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The First Presidency shares early reflections on the 2026 Year in Review survey. Stassi Cramm, Bunda Chibwe, and Janné Grover talk about who responded, how people connect with the church, how leadership and direction were rated, and the questions that came up again and again in the written comments.   This is an initial review of the data. Once the full analysis is complete, a full report will be posted in English, French, and Spanish on CofChrist.org.   Show Notes In this conversation, the hosts: Describe who responded and where they live Name a bright spot among young adults Talk about how people take part in church life, both in person and online Share how respondents rated leadership approach and church direction Explain four polarities, which are pairs of values that need each other: clarity and openness, the worldwide church and local reality, preserving identity and evolving, and mission and sustainability Look at how people connect with the First Presidency, including through this podcast Describe what the written comments ask for, including clear communication and better access to translations The presidency plans to run the survey again in 2027.   Resources Full survey report (when available): https://CofChrist.org/ Share your thoughts with the First Presidency: [email protected] Learn more about Community of Christ: https://CofChrist.org/   Subscribe to Onward with Community of Christ and share this episode with someone who would like to listen.   Onward!   -- Onward with Community of Christ is a podcast from Community of Christ. Learn more at CofChrist.org. YouTube | Instagram | Facebook

What if priesthood is less about what you can do and more about how you show up? In this episode, the First Presidency explores servant leadership, authority rooted in humility, and the gift of a calm, compassionate presence in an anxious world.   Community of Christ believes all people are called to follow Jesus. So why does priesthood still matter? Starting with Jesus' parable of new wine and old wineskins (Luke 5:36–39 NRSVue), President Stassi D. Cramm and Counselors Bunda C. Chibwe and Janné C. Grover describe a shift from teaching a checklist of skills to nurturing a posture of humility, discernment, and collaboration. They talk about why mentoring matters so much for new ministers and how priesthood can look different in Africa, Latin America, Europe, and North America while staying rooted in a shared identity.   Share your thoughts or suggest a topic: [email protected] Learn more: https://www.CofChrist.org   Show Notes Priesthood and the call of all disciples Authority rooted in humility and love Moving from skills to posture Being a non-anxious presence Ministerial courage grounded in discernment Mentoring and learning by doing Formation for oral and story-based cultures Priesthood offices working together Resources Luke 5:36–39 NRSVue Doctrine and Covenants 163:6a Enduring Principles: All Are Called About Us | Community of Christ Community of Christ: https://www.CofChrist.org Onward!   -- Onward with Community of Christ is a podcast from Community of Christ. Learn more at CofChrist.org. YouTube | Instagram | Facebook

The First Presidency welcomes the Presiding Bishopric to talk about generosity, mission, and the future of Community of Christ. They share the strategic priorities guiding the church's finances, including efforts to invite younger generations into mission, find new sources of income, and build partnerships among congregations and mission centers around the world. Presiding Bishop Ron Harmon gives updates on the Temple and Auditorium in Independence, Missouri, USA, and Bunda Chibwe reflects on Ubuntu, "I am because we are," asking what might change if a global church focused on what we can do together.   Show Notes The Presiding Bishopric’s strategic priorities for supporting mission Engaging new generations in generosity and church life Exploring new sources of income and long-term financial sustainability Building mission partnerships across the worldwide church Stewarding church properties and the vision for Temple Ministries The 2026 Generosity Cycle and “Choosing Abundance for the Welfare of All” Resources Generosity Cycle: details coming soon CofChrist.org Peace Forum: CofChrist.org/peace-forum Listener questions: [email protected]   Onward!   -- Onward with Community of Christ is a podcast from Community of Christ. Learn more at CofChrist.org. YouTube | Instagram | Facebook

President Stassi Cramm and Counselors Bunda Chibwe and Janné Grover talk with Nick, the First Presidency's summer intern, about what community means across the world church. They reflect on a summer spent listening to young people describe community in five words or less, and what those answers reveal about belonging and unity in diversity. To provide translations for this episode, some voices were re-created using AI voiceover technology.   Show Notes What community means as a lived practice, not just a description How the Enduring Principle Blessings of Community shapes this conversation Young people's responses to describing community in five words or less Why young people are co-creators of the church today, not only its future A look ahead to the 2027 International Youth Forum Resources CofChrist.org [email protected] (listener questions)    Onward!   -- Onward with Community of Christ is a podcast from Community of Christ. Learn more at CofChrist.org. YouTube | Instagram | Facebook

