Community of Christ facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Community of Christ |
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| Abbreviation | CoC |
| Classification | Restorationist |
| Orientation | Latter Day Saint movement |
| Scripture |
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| Theology | |
| Polity | Hierarchical |
| President | Stephen M. Veazey |
| Associations | National Council of Churches |
| Headquarters | Independence, Missouri, United States |
| Founder | Joseph Smith III |
| Origin |
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| Separations | Josephite denominations (such as Restoration Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Restoration branches and Church of Jesus Christ (Zion's Branch)) |
| Congregations | 1,100 |
| Members | 250,000 |
| Other name(s) | Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (legal name) |
The Community of Christ is a worldwide church with its main office in the United States. From 1872 to 2001, it was known as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS). It is the second-largest church in the Latter Day Saint movement.
The church has about 250,000 members in 1,100 groups across 59 countries. Its story began on April 6, 1830, when Joseph Smith started the Church of Christ. His oldest son, Joseph Smith III, became the church's leader on April 6, 1860, after his father's death in 1844.
The Community of Christ shares some beliefs and practices with other Christian churches. However, it also has unique ideas from the Restorationist movement. These include having ongoing leaders called prophets, a special group of ministers called a priesthood, and using the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants as holy books. They also believe in building Zion and temples.
The church is different from the larger Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) in many ways. For example, it believes in the traditional Trinity (God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). It also focuses on salvation by grace alone, meaning God's love saves people, not just their actions. The church welcomes people with many different beliefs. It teaches that "all are called" and are "persons of worth" who should "share the peace of Christ."
The Community of Christ holds its worship services based on scripture readings from the Revised Common Lectionary. From its main office in Independence, Missouri, the church focuses on sharing its message, working for peace and fairness, helping people grow spiritually, and supporting youth.
Contents
- History of the Community of Christ
- Important Church Locations
- Teachings and Practices
- Church Organization and Structure
- Criticisms
- Images for kids
- See also
History of the Community of Christ
The Community of Christ believes it is the original church started by Joseph Smith in 1830. They see Joseph Smith III, Joseph Smith's oldest son, as his rightful leader. The church was officially formed on April 6, 1830, in Fayette, New York. It was formally reorganized on April 6, 1860, in Amboy, Illinois. The name "Reorganized" was added in 1872.
The church was founded on the idea that leadership should pass down through Joseph Smith's family. It offered a different path from other groups like the LDS Church led by Brigham Young. The Community of Christ has always been against plural marriage (polygamy).
The church sees the years 1830 to 1844 as its early history. The time from 1844 (when Joseph Smith died) to 1860 was a period of disorganization. Since 1844, the Community of Christ's beliefs have developed differently from other Latter Day Saint groups.
Changes in Beliefs and Practices
In the 1900s, the church, then called the Reorganized Church, began to change its ideas. It started to align more with mainstream Protestant Christian thought. Since the 1960s, as the church grew outside North America, it began to rethink its old ways and beliefs.
In 1984, a special message from leader Wallace B. Smith said that the Independence Temple should be built. It also said that women could become priests in the church. After Smith retired, W. Grant McMurray became the new leader. Some members were concerned because he was the first leader not directly related to Joseph Smith.
These changes caused some members to leave and form new churches. For example, about 25,000 members left to join groups like the Remnant Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. However, the church grew in other countries, especially in developing nations and Australia. Recently, many former members of the LDS Church have joined the Community of Christ.
In 1996, the church leaders adopted new goals. They said, "We share Jesus Christ's message and build communities of joy, hope, love, and peace." Their vision is to "become a worldwide church focused on peace, bringing people together, and healing spirits."
Important Church Locations
The church's main office is the Independence Temple in Independence, Missouri. The church also owns and manages other historic sites in Lamoni, Iowa, and Plano, Illinois. The Auditorium in Independence used to have the Children's Peace Pavilion. Now, the Peace Pavilion is in its own building near the Temple. The Auditorium is where the church holds its main meeting, the World Conference, every three years.
