On Sunday, members of the Community of Christ in the United States voted to extend the sacrament of marriage to those in same-sex relationships and to affirm priesthood callings to all people, including those in committed same-sex relationships. According to previous policy, these actions were not allowed.
The Community of Christ is a Christian church that has around 250,000 members in over fifty nations worldwide. Previously known as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, it has historical ties to Mormonism. The church was renamed in 2000 for increased distinction from the Mormon church and to better describe its mission and message.
From April 19 to 21, around 1,500 delegates from all over the United States gathered at the Community of Christ headquarters in Independence, Mo. for the U.S. National Conference.
The conference was called for three years ago at the Community of Christ’s 2010 World Conference. Because homosexuality is dangerous to discuss in many areas of the world, the church leadership expressed the need to convene national conferences to address these issues rather than endangering some delegates in attendance at the World Conference. Thus far, conferences have been held in Canada, Australia and the United States.
The U.S. National Conference was held immediately after the 2013 World Conference. The church utilized a “common consent” process for the National Conference that was noticeably different from the parliamentary process of the World Conference.
Five questions were presented to the delegates over the course of the conference. Delegates who wanted to speak then had the opportunity to place their name in five bowls that were labeled with a spectrum of answers to that question. Names were drawn randomly from each bowl, and the selected delegates spoke to their particular viewpoint. Speakers were given two minutes, a length of time that was decided by the delegates at the beginning of the conference.
“I thought it was very refreshing coming from such formal proceedings,” said Rachel Gray, a delegate from Sioux City, Ia.
“It definitely impacted my experience because I was able to do my best to empathize with those who were sharing, either for or against the policy in question,” said Ryan Pitt, a delegate from Washington, D.C. “It added different complexities to my personal experience that I did not foresee by any means.”
Following the fifty minutes allotted to these listening sessions, delegates were asked to select which answer best described their position or opinion. This poll was taken through an electronic system to keep delegates’ votes anonymous. The results were then shown instantly to the conference.
“With the common consent process, even if I didn’t want to get up and speak publicly, I could still make my voice heard without having to be outgoing and speak to the crowd,” said Gray.
On the final day of the conference, delegates were limited to “yes” or “no” answers to the main proposals in question. A 67-percent majority was needed for each proposal to formally recommend policy changes to the church leadership.
On the topic of marriage, 74 percent voted in favor of extending the sacrament of marriage to those in same-sex relationships where it is legal in the United States. Covenant commitment services for places where same-sex marriage is not legal were approved by 79 percent of the voting delegates. Last, 81 percent of the delegates voted in favor of allowing priesthood calls to be processed regardless of sexual orientation. These changes were all recommended to the Community of Christ leadership who will draft formal policy changes sometime this year.
“I breathed a huge sigh of relief because this is something that has been pressing the church for a long time,” said Pitt.
“I felt like we came to a more consensual agreement,” said Gray. “People didn’t feel like we just voted yes or no. People knew how everyone was feeling the whole way through so the vote wasn’t as much of a surprise at the end. “
As reflected in the voting results, some delegates did not agree with the policy changes.
“I know there were people who were upset with it, but I think the church handled it very well while praying for those that were both rejoicing and struggling with the outcome,” said Gray. “I think they did a good job of showing that you can still come to this church even if you don’t agree with that aspect and that we have open arms for everyone.”
For the most part, delegates were satisfied with the outcome and optimistic about the future of the church.
“I feel as though we as a church can finally practice what we preach about peace and justice and loving all people without boundaries,” said Christy Pratt, a Community of Christ Campus Ministries intern. “The future will be rocky, but I can’t help but be consumed with excitement for how we will choose to embrace the new path we have been called to journey on.”
Reporting 2013 
This is an excellent summary of the National Conference. My added comment is:
I had put my name in to speak to the proposal of ordination for homosexuals, but did not get chosen to speak. The speech I wanted to give was as follows:
Though sexuality is an important part of a person’s personality, it is only a part, and not even the most important part, especially with regard to being an ordained minister. If I am to receive ministry, or to see it given by someone else, the most important factors are for the minister to be loving, with caring compassion, and competence in his or her ministerial calling. I don’t care whether or not the minister has a “significant other,” loving someone is of the same sex or the opposite sex–the only important things are a minister exhibiting love, caring, compassion, and competence in his or her calling.
Great summary of this historic event! Thank you Emma!
Succinctly and compassionately stated. Thank you.
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