antenna was installed on the tower of the Stone Church in Independence, and the broadcasts began reaching listeners as far as Canada and beyond. A hundred years later, these same questions still echo — perhaps louder than ever. Many members today wonder how we can stay connected across great distances while still honouring regional traditions as we move onward together as one mission centre. The internet and social media give us powerful ways to reach each other, but they also bring new challenges. Is TikTok an appropriate way to share the Gospel? How do we communicate effectively on Facebook? How do we keep our online spaces safe and inclusive? The choices we make today are as significant as those made by our pioneers who once raised an antenna over one of our most sacred spaces. And because what we do today is history, we are called to tell the story — so that 100 years from now, someone else might be inspired to boldly try something new, something we cannot yet imagine! Where to start? We will consider how to tell the story at our first Communications Town Hall. Everything we do when we gather can become part of our shared story of community and discipleship if we remember that these moments belong to a greater story that reaches all the way back to the first disciples. Storytelling can transform the way we live and share our mission. Join us as we learn how to tell the story of Community of Christ in Canada—together! Communications Town Hall 📅 Saturday, November 22 ⌚ 10 am PT / 11 am MT / 12 pm CT / 1 pm ET 🖥️ On Zoom – open to members and seekers Meeting ID: 878 5553 5695 Passcode: 081015  We’re launching a new quarterly Communications Townhall to connect with congregations, members, and seekers across Canada and strengthen how we share our stories and celebrate missional success. This will be a space for conversation, learning, and collaboration. Our first meeting will be November 22. Come meet Communications Officers and other dedicated individuals guiding communications efforts at the local level. Get to know the people serving in our national Communications Team. Help us ask the right questions and find the right answers—together. All are welcome—young and old, tech-savvy and tech-beginner, members and seekers alike. Together, we’ll talk about how communications can help you achieve your goals, and we’ll take note of any local concerns or challenges you are aware of. Our first Townhall will focus on “Telling the Story.” Too often, our event announcements stop at dates and locations. But how do we make our invitations more engaging? How do we tell stories that make others want to join us? How can we share our stories so that our mission is remembered and celebrated? We’ll explore questions like:
We’ll also look at simple ways to:
Each gathering can become part of our shared story of community and discipleship. Storytelling can transform the way we live and share our mission. Join us as we learn how to tell the story of Community of Christ in Canada—together. 📅 Saturday, November 22 ⌚ 10 am PT / 11 am MT / 12 pm CT / 1 pm ET 🖥️ On Zoom – open to members and seekers Meeting ID: 878 5553 5695
Passcode: 081015  By John Hamer, Canada East Mission Centre Historian A tour bus loaded with 30 church heritage enthusiasts spent Thanksgiving weekend in Toronto as part of the 2025 Drawn from the Nations of the World Community of Christ Historic Sites Foundation (CCHSF) tour. Canada was the first country where the church was established after its 1830 organization in the United States, and a congregation was first organized in Toronto in 1836. Apostle Heber C. Kimball predicted by revelation that fellow Apostle Parley P. Pratt would “go to Upper Canada, even to the city of Toronto, the capital,” where he would “find a people prepared for the gospel.” During a missionary trip to the city, Pratt and five companions met John and Leonora Taylor, who were part of a small group of religious seekers dissenting from the Methodist church. After a good deal of preaching and discussions, the Taylors and many members of their group were baptized into our church, forming the nucleus of the original Toronto Congregation. The Taylors lived on Duchess Street (now renamed Richmond Street), just two blocks west of the present-day Centre Place church. The CCHSF tour group also visited the sites of St. Andrew’s Market, where the Toronto Congregation rented a meeting space in the 1890s, and the sites of the former Camden Street Church (1900–1906) and the former Soho Street Church (1906–1926). At the turn of the 20th century, Toronto was home to R.C. Evans, perhaps the greatest orator in the history of our church. Beginning in 1905, the congregation leveraged Evans’ talents by renting out the largest theatres in the city, filling them to capacity — including Massey Hall, one of the sites visited by the tour. The tour also visited Nathan Phillips Square, Sankofa (formerly Dundas) Square, the historic Distillery District, Polson Pier, and went on a walking tour of historic sites in Toronto’s Old Town neighbourhood (where Centre Place is located). The visit to Centre Place included viewing historic books, photographs, documents, and artifacts preserved in the Doris Hillyard Library, including the Dale & Judy Luffman first edition Inspired Version of the Bible (1867) and the Clair Shepherdson Saints’ Harp hymnal (1871). On Sunday morning, the tour took part in a special hybrid Beyond the Walls service, getting to see firsthand everything that goes into producing the livestream. In addition to stops at Toronto and Niagara Falls, the tour visited heritage sites in Independence, Missouri; Omaha, Nebraska; Lamoni, Iowa; Nauvoo and Plano, Illinois; and Kirtland, Ohio. CCHSF is a church affiliate charged with supporting historic sites including Heritage Plaza in Independence, Liberty Hall in Lamoni, and the Stone Church in Plano. In addition to raising funds and supporting historic tours, the foundation has created a wealth of resources including the Children in Church History lesson plan series. You can learn more and access these resources on their website. References [1] Terryl L. Givens and Matthew J. Grow, Parley P. Pratt: The Apostle Paul of Mormonism (Oxford: 2011), 83.  Explore new perspectives in ministry and mission this fall with the Centre for Innovation in Ministry and Mission (CIMM)! In partnership with Community of Christ and Graceland University, CIMM offers four upcoming courses—Introduction to Scripture, Ministry of the Deacon, Children and Youth Worker Core Training, and Peace and Justice—designed to help you grow in knowledge, faith, and ministry. Classes begin October 20, with online study options that fit your schedule.
