Becky Savage was called at the 2007 World Conference to serve as a member of the First Presidency and counselor to President Stephen M. Veazey. She and her husband, Greg live in Independence, Missouri.

Discernment Activity

Doctrine and Covenants 163
Commentary Series

Magnified Faithfulness

by Becky L. Savage

The expectation for priesthood to continually magnify their callings through spiritual growth, study, exemplary generosity, ethical choices, and fully accountable ministry is always present. How can the Spirit fill vessels that are unwilling to expand their capacity to receive and give according to a full measure of God’s grace and truth?

Counsel given previously regarding the need to develop ways whereby priesthood can magnify their ministry or determine their commitment to active service remains applicable and should be more intentionally implemented. The First Presidency will provide guidelines for processes to be applied in culturally respectful ways in the various fields of the church. Fundamentally, however, the ultimate responsibility for priesthood faithfulness rests on the individual in response to the needs and expectations of the faith community.—Doctrine and Covenants 163:6c–d

Followers of Christ’s peace are dedicated to being and bringing Christ’s peace. Being and bringing Christ’s peace is an endeavor for both the individual and the community. Disciples devote their life to magnifying their response to Christ’s guidance. The magnifying process includes a continuous cycle of servant ministry. The cycle involves: (1) understanding faithfulness, (2) recognizing the grace cycle of receiving and sharing, and (3) bringing blessing to others. Although the form of ministry changes over time, disciples commit to a lifetime of faithful service with and for God. Ordained priesthood members commit to bring blessing to others by magnifying their giftedness and providing servant ministry.

Magnify means to enhance, increase, strengthen, and intensify one’s devotion to God. Magnified living occurs by modeling the life of Jesus Christ. This requires living counter to typical cultural expectations. In his July 2008 Herald commentary, Dave Brock wrote,

Our authority is Christ. If we do our best to faithfully follow the life patterns of Jesus and remain true to the values at the core of who we are at our best, the world will eventually recognize the integrity and authority: No privilege. No platform. No self-promotion. “Not me, but Christ in me.”

Understanding Faithfulness

(Blessing + Worth) + (Commitment + Covenant) = Faithfulness

Faithfulness in Community of Christ is a mutual relationship between a gracious and generous God and individuals who recognize God’s blessings and generously respond through discipleship. Biblical testimony affirms God’s unwavering blessings. These stories express the relationship between a grace-giving God and responsive, faithful people. God called Abram from Chaldea and repeatedly blessed him
and his family (see Genesis 12:1–4, 7–8; 13:14–18; 15:1–6 NRSV).

Jesus shared stories and parables of blessings:

Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master. —Matthew 25:21

Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. —Luke 16:10

Other New Testament writers affirm the relationship between God and those who faithfully respond:

For in Christ Jesus...the only thing that counts is faith working through love. —Galatians 5:6

So then, [people] ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. Now it is
required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. —I Corinthians 4:1–2 NIV

Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he [God] who has promised is faithful…. By faith he [Abraham] received power of procreation, even though he was too old—and Sarah herself was barren—because he considered him faithful who had promised. —Hebrews 10:23; 11:11 NRSV

Faithfulness is the disciple’s loving response to the abundant grace of God’s blessings and peace expressed through Jesus Christ. Each disciple is a child of God, fully blessed and graced with giftedness for loving service to and with others. Faithful disciples accept God’s Spirit and loving presence in their lives. First, disciples recognize their worth as blessed children of God. Second, disciples commit to follow the example of Jesus’ ministries. Third, faithful disciples covenant with God to share Christ’s peace through dedicated servant ministry. When disciples combine their sense of blessing and worth with commitment and covenant, they fulfill a mutual relationship of loving faithfulness.

Our relationship with God through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit provides the affirming presence essential for faithful discipleship. Ongoing connection nurtures and sustains our relationship with the Divine. Connection-points with the Divine include reading scriptures, daily prayer, regular devotions, routine worship, and sharing God’s love within and outside the fellowship of the church. Periodic review and renewal of our connections to and with the Divine is essential for magnifying faithfulness.

