An Invitation to a Joint Conference of Branches September 14, 2005 - Independence, MO
Dear Restoration Branches and Fellow Saints in the US and Canada:
We invite you to attend a Joint Conference of Branches scheduled for November 10 - 13. After viewing several locations, the Stone Church in Independence, Missouri, was determined to be the most appropriate for our purposes. All branches that want to participate in the upcoming conference are asked to formally join the call for a Joint Conference, elect delegates to the conference, and notify the Credentials Committee. Any church member who is not a member of a participating branch may also take part in the conference by registering with the Credentials Committee.
We believe that the need for a joint conference is great. The underlying purpose is to promote unity among participating Restoration Branches and provide voice and vote for the saints. We hope to generate points of agreement by legislatively adopting resolutions which clearly identify our origins and common beliefs and goals. There is no association with the Community of Christ, nor is it a sanctioning organization. To form a better union of branches, enhance harmony among the saints, foster efficiency of effort, and forge a finer foundation on which to build up the kingdom of God, we invite you and your branch to participate in the Joint Conference of Branches.
The conference may create order as it gathers willing branches into one assembly, answer who the church is and who its members are, recognize who are authorized priesthood, assure unity of doctrine, foster cooperation and support among branches, and develop a coordinated evangelism program that preaches the gospel in our communities and throughout the world.
Several branches formally called for a conference and invited all interested branches and saints to help plan the event by mailing a letter to all pastors of known Restoration Branches. Voting representatives from 24 branches attended a meeting on Saturday, August 20, 2005. The meeting included at least 146 saints. They elected a temporary chair, a temporary secretary, and a temporary treasurer, established and filled a Credentials Committee, a Logistics Committee, a Joint Activities Committee, and an Evangelism Committee, approved a conference format, discussed rules of representation, and authorized a letter of invitation to be sent to as many saints as possible.
We encourage branches that choose to participate in the conference to enact legislation that they want considered at the conference and send those resolutions to Joint Conference of Branches, c/o Bob Moore, at either the mailing or e-mail address listed below. All branch initiated resolutions must be received by October 21, 2005, to be placed on the conference agenda. Participants in the conference may present resolutions for consideration during the conference. Information about participating branches, temporary officers, committees and committee members, rules of representation, submitted legislation, schedules, times and dates will be posted on the web at www.confernceofbranches.org
Since 1984, the Reorganized Church has fragmented. Its more traditional-believing members have been scattered, leaving many confused, discouraged, and isolated. Meanwhile, Restoration branches have encountered difficulty finding ways to unify. New organizations and even new churches have arisen. Fortunately, the law of the church allows for the organization of both a Restoration Branch and a Joint Conference of Branches. They provide a way for the saints to come together, gather into one, and maintain the restored gospel as preserved in the Reorganization.
Six or more members of the church under the care of an authorized priesthood member have a right granted by the Articles of Incorporation1 to form a branch. Restoration Branches formed by six or more resident members and adhering to the original doctrines and tenets of the church are lawful branches of the church.2
Just as faithful saints have the right to organize a branch of the church, several branches have the right to call a joint conference of branches. Authority for branches to call a special conference is authorized in The Rules of Order.3 As of this date, more than two branches have voted to hold a conference with other branches.
We believe that where no movement is made to organize into a new church, the calling of a Joint Conference is within the law. We also believe that a conference will be pleasing to the Lord and in harmony with His will. If the saints move forward, they will receive clarification and edification.
We invite your branch to join in the call for a Joint Conference of Branches and welcome your participation. Information on committees and member contact information is provided. Proposed rules of representation are also attached. These require participating branches to notify the Credentials Committee as soon as possible by forwarding information about the branch (see the attached branch registration form). Once delegates have been elected, please forward their names to the committee.
If your branch chooses to not participate in the conference, you may participate as a member of the church. Please contact the Credentials Committee, telling them your name, address, where you attend, who baptized and confirmed you, the dates of your baptism and confirmation, and the statistics about any ordinations you may have received.
If you would like additional information or have any questions, please feel free to contact any of us. Our contact information is as follows:
Bob Moore; 26105 E. Bundschu, Independence, MO 64056; bob@mooremark.com
Rudy Leutzinger: 15500 E 44th Terr, Independence, MO 64055; rleutzinger@yahoo.com
Dan Sherer: 1924 S. 7 HWY, Independence., MO 64057; dsherer@juno.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1Articles of Incorporation of The Reorganized Church of Jesus of Christ of Latter Day Saints (1872), Rules and Resolutions, Appendix A, Article 1. ". . . A branch may be organized at any time, or place, by the concurrence of six or more resident members in good standing, of said Reorganized Church, one of whom must be an elder, priest, teacher, or deacon."
2Ibid. " . . . The church adheres to the doctrines and tenets of the original "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints," as organized by Joseph Smith (the martyr), now deceased, on the sixth day of April, A. D. 1830, as the same has been reorganized by Joseph Smith, now of Plano, Illinois. . . Said Reorganized Church and its stakes and branches are in all respects subject to the doctrines and tenets of the said original, and reorganization, in this article mentioned.
3Rules of Order, Rules and Resolutions, Part 3, Sec 20. "Special Conferences may be called by the First Presidency for the General Conference; by ministers in charge for missions, by stake or district presidents for stakes or districts, or by the bodies concerned."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