These eight-week classes are open to everyone and provide a flexible, accessible way to deepen your understanding of ministry and mission. Participants engage with weekly readings, discussion forums, and facilitator feedback at their own pace. Weekly assignments are due by Sunday at 2 p.m. CT. Certification is awarded upon completion of three classes. Late Fall Session: October 20 – December 14, 2025
 Most people who first encounter Community of Christ these days don’t do it by walking into a church building, but by finding one of our online ministries. Programs like Beyond the Walls, Latter Day Seekers, Project Zion (now called Faith Unfiltered), or the Centre Place Lecture Series, among others, are constantly reaching new audiences, prompting many folks to find out more about our church. We informally use the term “seekers” to refer to them.
Seekers represent a wide spectrum of age, gender, and ethnic diversities, and they come from places around the world, including Canada. Some are seeking purpose and healing. Some are seeking refuge after experiencing rejection in other religious groups. Some have existential questions. Some are interested in activism for a good cause. And some are simply looking for a faith community. What can your congregation or group offer to them? It is crucial for our church to ensure seekers can easily find a ministry that speaks to their current needs. When they are ready to look up a local ministry on Google, the first result they will get is our institutional website www.communityofchrist.ca. Each one of our Canadian congregations has a page on this website, where we hope seekers will learn about what is happening in their area. Even if you have a website or Facebook page, if your congregation’s listing at communityofchrist.ca is out of date or incomplete, seekers are unlikely to look further. Being welcoming starts with telling seekers what to expect, and your congregational page on our Canadian website is the best place to do this! What can your congregation do? We strongly suggest you appoint a Communications Officer. What does this role entail? Simply keep the Communications Team up to date about what is happening in your congregation. You don’t need to be tech-savvy. We just need to ensure that seekers looking at your page on our website will find information that encourages them to contact you or join one of your events. Think of the questions you might consider if you were looking for a church community:
Will there be opportunities for development? Absolutely. We are creating resources and planning workshops to develop Communications Officers because we believe this role is essential to our mission in the 21st century. Many of our congregations have programs that offer opportunities to experience congregational life in mission by promoting peace and justice or helping alleviate poverty. In this way, we are embodying three of our mission initiatives. But almost without exception, we struggle to embody the other two mission initiatives: invite people to Christ and develop disciples to serve. We can address this problem by developing individuals of all ages to learn tips and skills to invite new people to engage in mission and build community at the local level. Where to start? Simply send us an email to [email protected]. Let us know if your congregation already has a Communications Officer or if you or someone you know might be ready to respond to this call. We are looking forward to hearing from you, Leandro Palacios Director of Communications Community of Christ in Canada  By Troy Roach, Creating Connection Director, Canada East
I know AI can feel like this big, overwhelming thing that’s changing the world overnight. And let’s be honest—just bringing it up can feel controversial. Some view AI as a valuable tool, while others worry about its ethical and spiritual implications or question how it aligns with faith, ethics, and human connection. These concerns are real and deserve thoughtful discussion, especially when it comes to maintaining the personal touch that’s so important in ministry. I get it. This blog post isn’t about pushing AI on anyone, but rather about naming the elephant in the room and offering some thoughts on how we can thoughtfully and ethically approach this shift. I also know many of us are stretched thin, juggling ministry, administration, and everything in between—so the idea of adding AI into the mix might feel more exhausting than exciting. But here’s the thing: AI is already here, and maybe these thoughts can help you navigate it in a way that actually supports your ministry rather than complicates it. Based on insights from the CharityVillage Connects podcast on AI and nonprofits—a trusted resource for nonprofit and faith-based leaders navigating technology shifts (listen here)—here are seven things I think every congregation should be aware of when it comes to AI: 1. AI Can Save Time and Boost Efficiency (And no, this doesn’t mean replacing the personal connections that make ministry meaningful!) Many pastors and leaders express how hard it is to keep up with everything—sermon prep, event planning, pastoral care, and the hundred other things that fall on your plate. AI-powered tools can actually help lighten that load. Think sermon transcription, automated prayer request management, and even help with social media content—so you and your team can focus on the real work of ministry. 