The Cycle of Receiving and Sharing

Which is easier: to give or to receive? People often respond, “It is easier to give than to receive.” Often individuals do not feel worthy of receiving. Instead, an individual’s worth is determined by their level of giving. Wholistic ministries intertwine both offering and accepting God’s generosity. Understanding and accepting both parts of the cycle are essential for effective discipleship and ministry. Faithful servant ministers and disciples receive God’s love, grace-filled forgiveness, and abundant blessings. Faithful servant ministers and disciples generously give love, forgiveness, and abundant blessings.

Faithful disciples interweave mind, body, spirit, and relationships into a wholistic cycle of ministry. The receiving of God’s generosity of grace is expressed in sharing of the overflow of grace in loving service with and for others. A gracefilled member described this abundance this way: “I am so blessed. My cup is not only full; it is overflowing my saucer and more.”

Disciples and priesthood must understand, embrace, and live the cycle of abundance. President Veazey offers this guidance: “God has already placed within our lives the gifts of recognition and response. God also blesses us with the presence of the Holy Spirit to strengthen us and magnify our gifts as we respond.” Faithful ministry overflows with the love, grace, and peace of Jesus Christ. This results in the acceptance of individuals into the community of Christ as valued children of God.

Priesthood are responsible for interweaving mind, body, spirit, and relationships into a wholistic model of ministry. First, ministers express thankfulness for receiving the gift of God’s generous grace by sharing the overflowing spirit of gratitude with others. Next, priesthood members partner with other priesthood to learn principles of wholistic ministry based on the model of Jesus Christ. Third, ministerial partners commit to lifelong learning, development, and relationship building. Through effective partnerships and ministerial accountabilities, priesthood bring blessing to others.

Bringing Blessing to Others

The third aspect of faithful discipleship and ministry involves bringing blessing to others. This is a cycle of blessing that happens in relationships with others. As disciples become more sensitive to the needs of others in the community, they see where more ministry is needed.

The purpose of ministry and discipleship is to bring blessing. So magnifying effectiveness “in response to the needs and expectations of the faith community” is crucial. To magnify one’s ministerial effectiveness, it is essential to have regular encounters with the Divine.

The expectation for priesthood to continually magnify their callings through spiritual growth, study, exemplary generosity, ethical choices, and fully accountable ministry is always present. —D. and C. 163:6c

Personal health in mind, body, spirit, and relationships frees disciples and priesthood to focus on essential aspects of ministry. People who are healthy in mind, body, and spirit can focus beyond themselves. There is energy and capacity to meet the needs and expectations of the faith community.

Disciples and priesthood must recognize their personal needs for change and growth. Recognition of developmental needs is the first step toward magnifying ministry. How can one improve without knowing their areas of weakness? The next step is to explore ways to learn and practice new ministry so weaknesses become strengths. It is helpful to collaborate with other ministers, particularly with mentors, who provide honest and specific guidance. Completion of additional studies such as Temple School, MEADS, college courses, or seminary classes strengthens ministry skills. Ministry partners explore critical ethical issues and dilemmas. Confronted with difficult religious, social, and behavioral issues, we need to explore choices and responses that model the peace of Jesus Christ.

Additional blessings occur through partnership with other disciples and ministers. When people share their unique giftedness and experiences with others, everyone is blessed. For example, there is benefit when priesthood go two-by-two to bring ministry and blessing. They prayerfully prepare and discuss the purpose and needs of the individual or family. During the visit, one minister leads while the other offers prayerful listening and support. An additional listener allows for a mutual exchange of ideas and magnifies the ministry. After the visit, the two prayerfully share together and plan for additional ministries. The mutuality of partnership magnifies faithfulness in ministry.

Effective Ministry

Building the peaceable kingdom requires faithful disciples and priesthood. Despite the complexity of serving others, faithfulness requires compassion, sensitivity, and lifelong commitment. Awareness of the cycles of faithfulness, receiving and sharing, and bringing blessing to others improves the capacity for effective ministry. Disciples are most effective when traveling the path of transformation together. May God’s abundant blessings continue to lead each faithful disciple toward the Zionic ideal of peace, reconciliation, and healing of the spirit.