Melchizedec Credentials Guidelines

as Amended April 12, 2024

The Melchisedec Credential Guidelines represent the direction in which the Lord has desired we take in removing barrier and hinderances to the work of the Conference of Restoration Elders (CRE),

The following guidelines will serve as the basis for seating all elders in the current assembly and in other CRE conferences, and continue in effect unless, or until altered through future conference action.

Participation in the CRE shall be extended to authoritatively ordained Melchisedec Priesthood-

  1. Whose office and ordination has been determined to be in order by the Credentials Committee of said conference, or the Coordinating Council between conferences. Said elder does not accept such doctrines as the ordination of women to the priesthood, the serving of the sacrament to persons without authoritative baptisms. or participate or accept the calling and ordination of men to the priesthood offices other than elder, priest, teacher, or deacon. Any Elder which participated in such actions is required to renounce the same as a credentialed elder.
  2. Who, while not joined with a branch, has remained faithful to their calling, and whose office and calling has been determined to be in order by the Credentials Committee of said conference, or the Coordinating Council between the conferences.
  3. Who, for reasons of conscience or physical location has continued to minister within the framework of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints/Community of Christ, but who has not subscribed to, nor participated in any divergent doctrines, and whose office and ordination has been determined to be in order by the Credentials Committee of said conference, or the Coordinating Council between conferences.
  4. Who, has since been affiliated with one or more of the factional movements-who are willing to reconcile.
  5. Who, by accepting a call to the priesthood, has accepted the personal responsibility of maintaining the highest standards of Christian conduct. Verified failure to maintain such standards may constitute grounds for denying or revoking one's right to voice, vote, and participation in the Elders Conference.
    6. a. Upon the written verification of two or more credible witnesses to conduct on the part of the Melchisedec priesthood member that is unbecoming a priesthood member, or conduct that is detrimental to that member's ministry, or the ministry of others, the Credentials Committee, or Coordinating Council between conferences, will determine whether said priesthood member is eligible to participate in the Conference of Restoration Elders

Circumstances or questions concerning the eligibility of a Melchisedec priesthood member to be seated in the Elders Conference that may arise that are not covered by any of the above guidelines will be reviewed and acted upon by the Credentials Committee on a case-by-case basis.

Appeals of the decision of the Credentials Committee for seating shall be made in writing and submitted to the Coordinating Council of the Conference of Restoration Elders for review, consideration, and action. If the appeal is denied, and one of the parties involved desires to appeal the decision of the Coordinating Council, a committee of seven elders shall be elected from the seated body of elders in conference to review and consider the appeal. The elected representatives will consider the appeal during the convening conference and render a decision that shall be final for the conference will be preserved and protected.