The First Presidency talks about how shared leadership is taking shape across Community of Christ. President Stassi Cramm and Counselors Bunda Chibwe and Janné Grover explore how the First Presidency, Council of Twelve Apostles, and Presiding Bishopric are working together to support the church’s mission. They also answer listener questions about worldwide membership and what it means to measure faithfulness across a diverse, global church. Show Notes What shared leadership looks like in Community of Christ How the First Presidency approaches vision and discernment How the Council of Twelve Apostles supports mission across the church The Presiding Bishopric’s evolving role and responsibilities Questions about worldwide church membership How the church understands and measures faithfulness across diverse communities Navigating change with patience and shared discernment Resources CofChrist.org [email protected] (listener questions)   Onward!   -- Onward with Community of Christ is a podcast from Community of Christ. Learn more at CofChrist.org. YouTube | Instagram | Facebook

President Stassi Cramm and Counselors Bunda Chibwe and Janné Grover discuss why the climate emergency is a matter of faithful discipleship. They explore World Conference Resolution 1325, adopted at the 2023 World Conference, and Doctrine & Covenants 163, and talk about how a hurting planet intensifies poverty, displacement, and conflict worldwide. They also share how the church is responding: investing in solar technology at International Headquarters in Independence, Missouri, USA; enhancing environmental screens for church investments; and offering practical tools for congregations. Finally, they invite us to learn more and register for the 2026 Peace Forum, "Seeds of Peace: Environmental Justice and Action," 16–18 October in Independence, Missouri, or online, where we will worship, learn, and take creative action for a hurting planet. Show Notes Key Discussion Topics Earth stewardship as an act of discipleship, not a political stance World Conference Resolution 1325 and the 2023 climate emergency declaration Doctrine & Covenants 163 and the Enduring Principle of Sacredness of Creation The intersection of climate change with poverty, migration, and conflict Steps the world church is taking: solar energy, reduced travel, ESG investment screens Earth stewardship practices in African contexts and the concept of Ubuntu The Earth Stewardship Team and Green Congregations Checklist The 2026 Peace Forum Resources World Conference Resolution 1325: World Conference Resolution 1325 | Community of Christ Climate Emergency Statement: https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/26072/uploaded/c/0e20255765_1756402415_climate-emergency-sta… Doctrine & Covenants 163: Doctrine and Covenants | Community of Christ Earth Stewardship Team: Environmental Justice | Community of Christ Green Congregations Checklist: https://account-media.s3.amazonaws.com/26072/uploaded/g/0e17913797_1713192957_green-congregation-an… 2026 Peace Forum registration: Peace Forum | Community of Christ Onward! -- Onward with Community of Christ is a podcast from Community of Christ. Learn more at CofChrist.org. YouTube | Instagram | Facebook

Four young people from Spectacular (SPEC) sat down to talk about what belonging means to them, and their answers might change how you think about the future of Community of Christ.   This episode follows up on a recent conversation about why the International Youth Forum (IYF) and SPEC matter to the life of the church. Janné caught up with four SPEC campers at Graceland University: Anna, Aster, Benjamin and Josie. They talk about sacred community, what it feels like to belong, and what they hope the church hears from them. Hosts Stassi Cramm, Bunda Chibwe and Janné Grover close things out with their own thoughts on generosity, generational partnership, and continuing revelation.   Key topics in this episode: What sacred community means to four young people at SPEC Belonging, trust, and navigating different perspectives Tradition and ritual, including TexMex's lantern ceremony What youth want church leaders to know Host reflections on generational partnership and hope for the church   We'd love to hear what resonated with you or what you'd like us to explore next. Email us at [email protected].   Onward!   --   Onward with Community of Christ is a podcast from Community of Christ. Learn more at CofChrist.org.   YouTube | Instagram | Facebook

What do Spectacular and International Youth Forum mean for the future of Community of Christ? In this episode, President Stassi Cramm joins her counselors, Bunda Chibwe and Janné Grover, for an honest conversation about these two missional programs. They discuss the personal memories, the impact these programs have on young people's faith, and how adults across the church can show up to support them.   Onward! -- Onward with Community of Christ is a podcast from Community of Christ. Learn more at CofChrist.org. YouTube | Instagram | Facebook

In this episode of Onward, President Stassi Cramm and her counselors, Bunda Chibwe and Janné Grover, explore what it means to move beyond a statement on nonviolence and live it out every day.    The conversation focuses on World Conference Resolution 1330, the church's Statement on Nonviolence, adopted at the 2025 World Conference. Nonviolence is about more than avoiding physical harm. It's a way of living that shapes how we treat one another and work for justice in our congregations and communities.   Read World Conference Resolution 1330 at CofChrist.org.    Onward!   --   Onward with Community of Christ is a podcast from Community of Christ. Learn more at CofChrist.org.   YouTube | Instagram | Facebook