The church also supports Graceland University. It has a campus in Lamoni and another in Independence, where the nursing school and the Community of Christ Seminary are located.
For over 100 years, the church owned the Kirtland Temple. However, the LDS Church bought the Kirtland Temple and other historic sites in Nauvoo, Illinois, on March 5, 2024. These sites included the Red Brick Store and the Smith family homes.
Teachings and Practices
The Community of Christ believes that understanding truth can change based on a person's experiences. Because of this, the church does not have a strict official set of beliefs that everyone must follow. Instead, it shares "generally accepted beliefs." As the church's leader, Stephen M. Veazey, says, "Community of Christ is a church that offers guidance while also allowing for each person's own faith journey."
The Community of Christ is seen as a modern Christian church that also has roots in Mormonism. It is like other mainstream Protestant churches in many ways.
The Community of Christ generally believes in the doctrine of the Trinity and other common Christian beliefs. The idea of Zion is very important. It means living a Christian life now and hoping for a future community. This idea is linked to the church's focus on peace and fairness. The church also believes in ongoing prophetic leadership, the Book of Mormon, and an open set of holy writings in its Doctrine and Covenants, which is updated regularly.
God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit
The Community of Christ teaches that "the one eternal living God is triune." This means God is a community of three persons: God the Creator, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. God is seen as the source of love, life, and truth, and is the only one worthy of worship.
Jesus Christ is described as both the Savior and a living example of God. He lived, died, and was resurrected. Jesus Christ is central to the church's study and worship. The church's Theology Task Force says that "Jesus Christ is God's Word made human, both fully human and fully divine." The Holy Spirit is described as "God's ongoing presence in the world" and the source of divine inspiration.
Focus on Peace
The Independence and Kirtland Temples are places for learning and worship for everyone. The Independence Temple is "dedicated to the pursuit of peace." Every day at 1 p.m., a Daily Prayer for Peace is held in the Temple's main room. The church's focus on peace was influenced by groups like the Mennonite Central Committee.
Since 1993, the Community of Christ International Peace Award has been given out each year. The idea of "peace, bringing people together, and healing spirits" is a key part of the Community of Christ's message. The church teaches that because of their faith in Christ and belief in the worth of all people, they work for peace and fairness for everyone. The church has a Peace and Justice Ministries Office that provides resources and education. The Peace Colloquy is a big conference on peace held every year. The church also supports the Young Peacemakers Club to teach children about peace.
"Worth of All Persons"
The Community of Christ teaches that "God loves each of us equally and without conditions." They believe that all people are valuable and should be respected. Loving and accepting others is important for following Christ's message.
The church understands that holy writings have sometimes been used to harm or exclude groups of people. In 2007, the church added a statement to its Doctrine and Covenants: "It is not pleasing to God when any part of scripture is used to hurt people based on their race, gender, or social group. Many harmful acts have been done against God's beloved children by misusing scripture. The church is called to admit and change such attitudes and actions."
Revelation and Prophetic Leadership
The belief that God continues to reveal messages is a special part of the church. The Community of Christ says that "God continues to reveal today as in the past." God's messages come through holy writings, the church community, prayer, nature, and human history.
The president of the Community of Christ is sometimes called the Prophet or Prophet-President. The president acts as a prophet when sharing special inspired advice or documents with the church. These are usually short messages that offer encouragement and direction.
When an inspired document is presented to the World Conference, it goes through a careful review process. Different church groups discuss and vote on it. If the delegates approve the document, it can be added as a new section to the Doctrine and Covenants, which the church considers holy scripture.
Concept of Zion
The idea of Zion in the Community of Christ is linked to the "kingdom of God." It is based on Jesus' teachings about the kingdom in the Bible. At first, Zion was seen as a city, sometimes called the New Jerusalem. Before 1920, many members thought Independence, Missouri, was Zion.
