By Susan Naylor, World Conference director
and Jenn Killpack, Communications director
Preparations for 2025 World Conference are moving forward
World Conference is a time when delegates, families, and friends come together to create community, worship, and manage the church's business. It’s a time that binds a common past with hopes for a common future of peace.
The next Conference, in 2025, will run from May 30 to June 6 in Independence, Missouri, USA.
Theme
“Hope Is Here.” The World Conference journey of hope will begin with our sacred story. It is our history that pushes us forward. Through Communion we turn toward hope, again and again recommitting ourselves to the hope found in Christ.
As new leadership is called and sustained by the body, we will see glimpses of the prophetic spirit already at work. Midweek, we will rest in all the change, breathing in hope. We recognize our journey has not been easy, but as each of us sees the hope-filled vision, we can faithfully choose a hope that leads us onward. The Pentecost story, Acts 2:1–21 NRSVUE, will guide our Conference journey.
Historic Events
At the 2025 Conference, we will celebrate President Steve Veazey’s twenty years of courageous, visionary leadership as its eighth prophet-president. On May 31, 2025, after faithfully serving in full-time ministry for more than forty-two years, Steve will be honored as he transitions from the burdens and responsibilities of prophet-president to continue his ministry in retirement as president emeritus.
In January 2024, following a period of discernment and input from the entire church, the Council of Twelve Apostles presented the name of Stassi D. Cramm to serve as the next prophet-president. This call will be presented for consideration at the Conference. If approved and supported, she will be ordained prophet-president Sunday evening, June 1, 2025, making her the first woman in church history to serve as prophet-president.
Recognizing the historical significance of leadership changes, Conference preparations will move forward with anticipation, ongoing discernment, and prayerful hopefulness. May we all faithfully serve to ensure that God’s purposes are embodied in the church’s mission to bless the entire creation.
Legislation
Fourteen pieces of legislation have been submitted by mission centers and World Church standing teams. According to the standing rules and procedures, having the Conference provide input in prioritizing legislation is considered optional. However, the First Presidency considers prioritization a very important part of the legislative process.
To help with the overall planning process before Conference and avoid using time in the 2025 conference schedule, the Presidency will follow a process similar to the 2023 World Conference. Each mission center will be asked to prioritize resolutions submitted to the 2025 World Conference to provide recommendations to the First Presidency in developing the legislative agenda. Watch for instructions on how to participate from your mission center.
Exploration Sessions
In preparation for World Conference 2025, plan to participate in online Exploration Sessions. These facilitated Zoom gatherings will allow participants to share their thoughts and listen to other perspectives. Anyone interested can register for the sessions that interest them.
The first session will be 11–16 November 2024, and will focus on the 2024 Draft Statement on Nonviolence. The First Presidency requests feedback on the statement with a deadline of 28 February 2025. Find the draft statement at CofChrist.org and in the July/August 2024 Herald.
For the World Conference resolutions, sessions will be held February to April 2025. Find the World Conference resolutions online now and in the January/February 2025 Herald.
We will explore one resolution or topic per week. Specific dates and topics will be announced in the new year. Session times:
- Tuesdays 7:30–9:15 p.m.
- Wednesdays 7:30–9:15 p.m.
- Thursdays 10:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
- Saturdays 12:30–2:15 p.m.
Sessions, held in Central US Time, will be provided in English.
All sessions will be free and will use the Zoom Events platform. Watch for details, registration information, and instructions for participation preparation on the church website and in other announcements.
Online
Bookmark the World Conference webpage. There you will find:
- Draft schedule
- Resolutions
- Online registration (coming soon)