SACRAMENTS

Previously  known  as  ordinances,  sacraments are special ministries given to the church to convey the grace of Jesus Christ to his followers and all those he yearns to touch with his compassion. In these ministries, God sanctifies common elements of creation (water,  bread  and  wine, oil, hands) to bless human life and to renew and form the church to seek the peaceful kingdom of God. Through the sacraments, we discover the presence of God everywhere and realize that all life is sacred.

These encounters point to God’s loving desire to bring all people to peace, wholeness, and right relationships with one another and the Divine, which is the meaning of salvation. The sacraments refresh, renew, and challenge us to continue on Christ’s mission, our mission, for the sake of all creation.

SACRAMENTS

BAPTISM
Baptism by immersion is a public act announcing you are choosing to follow Jesus Christ with all of your heart, might, mind, and strength. It is a decision that marks a significant point in recognizing God’s initiative in your life, turning toward God, and entering a covenant relationship with the community of disciples and God.
 
People old enough to make their own decision may be baptized in Community of Christ. This is considered the age of 8 and older. Baptism represents a first step toward membership in Community of Christ.

CONFIRMATION​
​Following baptism of water, new disciples take part in the sacrament of confirmation. It "confirms" membership in Community of Christ, and affirms the Holy Spirit’s continued blessing for each disciple.

COMMUNION
Communion is the time when we come together as on in remembrance of Jesus Christ. The Communion meal is shared the first Sunday of each month in the congregation and on special occasions.  All who believe in Christ, whether members of Community of Christ or not, are welcome to share the Lord’s Supper. Community of Christ uses unfermented grape juice as the wine.

BLESSING OF CHILDREN
When families bring their babies to be blessed by the elders, they are responding to God’s grace by choosing to raise their child in God’s loving community and promising to provide guidance and nurture throughout the child’s lifetime. The congregation also commits to being a loving community in which the child can thrive and grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Two elders administer the blessing of children, usually during a worship service. The parents, sibling, and family stand with the elders during the blessing. The elders hold, support, or place their hands on the child, and one elder offers a prayer of blessing. Children from newborn through age seven may be blessed. This sacrament is available to any child regardless of the family’s membership in Community of Christ.

LAYING ON OF HANDS FOR THE SICK
During times of physical, mental, or emotional distress, people may seek this sacrament from ministers. This sacrament opens a way for healing in whatever form it comes.

Usually two elders administer this sacrament together. They visit with the person to find out more about the person’s need. One elder places a drop of consecrated oil on the forehead of the person, places hands on the person’s head, and offers a statement of purpose and blessing. The second elder then places hands on the person’s head and offers a prayer for wholeness and well-being. This may be done privately or in the presence of family, friends, and the congregation.

​This sacrament is available to all seeking wholeness in body, mind, and spirit.

EVANGELIST BLESSING
Formerly called a Patriarchal Blessing, an evangelist blessing can be requested by individuals, couples, families, households, groups, and congregations who want to feel God’s loving grace and guidance. Time is spent in preparation through prayer, spiritual practices, study, and discernment. An evangelist or team of evangelists will guide the preparation. Once adequate preparation is completed, the evangelist(s) offers a prayer in a quiet setting on the agreed upon date and time.
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This sacrament expresses the universal love of God for the recipient(s) and brings assurance, clarifies choices, and provides light for a lifetime of faithful discipleship in response to God.

Learn more about Evangelist Blessing. 

ORDINATION
All members serve and take part in the mission of Christ. Some are called by God to be ordained ministers because their gifts help them serve the covenant community in specific ways.

Ordination recognizes the divine initiative to call certain disciples to particular priesthood responsibilities and ministries for the sake of the community, the congregation, and the world. This sacrament often is performed in a worship service. Officiating ministers, usually two, lay their hands on the person’s head. One minister offers a prayer, naming a specific priesthood office to which the person is being ordained, and may include added guidance and blessing. The congregation, representing the entire church, commits to receive the ministry that will come from the newly ordained priesthood member.

​Ordination confers authority on priesthood members according to the responsibilities of their particular priesthood offices. Priesthood members act within the guidelines and setting of the church community, upholding high standards of ministerial ethics and serving with integrity and trustworthiness.

Community of Christ has ordained persons regardless of race since 1865, regardless of gender since 1985, and (in the United States and several other jurisdictions of the church) regardless of sexual orientation since 2013. 

Although Community of Christ recognizes the validity and authority of ordained persons in other denominations, we do not transfer ordinations from another Christian denomination to represent Community of Christ. One must be called and ordained according to the current guidelines, policies and procedures of the church in order to hold priesthood. 

MARRIAGE
​Christian marriage is a sacred covenant between two people for lifelong, healthy, loving companionship. Marriage is also a legal agreement. The sacrament of marriage highlights God’s desire to strengthen and enrich the marriage.

A Community of Christ marriage ceremony includes a statement of mutual covenant, "'You both mutually agree to be each other’s companion…'" (Doctrine and Covenants 111:2b), and a pronouncement prayer, "'May God add his blessings and keep you to fulfill your covenants from henceforth and forever. Amen'" (Doctrine and Covenants 111:2d). The couple’s agreement establishes a lifelong bond, a covenant to share Christ-like love with each other, with others, and with God.

Community of Christ priests and elders may perform this sacrament, regardless of the couple’s membership in Community of Christ, as long as local laws governing marriage are followed.

​Same-sex marriages are celebrated in the United States and several other jurisdictions of the church.

Learn more about Community of Christ sacraments.