PRIESTHOOD

All are called in Community of Christ to engage in the mission of Christ.  Some are called by God to priesthood (ordained ministers), in specific offices or roles, each of which represents a different part of Jesus’ ministry. 

Priesthood is a sacred covenant with God and the church. Priesthood members are dedicated to creating sacred communities that prepare, equip, and send disciples in Christ’s mission. 

In Community of Christ, we recognize the office of Member or Disciple as having duties and responsibilities essential to the mission of the church. We also have two orders of priesthood (ordained ministry): Aaronic and Melchisedec.

Aaronic Priesthood

The Aaronic priesthood witness for Jesus Christ by calling individuals, families, congregations, and communities into deeper relationships with each other and our Lord. The presence of Aaronic ministers in our faith community is essential for our nurturing as a people who desire to be a global expression of Christ’s Peaceable Kingdom on earth. 
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Deacon
Teacher
​Priest

Melchisedec Priesthood

​The Melchisedec priesthood is composed of two primary offices—elder and high priest. Some elders are also called to the specialized office of seventy. Some high priests are also called to the specialized offices of evangelist, bishop, apostle, or president.

Elder
Seventy
High Priest
Bishop
Evangelist
Apostle 
President

Church Structure

WORLD CHURCH
​The First Presidency provides leadership for the international denomination known to the world as Community of Christ. The World Church (general church) is divided into large geographic areas called fields, which are supervised by the Council of Twelve Apostles. Each of the twelve apostles is assigned to a field. Most apostles also receive a functional assignment (for example Ecumenical and Interfaith Ministries).

MISSION
​​Each field  is composed of several mission centers. Similar to a combined  stake  and  mission,  mission centers have several congregations and are presided over by a Mission Center President.

LOCAL
Members belong to a congregation. Each congregation has a pastor who is the presiding officer of the congregation. Pastors are usually assisted  by  two  counselors, but a variety of pastorate formations exist in the life of the church (see Pastors in the Culture section).  Bishops are typically assigned to mission centers or apostolic fields. Bishops oversee the finances of the church. They encourage  the  church  to  give  generously according to one's true capacity, work to alleviate poverty,  and also provide leadership and mentoring for the Aaronic priesthood. 

World Church Leadership

FIRST PRESIDENCY
Community of Christ is led by a Prophet-President. The First Presidency is composed of the Prophet-President and two counselors. The First Presidency presides over the Melchisedec priesthood and World Church. Listen to the First Presidency on Coffee Buzz, part of Project Zion Podcast. 

COUNCIL OF TWELVE APOSTLES
Members of the Council of Twelve Apostles are high priests called and ordained to be special witnesses of Christ's peace. The Twelve oversee the missionary work of the church. Assigned by the First Presidency, they carry major responsibility for church expansion, and serve as supervisors over field jurisdictions. 

PRESIDENTS OF SEVENTY
Each quorum of seventy is led by a President of Seventy who serves on the Council of Presidents of Seventy. Presidents of Seventy work closely with the Council of Twelve Apostles to lead the missionary effort of the church and share Christ’s peace. 

SEVENTY
The Seventy carry out missionary work for the church in close association with other missionary leaders. Seventy are organized into groups by geographic area called quorums. Each quorum is led by a quorum president. The ministry of the Seventy is focused on invitation and witness modeled  after Luke 10:1-12 which begins, "After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go" (Luke 10:1 NRSV). Seventy are Forerunners of Christ's peace. 

PRESIDING EVANGELIST
​The Presiding Evangelist (formerly called Presiding Patriarch) serves as a spiritual companion, counselor and guide to the church, its leaders, and to the Order of Evangelists in fulfilling the significant ministry they provide to the church, especially in a time of transformation and change. 

EVANGELISTS
Evangelists are ordained to be ministers of blessing, witnesses of Jesus Christ and responsive to the reconciling and redeeming influence of the Holy Spirit in the lives of persons. Evangelists serve in multiple ministries according to the unique gifts and callings of each evangelist. Evangelists are High Priests.

Learn more about Evangelist blessings. 

HIGH PRIEST QUORUM
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High priests are ministers of vision for Community of Christ. The Quorum of High Priests includes more than 1,000 experienced ministers called to provide servant leadership based on the model of Jesus Christ. High priests articulate vision and challenge us to see Christ's mission, our mission, and what is possible--as disciples, as ministers, as congregations, as communities, and as a worldwide church. 

PRESIDING BISHOPRIC
The Presiding Bishopric consists of the Presiding Bishop and two counselors. Together they are responsible for looking after the finances and properties of the church. They are advocates of economic justice for all and teach the principles of stewardship and generosity. They preside over the Aaronic priesthood and all the bishops in the church (known as the Order of Bishops). 

BISHOPS
The Order of Bishops guides the church in teaching and preaching "Disciple’s Generous Response Principles." Bishops are supported by the Presiding Bishopric in training and strengthening the ministry of the Aaronic priesthood members. They support justice and peacemaking by advocating for economic justice in the church and world. Bishops are High Priests.