2. AI Can Strengthen Congregant Engagement AI isn’t about replacing human connection; it’s about enhancing it. By taking on repetitive tasks, AI can actually free up more time for deeper one-on-one relationships, allowing leaders to focus on meaningful conversations, pastoral care, and community-building. Imagine chatbots that answer visitor questions about service times or AI-generated emails that personalize messages based on congregants’ interests. AI can help us reach people more effectively, freeing us up to deepen relationships in real, meaningful ways. 3. AI is Already Embedded in Everyday Tools Even if you’re not actively “using AI,” you probably are without realizing it. Platforms like Canva, Adobe, Google, and Microsoft already have AI-powered features built in. If you’re designing slides, scheduling emails, or even just typing in Gmail, you’re benefiting from AI. Email marketing platforms like Mailchimp also integrate AI to help automate newsletters, personalize outreach, and optimize content for better engagement. The key is learning how to use these tools more intentionally to serve your congregation. 4. AI Raises Ethical Concerns That Must Be Addressed I get it—AI can be messy. It’s trained on human data, which means it can reflect biases, spread misinformation, or mishandle sensitive topics. That’s why having clear ethical boundaries matters. If you’re using AI-generated content, review it carefully, ensure transparency, and keep people first. Our mission is about caring for others, and AI should align with that. 5. Data Privacy and Security Matter More Than Ever This one’s important. Congregations collect a lot of sensitive information—from prayer requests to donation records. AI tools process massive amounts of data, so it’s critical to be mindful of what information is being shared and to follow privacy policies. Not every AI tool is created with faith communities in mind, so let’s be smart about how we use them. 6. AI is a Co-Pilot, Not an Autopilot Here’s how we might want to think about AI--it’s a really smart assistant, but it still needs a human in the driver’s seat. Whether it’s helping generate sermon ideas, writing newsletter drafts, or automating workflows, it should never replace discernment, wisdom, or a personal touch. AI is a tool, but YOU are the leader. 7. Staying Informed About AI in Ministry Technology isn’t slowing down, and it's important to ensure our congregations are equipped with the knowledge and tools to navigate these changes confidently. The good news? You don’t have to dive in all at once—start small, experiment with AI in low-risk areas, and find ways that actually help your ministry thrive. Ethical, strategic AI use can help us better serve our communities without sacrificing our values. Final Thoughts AI isn’t the enemy—it’s a tool, just like any other. When we approach it wisely, ethically, and with intention, it can enhance ministry, improve efficiency, and foster deeper connections. The goal isn’t to push AI on anyone—it’s simply to help you feel informed and empowered to use it in a way that makes sense for your congregation. So, what’s your take? Have you seen AI used effectively in ministry? Are you concerned about its impact? Let’s keep this conversation going—I’d love to hear your thoughts!  By Mary Jean Belrose, Canada East Mission Centre Co-President
What is Dinner Church? "What if I told you that a new movement of God is afoot…a movement called Dinner Church at which people gather around a meal and have a conversation as they remember Jesus and celebrate their part in God’s family?" – Mike Graves The idea of Dinner Church is both simple and profound. While I haven’t personally experienced it yet, I can easily imagine its impact. Picture people of all ages and backgrounds gathered around a shared meal—building relationships, forming a caring community, and engaging in meaningful conversations about faith. I see lives being transformed and congregations infused with Spirit and life. In recent years, many of our congregations have dwindled in numbers, leaving a handful of dedicated leaders—often older—to carry the weight of weekly worship planning and execution. Let’s be honest: in many places, worship is the only remaining activity. Faithful planners, presiders, and speakers pour their energy into feeding those still in the pews, but few have the capacity left to reach into the community. We’ve become so accustomed to this pattern that it’s hard to imagine another way of doing or being church. But the truth is, this model isn’t attracting new people. If anything, it may be driving them away. My mind goes to our camp experiences. A one-hour worship service each week leaves little room to build deep connections. But a weekend or week at camp provides countless opportunities to form relationships—working together in the kitchen, setting up meeting spaces, laughing at the lake, gathering around a campfire, and sharing meals. In these moments of service, play, and reflection, Christ becomes real. Lives are changed because people experience faith in community. What if we could capture some of that same spirit through Dinner Church? By offering a free, humble meal alongside simple conversation or worship, we could create a space where people feel heard, valued, and connected. Scripture gives us countless examples of Jesus using meals as a form of ministry—feeding the five thousand, dining with outcasts, breaking bread at the Last Supper. Perhaps we are called to do the same. A Success Story: Dinner Church in Action A historic church in urban Seattle was facing an all-too-familiar challenge: despite a rich history and meaningful worship, attendance