Now, Zion is understood more as a way of living or a state of being, rather than a specific place. The church officially states that the "cause of Zion" means working to build God's kingdom through Christ-centered communities in families, churches, neighborhoods, and around the world.
"All are Called"
The Community of Christ often says that "all are called according to the gifts of God unto them." This means that everyone, including men, women, youth, and children, has gifts and talents to help others and take part in Christ's mission. Some are called to be ordained ministers (priesthood) in the church. The church allows both men and women to serve in these roles.
Priesthood
About one in ten church members serve in a priesthood role. Most of these ministers are unpaid volunteers. The church also has a small group of paid ministers who work as administrators or missionaries. Priesthood members teach and preach the good news of Jesus Christ. At the local church level, priesthood members lead, and all members, both priesthood and regular members, help with the ministry. In most churches, pastors and other leaders are volunteers. Women have been able to hold priesthood roles since 1984.
Salvation
The Community of Christ's Theology Task Force offers ideas about salvation and eternal life for members to consider. However, the church does not require strict agreement on these beliefs. The task force suggests that salvation and eternal life are gifts. Through baptism and living as followers of Christ, people can become new.
Stewardship
"The Disciples' Generous Response" is the name given to a new way the Community of Christ thinks about giving. Before 2002, members were taught to give a certain amount, called "increase," to the church.
Now, the "Disciple's Generous Response" focuses on the idea of God's great generosity. It encourages members to be generous in all parts of their lives. Giving is not just limited to the church. Members can also give to other charitable groups, which is called "community tithes." While most giving is now seen as tithing, the usual idea is that most of one's giving should go to the local and world church, and a smaller part to other organizations like Outreach International or Graceland University. The church believes this will encourage more giving overall.
This new way of thinking about giving is mentioned in the Doctrine and Covenants (Section 162:7c) as "the principle of generosity, rightly interpreted for a new time." The six principles of the Disciples' Generous Response ask Christians to practice generosity, respond to God's blessings, give money based on their situation, share through mission tithes and community tithes, save wisely, and spend responsibly. The Presiding Bishopric is in charge of explaining and teaching this idea.
Sacraments
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Members believe that sacraments (or ordinances) show God's presence in the church and in people's lives. Sacraments are seen as symbolic actions that help create and renew a person's spiritual connection with God. They are viewed as promises made with God in response to God's grace.
The Community of Christ practices eight sacraments: baptism, confirmation, blessing of children, The Lord's Supper, marriage, ministration to the sick, ordination, and Evangelist's Blessing. The Laying on of hands is used in confirmation, ordination, blessing of children, ministration to the sick, and Evangelist's blessing.
Scripture
The Community of Christ sees Jesus Christ as the living Word of God. It accepts the Bible (including the Inspired Version of the Holy Scriptures), the Book of Mormon, and the Doctrine and Covenants as holy writings for the church. The church believes that holy writings should be "understood carefully and applied faithfully." Readings for worship usually follow the Revised Common Lectionary.
The church sees the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants as "additional witnesses of Christ's ministry and God's love." The Community of Christ understands holy writings as an inspired record of God's work with people. While they are seen as God's revelation, members do not usually believe that holy writings are the exact "words of God."
In 2007, church president Stephen M. Veazey shared advice, now in Section 163 of the Doctrine and Covenants. It says that holy writings are an important guide to God's truth, but they should not be worshipped. Only God is worthy of worship. God's nature, shown through Jesus Christ, helps us understand and use holy writings.
The Community of Christ's Theology Task Force has nine statements about holy writings. They say: "Scripture provides divine guidance and inspired insight for life when understood responsibly and applied faithfully. Scripture helps us believe in Jesus Christ. It guides us to eternal life and helps us grow spiritually, change our lives, and take part in the church's life and ministry."
The Bible
Like other Christians, the Community of Christ believes the Bible is holy scripture. Members read the Hebrew Old Testament and the Christian New Testament in church and in their own studies. The church encourages prayerful thought about the Bible's meaning.
