ILC

As I prepare this post, a group of International leaders are gathered together for important meetings. No, this is not the G20 or any such thing. This is a group of Community of Christ leaders from around the world who are meeting together in Independence, MO. (or in IndepMO as some younger folks have humorously dubbed that place.)

At this gathering are church leaders from around the world. Some will come from various nations in Africa. The church in India will no doubt be represented, as well as various countries in Europe, Australia, French Polynesia, and Fiji. Leaders will probably come from the Philippines, Korea, and perhaps Japan. The Mexican church will be there, along with representatives from the many countries of Central and South America. Some will attend for the first time. Canada is represented at the table by our beloved Bishop, Jim Poirier.

Undoubtedly there will also be some disappointments thanks to the difficulty in getting visas to enter United States from many countries these days. I would be very surprised if our Chinese friends were able to attend, along with representatives from several other countries.

It is really quite remarkable that a gathering like this is even possible. During my youth, Community of Christ was not represented in most of those places. In fact, it was not until the 1960s, less than 50 years ago, that the church under the leadership of President W. Wallace Smith began the rapid expansion we have seen in recent years.

The gathering of the ILC (International Leadership Council) is a relatively new thing. To be honest, I really have no idea what is on the agenda this time around. It could be big things or little things, I simply do not know. What I do know is that this gathering matters. From this group, remarkable contributions to the church have already emerged. For instance, the We Share booklet that has become so familiar to us over the past two years grew out of the work of this council as leaders met to discuss the resources that were needed in all the countries where the church exists. Leaders from around the world came, put their heads together, and blessed the church. Hallelujah!

So as you go about your day today, perhaps you might want to offer a short prayer of thanksgiving for this group, and the work they are doing. Because of them, thousands of lives are being blessed, both at home and abroad. I think of that gathering, and I am grateful. May the good Spirit richly bless their fellowship and their efforts, and may each of them have safe passage back home.

Posted by Carman