was in decline. It seemed inevitable that the congregation would have to close its doors. Today, that same 100-year-old congregation lives on through Community Dinners, a network of more than a dozen thriving Dinner Churches in the Seattle area. Their work has also inspired the Dinner Church Collective, which provides training and support for a growing movement of table-based congregations across North America. What changed? They reimagined church. They moved beyond the walls of traditional worship and embraced the radical hospitality of Jesus—meeting people at the table, listening to their stories, and breaking bread together. They are thriving, reaching new people, and inspiring others along the way. "And when God’s presence is thick in the room, when we bring out our authentic selves, when we’re there with the beloved community and we engage and create a welcoming space for the stranger, there’s something deeply, profoundly theological that happens. There’s something deeply transformational that happens." – Faithlead.org What It Takes to Start and Sustain a Dinner Church Gathering around a table with food is one of the most natural human experiences. Dinner Church doesn’t require a large budget or a complex structure—just a willingness to create a space for connection and conversation. Key Ingredients for Success: • A Welcoming Space – A church hall, home, or rented venue where people feel at ease. • A Shared Meal – A simple potluck, soup supper, or catered meal to bring people together. • Intentional Worship & Conversation – Scripture reflection, storytelling, guided discussion, or music. • A Committed Core Team – People dedicated to hospitality, food preparation, setup, and facilitation. The format is flexible—each Dinner Church can adapt to the unique needs of its community. Who Will Dinner Church Attract? Dinner Church has the potential to welcome people who may never step into a traditional Sunday service: • Spiritual Seekers looking for authentic faith experiences. • Busy Families & Young Adults seeking an informal, relational approach to church. • The Lonely & Disconnected who crave meaningful relationships and a sense of belonging. • People Facing Food Insecurity who need both physical and spiritual nourishment. • Existing Church Members eager for deeper fellowship and fresh expressions of discipleship. Is Dinner Church Right for Your Community? Exploring a new model of church takes courage. It requires stepping beyond what’s familiar and embracing a spirit of radical hospitality. But perhaps this is exactly what we need—to move beyond routine worship and create spaces where people can encounter Christ in one another. Jesus gathered people around tables. Maybe we should, too.  By Vonda DenBoer, Canada East Mission Centre Co-President
Lifelong learning has always been a passion of mine. It was essential during my healthcare career and remains vital in every aspect of life. What I learned about the solar system in grade school is so outdated now, I’d be embarrassed to rely on those “facts” from the 1960s! And my knowledge of computers from 1980? Laughable. This brings me to the opportunity we’ve been given to continue learning as it relates to our discipleship. In Doctrine and Covenants 85:36, we are encouraged to “seek diligently; teach one another; seek learning by study and faith.” I was privileged to attend Community of Christ Seminary, but I understand that not everyone can commit to that level of study. To make meaningful learning opportunities more accessible, the church now offers online mini-courses through the Center for Innovation in Ministry and Mission (CIMM). These sessions aren’t as rigorous as seminary but still provide incredible depth and learning with outstanding instructors. I invite you to explore one or two of these courses. All you need is a desire to learn and access to a computer to get started. Whether you’re studying the reunion text, exploring scripture, or enhancing your preaching or discipleship skills, these courses will bless you and those in your discipleship circle. I guarantee you’ll appreciate the depth and breadth of what’s offered. How can we truly become a people of the Temple if we do not strive for the inward and outward transformation of the disciple (Doctrine and Covenants 161:3d)? This transformation prepares us to be a people of faith, restoring relationships with God, others, ourselves, and the earth (Doctrine and Covenants 163:2b). Take the daring step to grow your discipleship. Below is the schedule for upcoming CIMM Mini Sessions: Preaching Series February 5 – Emerging Thoughts in Sharing the Message, Part 1 – Joey Williams February 12 – Emerging Thoughts in Sharing the Message, Part 2 – Joey Williams February 19 – Loss and Light – Barbara Walden February 26 – Finding Your Voice – David Lloyd Adult Reunion Text Series – Hope Is Here March 12 – Story of Hope – Stassi Cramm March 19 – Breathe in Hope – Katie Harmon-McLaughlin March 26 – Turn Toward Hope: Crossing Identity Boundaries – Zac Harmon-McLaughlin April 2 – Spirit of Hope: Conflict Transformation – Debbie Bayless April 9 – Onward in Hope: Celebrate Community – Janne Grover Preaching Series (continued) April 16 – Quick-egesis: A Quick Exegetical Process for Worship and Preaching, Part 1 – Tony & Charmaine Chvala-Smith April 23 – Quick-egesis: A Quick Exegetical Process for Worship and Preaching, Part 2 – Tony & Charmaine Chvala-Smith To register for these CIMM Mini Sessions, visit the CIMM Mini Sessions page |
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