A famous Bible verse, James 1:5–6, says: "If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and without finding fault, and it will be given you. But ask in faith, never doubting." This verse was important to Joseph Smith when he was a boy trying to decide which church to join. His experience after reading this verse led to the start of the Church of Christ.
The Community of Christ does not require a single Bible translation. Although Joseph Smith started to revise the King James Version, today's church often uses newer translations. After Smith's death, his family kept his translation work. The Community of Christ later published it as the Inspired Version of the Bible. However, most official church publications use newer versions like the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV). The Community of Christ does not believe holy writings, including the Bible, are perfect. Members are encouraged to understand the historical and literary background of Bible passages and do not have to take all language literally.
The Book of Mormon
The Community of Christ sees the Book of Mormon as another witness of Jesus Christ. Its publishing house, Herald House, prints two versions of the book. The Authorized Edition is based on the original manuscript and the 1837 Second Edition. Its content is similar to the Book of Mormon used by the LDS Church, but the verse numbering is different. The Community of Christ also publishes a 1966 "Revised Authorized Edition" that updates some of the language.
In 2001, church president W. Grant McMurray noted that there were growing questions about the Book of Mormon. He said that the church's leaders were discussing how to use it as holy scripture. He also mentioned questions about its history and some of its ideas, including those about race.
At the 2007 World Conference, church president Stephen M. Veazey did not allow a proposal to "reaffirm the Book of Mormon as a divinely inspired record." He explained that while the church accepts the Book of Mormon as scripture, it does not force members to believe in it in a certain way. Belief in the Book of Mormon is not a requirement for being a member.
The Community of Christ's official statement about the Book of Mormon says: "Like other Christians, we believe the Bible is the main holy writing for the church. The Community of Christ also uses the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants as scripture. We do not use these holy writings to replace the Bible's message, but because they confirm that Jesus Christ is the Living Word of God. We have heard Christ speak in all three books of scripture, and we believe he is 'alive forever and ever'."
The Book of Doctrine and Covenants
The Community of Christ's Doctrine and Covenants is a growing book of holy writings. It contains inspired documents given through the prophet-presidents of the Community of Christ. It includes inspiring Christian messages, such as this one from former President W. Grant McMurray: "Open your hearts and feel the deep desires of your brothers and sisters who are lonely, looked down upon, afraid, ignored, or unloved. Reach out with understanding, hold their hands, and invite everyone to share in the blessings of community created in the name of the One who suffered for all." (Doctrine and Covenants 161:3a)
Church president Stephen Veazey shared advice that was accepted as scripture on March 30, 2007. This document, now Section 163 of the Doctrine and Covenants, encourages church members to work for peace. It specifically tells them to "pursue peace" and "try to be faithful to Christ’s vision of the peaceful Kingdom of God on earth."
On January 17, 2010, Veazey shared his second revelation, which became Section 164 in April 2010. This document allows the church to accept new members who were already baptized in other churches through the sacrament of confirmation, without needing to be re-baptized. It also encourages all members to think about the meaning of their own baptisms. The document also clarifies open communion and calls the church to address global ethical issues. Finally, it allowed church leaders to adjust the number of missionary groups as needed.
Using the Lectionary
The Community of Christ uses a three-year cycle of scripture readings, similar to the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) used by other Christian churches. The Bible readings follow the RCL. The church has also added readings from the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants. However, to allow more flexibility, these readings are now chosen by the authors of the "Worship Helps" each year and are linked to the Sunday's theme. These "Worship Helps" are published by Herald House and on the church's website. They include sample worship plans and suggested hymns from the church's hymnal, Community of Christ Sings.
Working with Other Churches
The Community of Christ has worked to connect with other Christian churches. The church often points out that it has never allowed polygamy. It has always ordained people of any race. It does not require a strict set of beliefs, only that people believe in Christ for baptism. It accepts the idea of the Trinity. It has talked with the National Council of Churches (NCC), the World Council of Churches (WCC), and Christian Churches Together. Since 1994, it has practiced open communion, meaning anyone can take part in the Lord's Supper. On November 10, 2010, the Community of Christ was approved to join the National Council of Churches, becoming its 37th member.
