Mark Scherer

The courageous Saints from the Restoration, to the Reorganization, to present day have participated in a journey that can be celebrated with a powerful sense of common identity. Mark Scherer refers to these eras in the Community of Christ journey: the Era of Restoration, the Era of Reorganization, and the Era of Worldwide Community . In seeking to understand the present direction/identity of the Community of Christ, it is important to examine the historical and social context from which each era has evolved. The historical inquiry can cause us to venture into uncomfortable pathways. When embraced with “historical consciousness” our pathway is broadened and our faith can flourish. Roy A. Cheville reminded his readers that each generation is …show more content…
I realized her faith journey demonstrates a willingness to be molded and how she has allowed God to transform her faith. Even as Margaret shared, and I discovered what I thought to be a progressive theology, she expressed the concerns of how could those early Saints have been so misled. I realized, even with her willingness to let go of previous understanding, there is still struggle. Throughout the class, I too struggled with what I first thought was an “avoidance” by the church to address our historical xxxxx. Upon further reflection, I realize much of what I sensed as “avoidance” was a pastoral commitment to the hearts and journey of so many faithful people. In moving forward with Margaret, or others, and addressing the concerns, below is how I would begin to share both “pastorally sensitive and “theologically reflective” information that might allow for an exercise in faith seeking understanding. I have sensed similar struggles with many in my congregation and I have prayed, if I can be an instrument to help these faithful hearts find calm, may it be so. This assignment, I pray, might provide me with the confidence and courage to embrace this challenge more fully and help when “faithful” differs from “truthful.
In Mark Sherer’s book, The Journey of a People, he shares six realities in understanding …show more content…
As I read “Journey of a People” , I am seeing a different side to the Joseph Smith Jr.’s leadership. I am seeing pastoral concern and emotional responses to situations that affected his theology, such as baptism of the dead. As stated in The Journey of a People, “Once again the prophet met a considerable need of not only his family, but also his followers.” Please know, that I am not comparing my simple journey to that of Joseph Smith Jr., but as a pastor, knowing more of the story, I believe I better understand and appreciate the journey. The “coming forth” of the Restoration movement was filled with historical, cultural and inspiration of Joseph Smith Jr. and his family which provided energy to the origin of the movement. In the text, “The Book of Mormon’s Witness”, Dale Luffman defines, theology as faith venturing to inquire, daring to ask questions, and seeking to comprehend. Just as many today invest in inquiry and seek understanding, I now trust that is what Joseph Smith Jr was doing as he wrote the Book of Mormon. With the faithfulness, desire, and knowledge to know God, he authored the Book of Mormon which became a catalyst for the Restoration Movement. “Issuing from “the gift and power of God” working in the life of Joseph Smith Jr. the resulting text had a profound connection with both his time and his place.” Throughout the leadership of the