Matt Naylor (l.) and Harry Ashenhurst discuss a peacemaking topic.

Dave Brubaker offers a Menonite viewpoint.

Jim Cason of the Friends listens intently.

Peacemakers Summit Questions At the outset, Community of Christ President Steve Veazey posed several questions. Among them:  How can we establish a faithful, coherent, complete theology and spirit of justice and peacemaking to sustain and strengthen our efforts?  How can we have a greater impact on alleviating poverty, one of the most pervasive injustices in the world, by working with the poor? How can we educate and equip people of all ages with the concepts, principles, and skills of effective peacemaking? How can we raise the funds for our shared peacemaking mission? How can we increase opportunities for youth and young adults to be peacemakers? How can we help congregations engage in community building and transformation as an expression of Christ’s peace? How can we act and not just speak prophetically in the world?

Summit Connects Peacemakers, Creates Options

Representatives left the Peacemakers Summit with a vision problem.

It’s not that a confusing fog obscured their eyesight. Rather, it’s as if a crystal day on a mountaintop provided vision so clear they could gaze in many directions. So which way should they head? Were they to choose one path? Choose many?

The summit, the first of its kind, brought together more than 70 people in Independence, Missouri, at the Temple dedicated to the pursuit of peace. Fittingly, the two-day event began September 21 on the United Nations Day of Peace.

When representatives left for home, they carried a Peace Summit Statement that leaders will refine after poring over a wealth of information. Participants also possessed action plans for their organizations, ideas, and a strong sense of support. In addition they took personal links to numerous organizations connected to Community of Christ.

“I’ve sensed that a lot of our work has just begun,” church President Steve Veazey said. “We will go through the information and glean the action steps we need to take. We commit to staying in close communication, so you’ll be hearing from us soon and often. This already has impacted some of our thinking about how we’ll proceed, organize World Conference, organize future events like this, support you on a day-to-day basis.

“At this point we’re not concluding, but transitioning, into the work we’re dedicated to.”

President Veazey noted that work in an April 5 address. That night he called for such a summit to begin to address issues that are “what matters most” (poverty, disease, regional conflicts) to the majority of church members across the globe.

The summit included well-known partners. One was Outreach International, which fights poverty and builds peace in several countries. The event also featured new groups, such as PeacePathways, which plans to use the Web to link various groups in the cause of peace.

Repeatedly, people said a huge benefit was meeting others. Matt Naylor, Outreach International president, explained: “As good as social networking and new technology are, there’s still tremendous value in sharing a meal together, having coffee together, looking into someone’s eyes, and having them tell their story.”

Among those attending were representatives of the Mennonites and Friends, groups historically identified as peace churches. Leaders invited them to share observations on the Community of Christ journey.

Said Jim Cason of the Friends Committee on National Legislation: “I feel like I’m coming here to learn, as well as to tell you what we do. I’m struck by the breadth of experience in this room and community. I would encourage you to see your diversity and all of the things you do as a real strength.…You have a great start, and in my mind are already a peace church. Now you’re figuring out how to be better.”

Dave Brubaker of the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding at Eastern Mennonite University, offered a similar observation: “What struck me is how much peace work you’re already doing across the organization; you just don’t call it that.”

He also gave a warning: “We do not need another church that is deeply polarized. If you can figure out how to do this without buying into polarizing on the left or right, that will benefit you.”

Erica Blevins Nye, young-adult disciple formation specialist, said her group carries a passion for peace and justice. “What we’re looking to do here is exactly what young adults want.”

Despite all the enthusiasm, Rod Downing, who publishes a human-rights newsletter, sounded a cautionary note on the summit’s impact: “The value remains to be seen. The potential is there in that we’ve tended at times to be unconnected. This will allow more of a connection.”

Meanwhile, the summit thrilled Amanda Hernandez of Mexico. “Being here, I feel like I’m in a high place and have a fear of heights. Organizations are doing things I wish could happen in my country. What I will take with me is the challenge to create a bridge between what is happening in the organizations and my congregation in Mexico City.”

—Greg Clark reporting