In 2002, the church formed a committee to explore joining the WCC. In 2004, the committee reported that while there was interest, there were concerns about new membership rules based on theology and the Community of Christ's use of holy writings beyond the Bible. The discussions are continuing.
Women's Participation
Women were allowed to serve in the church's priesthood starting in 1984. In 1998, Gail E. Mengel and Linda L. Booth became the first two women apostles in the church. At the 2007 World Conference, Becky L. Savage became the first woman to serve in the First Presidency. In 2013, Linda L. Booth became the first woman chosen to lead the Council of Twelve. In 2016, Stassi D. Cramm became the first woman presiding bishop of the church, and Jane M. Gardner became the church's first female presiding evangelist.
Inclusion of All People
The church welcomes people of all backgrounds and identities.
In 2012, church conferences in Canada and Australia suggested changes to church rules. They recommended allowing people in same-sex relationships to be ordained and, in Canada, to offer marriage ceremonies for same-sex couples. Official rules for these countries were later updated to follow these suggestions.
The Community of Christ's 2013 USA National Conference also recommended similar changes. These included offering marriage ceremonies for same-sex couples in states where it is legal, and offering commitment ceremonies where it is not. They also suggested that all church members, regardless of their sexual orientation or relationship status, should be eligible for priesthood roles. As a result, in March 2014, church leaders in the United States updated their rules to include these recommendations.
A special conference in Ireland and Great Britain in 2013 also suggested similar changes. In 2017, the First Presidency approved a request from Australia to allow same-sex marriages.
Church Organization and Structure
The Community of Christ is led by a First Presidency, which includes a president and two advisors. The president is seen as a prophet. The church's work is guided by a Council of Twelve Apostles. The church's money matters are handled by the Presiding Bishopric. These three groups together form the World Church Leadership Council.
Other important leaders include the Presiding Evangelist, the Senior President of the Presidents of Seventy, and the President of the High Priests Quorum. Every three years, leaders and representatives from around the world meet at the World Conference to vote on church business.
The Community of Christ has about 250,000 members in 1,100 groups across 59 countries. In 2016, about 117,000 members were in the United States. More than half of the active members speak a language other than English. The church translates its materials into many languages, including French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Swahili.
For organizing the church, the world is divided into "fields." Each field is led by a member of the Council of Twelve Apostles. Fields are then divided into "Mission Centers," which are led by a president. Mission centers are made up of local churches, which are led by a pastor or co-pastors.
The church has fields in Africa, Asia, Canada, Australia, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America, Europe, the Pacific, and different regions of the United States.
Criticisms
Some experts who study the Latter Day Saint movement have described the Community of Christ as "adrift." They mean it might not be distinct enough from other Christian churches, but also not fully like other Latter Day Saint groups. The church has worked to explain its past in a more practical way. For example, it views the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith as inspired but not perfect. Some historians say this has led the church to move away from its past and focus more on community and shared mission.
Images for kids
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Church seal (including a child with the lamb and lion) on a set of doors to the Independence Temple
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Joseph Smith III, later in life, the eldest surviving son of Joseph Smith, founder of the Latter Day Saint movement. Taking up the mantle of his father's prophetic role, Joseph Smith III became the second Prophet-President of what became known as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, now called Community of Christ.
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Book of Mormon 1830 reprint (facsimile of first copy of the Book of Mormon) by Herald Heritage. Reprinted in 1970, Independence, Missouri.
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Communion for a Community of Christ meeting in Provo, Utah
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The Community of Christ Stone Church in Independence, Missouri, formerly the church headquarters
See also
- Plano Stone Church
- Comparison of the Community of Christ and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- List of churches in the Latter Day Saint Reorganization movement
