Let's Explore Together!

6/3/2018

Through my profession, I have come across hundreds of youth and adults who have had significant challenges in their upbringings, impacting them and their belief in their inestimable worth as a person. Spirituality in particular is one facet that always tends to be an interesting subject. The stories shared are of disbelief in a God that would allow such horrible things to happen or rejection from a church community that required change in the person instead of welcoming who they are.

This blog is not here to change those experiences but offer an open environment, lifting up your value as a person, while digging through the deeper questions in your faith journey. If you have had similar experiences, struggled with believing you are good enough, or just do not know what the next step is for you on your journey, I invite you to come along as we explore our spiritual lives and where they are taking us.

This blog started because of our current emerging ministry in Emporia, Kansas but participation is open to anyone, anywhere seeking a supportive place to find themselves and their worth along their spiritual path. Please follow along and comment about our posts or any particular subject matter you want covered that relates to your current faith journey. My hope is this will be a safe and supportive place where you can explore your spiritual life without rejection, judgement, guilt, or shame. Now let's get started!

2 Comments

Author

Craig Hidy like the majority of ministers in Community of Christ is a bi-vocational, self sustaining ordained minister. He is a member of the Midlands Mission Center Emporia Team and an ordained Seventy. He and his family, live in Topeka, Kansas.

The mission of the Seventy
“After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves.” Luke 10:1-3 NRSV

What is a Seventy?
The Seventy carry out missionary work for the church in close association with other missionary leaders. They represent Christ primarily as ministers of evangelism through witnessing, inviting, and church planting.

They especially proclaim and promote Jesus Christ’s invitation to faithful discipleship through vibrant witness, and train individuals and congregations in witness and invitation.

They particularly minister with seekers, individually and in groups, to share the gospel in relevant ways and to invite response.

Please Note

The views expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of Community of Christ. We believe individuals should be allowed to have their own opinions and be at different places in their faith journey.

Emporia Community of Christ

Emily

6/3/2018 08:08:35 pm

Our goal should always be to be like Jesus - to show and practice love, patience and acceptance in our daily lives. EVERYONE has a place at God's table. Come as you are!

Jim Fairchild

6/6/2018 06:53:12 am

“It is not pleasing to God when any passage of scripture is used to diminish or oppress races, genders, or classes of human beings. Much physical and emotional violence has been done to some of God’s beloved children through the misuse of scripture. The church is called to confess and repent of such attitudes and practices.” D&C 163:7c

We have also been instructed that, “You who are my disciples must be found continuing in the forefront of those organizations and movements which are recognizing the worth of persons and are committed to bringing the ministry of my Son to bear on their lives.” D&C 151:9

These are two of my favorite scriptures, and speak very clearly to me regarding the worth of all persons. Throughout the ages much harm has been, and continues to be done “to diminish or oppress races, genders, or classes of human beings” in the name of religion; yes and even in the name of Christ, by those who profess to be his disciples.

We need to leave judgment to God; and remember that if we love Christ, we are called to “Feed My Sheep” NRSV John 21:15-17

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