Few things at World Conference comes close to the level of frustration the Mass meeting of the Elders causes me. That is what it is called, ‘mass meeting’ other priesthood officers or language groups have quorums or orders, the Elder’s have a ‘mass meeting’. That is exactly what it is. 400 hundred odd elders meeting in the temple most mornings of conference (the odd in this sentence is intentional, in many ways).
The quorums are the times when anyone gets the change to share on the legislation that will be before the body. Sometimes this sharing can highlight amendments that need to be made to legislation, it can provide insight into how this legislation will impact those in other nations and cultures, where we as a movement are being called forward, other times it can feel like the group is going in circle, or that everyone is already in the same place and people are just talking for the sake of it.
This has become the backdrop for a number of my powerful conference memories.
Day 1 I had the pleasure of sharing a seat with Steve Cramm. Having had the chance to get to know him a little during reunion this year, as I saw him lumbering into the gathering I invited him over asking if this was going to be an awkward hour for him. The topic on the floor, Stassi Cramm and her call to be the next profit president of Community of Christ. That mass meeting seemed to miss the memo. I would have thought the intent of anyone sharing would be to share their experiences with Stassi’s capabilities as an administrator, or prophetic intuition or spiritual depth, rather most stood to tell anecdotal stories, too many about Stassi’s eating habits.
Steve and I got a lot of side eyes as we giggled our way through that session. At one point, I observed Steve taking notes and looked over his shoulder to see what ‘the spy amongst us’ was reporting back. Dot points, outlining each food story.
Day 2 and the topic of the floor were all the other calls being considered. Those to first presidency, apostles and presiding evangelist. My understanding of the intent of these discussion was again for those who had experiences with those called to share how they had encountered the ministry and witness God in the lives of those we were considering, enabling those who might not have had their own experiences with them to ground their support for these calls in the testimonies of others. There were way too many calls being presented for the mass meetings feeble attention span, or their capacity to stay on task. Telling story after story, where ones path had tangentially crossed at some point or their childhood stories and family relations. At this stage I had reached ultimate frustration.
This when I can to two very powerful realisations.
Number 1: I personally knew many of those that were currently the leadership of the church. Some I had attended seminary with, one had even been my Dean, many I had experienced their visits and ministries at Reunions or discovers when they had come to Australia, other I would consider old friends. Some I had spent the week before at the international leaders meetings practicing my broken Spanish on or having deep conversations with. One was even rude enough to comment on how much greyer I was since the last time we had been together.
This conference felt like a significant and historic moment in the church. Not just because of Stassi being the first female prophet president of the church and what this says about truly living out the principles that all are called and the worth of all persons, but there has never been such a large leadership shake up in the history of the church. The last time 6 apostles were changed at the same time was back in 1873, let alone all the other leadership shifts.
I don’t remember Veazey’s move into prophet president. It was before my time of paying attention. Since then, I don’t really remember knowing people that were being called into leadership until after they became apostles to Australia and visiting here. There are two in 20 years that I knew of. I don’t know what has changed. If people of a similar age 20 years ago, in my position felt more aware of those in the international church or if this is just one of the blessings of becoming a smaller church. I do see this as a blessing. To not only know of, but have developed relationships and trust, to have heard their testimonies and experienced God moving in their life and ministry, with those that are calling us forward,
The second big realisation I had was, that I needed to contribute to the discussions. I couldn’t just sit back, judging and getting frustrated at the elders and the lack of a global perspective, if I wasn’t willing to stand up, speak and present one international voice. I set myself, not only the challenge, for each piece of legislation that came to discussion, to share my opinion and how such an issue affected those in Australia. But also using the relationships I have developed over the years and across the international leaders meeting to encourage and support others, representing some of the more isolated and marginalised countries to also share their perspectives. Collectively recognising that for future conferences it would be worthwhile for internationals to prepare statements on all legislation, to take away some of the apprehension around publicly sharing. To ensure that we go into the future as a truly internation movement of prophetic people, we must all work together to where we are being called forward.
Kass Unger