In this episode of Onward with Community of Christ, the First Presidency is joined by former Apostle Robin Linkhart, team lead for the Theology Formation Team, to reflect on the Baptism and Membership survey responses. Following the adoption of World Conference Resolution 1324 at the 2023 World Conference, the First Presidency invited members and friends around the world into a shared discernment process. Participants prayerfully considered questions about baptism and membership through the six lenses of discovering God's will before sharing their perspectives through a survey and written responses. In this conversation, the First Presidency and Robin discuss themes that emerged from the responses and reflect on what they learned as the church continues seeking God's guidance together. To learn more and read the survey report, visit CofChrist.org/baptism-and-membership.   Onward! -- Onward with Community of Christ is a podcast from Community of Christ. Learn more at CofChrist.org. YouTube | Instagram | Facebook

What does it mean to be a prophetic people in today's world?   In this episode of Onward with Community of Christ, the First Presidency explores how we listen for God's guidance and respond with courage, compassion, and hope. Together, they reflect on the role of personal and communal spiritual experiences in shaping our lives, our congregations, and our shared mission.   The conversation invites listeners to consider what it means to raise a prophetic voice today. How do we discern God's call? How do we imagine new possibilities for our communities and the world? And how can we faithfully respond to the challenges and opportunities before us?   Whether you're exploring faith, seeking spiritual growth, or wondering how God is at work in your life, this episode offers thoughtful insights and practical encouragement.   Share your thoughts about this episode or suggest future topics by emailing [email protected].   Onward!   --   Onward with Community of Christ is a podcast from Community of Christ. Learn more at CofChrist.org.   YouTube | Instagram | Facebook  The conversation invites listeners to stay in the struggle together, practice courageous listening, and respond faithfully in their own communities, encouraging bold local action guided by the Holy Spirit.

How do Community of Christ's identity, mission, message, and beliefs fit together? In this episode of Onward with Community of Christ, the First Presidency explores "One Farm, Many Fields," a metaphor that helps describe the identity and vocation of our worldwide church. As they travel and meet with members around the world, one of the most common questions they receive is how Community of Christ's mission, beliefs, and priorities connect. Through the farm metaphor, they reflect on what we hold in common, how mission is expressed in different cultural contexts, and how our shared vision participates in God's larger vision for creation. Join the conversation as the First Presidency explores unity, diversity, and the calling we share as a global faith community. Learn more about "One Farm, Many Fields" at CofChrist.org.   Onward!   -- Onward with Community of Christ is a podcast from Community of Christ. Learn more at CofChrist.org. YouTube | Instagram | Facebook

One year after the 2025 World Conference, Community of Christ First Presidency members Stassi Cramm, Bunda Chibwe, and Janné Grover reflect on leadership, accountability, listening, and how we continue shaping our shared future together. The First Presidency also invites the church to participate in A Year in Review survey and share feedback and reflections from this first year. https://forms.office.com/r/axmTMH3VCW 🔗   Your perspective matters! Take the survey and invite others to participate as well. Have ideas for future podcast topics? Email [email protected].   Subscribe for more conversations, updates, and stories from Community of Christ.   Onward!   -- Onward with Community of Christ is a podcast from Community of Christ. Learn more at CofChrist.org. YouTube | Instagram | Facebook

In this episode of Onward with Community of Christ, the First Presidency welcomes Joelle Wight to discuss the upcoming Peace Forum 2026. Hosted 16–18 October 2026 at the Community of Christ Temple in Independence, Missouri, USA, and online, this year's theme is "Seeds of Peace: Environmental Justice and Action." The episode highlights the presentation of the 2026 International Peace Award to renowned environmental advocate Bill McKibben, opportunities for children and youth, and four learning tracks featured throughout the event: -Deep Roots — exploring the spiritual and theological foundations that call us to care for creation -Expanding Trunk — discovering practical ways individuals can live more sustainably and respond to climate challenges in everyday life -Branch Out — engaging public action, advocacy, and community efforts for environmental justice -Bearing Fruit — imagining healthier communities, economies, and systems that nurture both people and the planet Learn more, register, view the schedule, and access preparation materials: CofChrist.org/peace-forum. Share your thoughts or podcast episode ideas at [email protected].   Onward! -- Onward with Community of Christ is a podcast from Community of Christ. Learn more at CofChrist.org

How can church governance support Christ’s mission in a changing world? In this episode of Onward with Community of Christ, the First Presidency welcomes former First Presidency member Scott Murphy to explore the ongoing bylaws review authorized by World Conference Resolution 1335.   Together, they discuss themes emerging from the 2025 bylaws survey and reflect on how Community of Christ can remain flexible and mission-focused as a global church.   Share your thoughts or suggestions for future topics at [email protected].   Onward!   --   Onward with Community of Christ is a podcast from Community of Christ. Learn more at CofChrist.org.   YouTube | Instagram | Facebook