The Standing High Council of Community of Christ
Community of Christ, the former RLDS Church, has a functioning Standing High Council. Composed of twelve members, it retains some (but not all) of the duties detailed in Joseph Smith Jr's priesthood structure. One major difference is that its members are not general officers that are equal to the Twelve. As such, the Standing High Council is not part of the World Church Leadership Council. The Standing High Council, however, functions in an advisory role for the First Presidency. Its decisions may be landmark, usually overturned only through action of a World Conference. Major decisions include its 1982 statement on homosexuality.
The Church Administrator's Handbook 2005 Edition states:
The Standing High Council meets at the request of the First Presidency to consider questions of moral and ethical significance, to provide general advice and counsel to the First Presidency, and to consider appeals from courts of field jurisdictions. The Standing High Council may also advice the Presiding Bishopric when requested by the First Presidency.The current members of the Standing High Council are:
- William M. Barnhard
- Gwendolyn Hawks-Blue
- Kent G. Bradford
- Sharon M. Kirkpatrick
- Valerie K. Brennan
- Marilee A. Martens
- David M. Byrn
- Scott A. Roberson
- Dennis R. Clinefelter
- Kathy D. Robinson
- Matthew J. Frizzell
- Patricia K. Trachsel
Read more about this topic: Presiding High Council
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