Maybe it’s time to Come Home: An Invitation to Former RLDS Members

Author

Elder Jim Fairchild

If you grew up RLDS, you remember the hymns that shaped your faith, the camps that formed lifelong friendships, the testimonies that stirred your spirit and the deep sense of purpose that once grounded your life. Even if the years have carried you in different directions, that longing for connection, meaning and spiritual rootedness never fully disappears. In Community of Christ the soil has changed, but the roots are familiar. Maybe it’s time to see how your spiritual story can grow again.

The Church You Left Isn’t the Church We Are Today

Many former RLDS members stepped away because church didn’t fit anymore. Life shifted. Expectations felt heavy. Leadership disappointed. Rules felt rigid. Or maybe faith simply stopped matching the Jesus you believed in. You’re not alone.

But Community of Christ today is not the RLDS church you left years ago. It has grown, transformed and embraced a more open, welcoming, Christ‑centered way of being church. Our mission is lived through compassion, justice, peace and community — not pressure, not perfection, not human‑made expectations. If you’ve wondered whether faith can still matter… the answer might surprise you.

A Christ‑Centered Community
​That Honors Your Past

If you grew up RLDS, your faith likely began with devotion to Jesus and a call to care for people on the margins. Community of Christ carries that mission forward through gospel-rooted, progressive Christian values (Enduring Principles): every person has worth, justice matters, and discipleship means putting compassion into action.
Perhaps the next chapter of your faith is waiting where your journey began.

About the Hurt, the Hypocrisy, and the Hard Parts

Your Hurt Is Real
If hypocrisy, harmful leadership, or rules that did not reflect Christ led you away, you are not alone. Those experiences leave a mark — but they don’t have to define your spiritual life forever. Many people raised RLDS carry those same wounds—and still long for an authentic spiritual community.

“It is not pleasing to God when any passage of scripture is used to diminish or oppress races, genders, or classes of human beings. Much physical and emotional violence has been done to some of God’s beloved children through the misuse of scripture. The church is called to confess and repent of such attitudes and practices.” D&C 163:7

Imperfect People, Meaningful Faith
 Every community is made up of imperfect people, but their shortcomings need not prevent you from finding a spiritual home where you can grow, heal and reconnect with God. We acknowledge our own failures in attitude and action while committing to resist fear and hatred and to challenge prejudice and discrimination wherever they appear.
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“From the earliest days you have been given a sacred principle that declares the inestimable worth of all persons. Do not forget. The One who created all humankind grieves at the shameful divisions within the human family. A prophetic people must work tirelessly to tear down walls of separation and to build bridges of understanding. You hold precious lives in your hands. Be gentle and gracious with one another. A community is no stronger than the weakest within it. Even as the One you follow reached out to those who were rejected and marginalized, so must the community that bears his name.” D&C 162:6

A Renewed Community
Our "Blessings of Community" enduring principle highlights the importance of gathering, supporting one another and working collectively toward common goals. The gospel of Jesus Christ emphasizes the importance of community in creating a space of love and care that is essential for the well-being of all individuals.

​Community of Christ offers an inclusive, Christ-centered way of being church—one that honors your RLDS heritage while pursuing compassion, justice and peace. Perhaps it is time to take another look.

Your Story Still Fits Here

If church stopped feeling like home, that doesn’t mean your faith story is over. Community of Christ invites you to reconnect with a Christ‑centered community where worship, learning, caring and mission come first. No pressure. No judgment. Just people walking with Christ in compassion, justice and peace.

A significant aspect of Community of Christ is its dedication to service and outreach. The church believes in living out its faith by helping those in need, both locally and globally. There are numerous ways for members to get involved.  
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“You who are my disciples must be found continuing in the forefront of those organizations and movements which are recognizing the worth of persons and are committed to bringing the ministry of my Son to bear on their lives.” D&C 151:9

​Engaging in service projects provides us with the opportunity to make a tangible difference in the world, while also enriching their own lives. These experiences foster a sense of purpose and connection, reminding us that our faith calls us to act and serve others. Whether you are passionate about social justice, environmental stewardship, or helping the underserved, there is a place for you to contribute meaningfully. Check out the ACTIVITIES page of this website to see what we are doing to make Christs Mission – Our Mission.
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Come see who we are.

Come see what we have to offer.

Come see how God might be moving in your life again.
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Want to Explore More?

Our Sharing in Community of Christ eBook offers a clear, accessible look at our Identity, Mission, Message and Beliefs.

​You can download it anonymously and free from the home page of this website.

If you’re curious, searching, or simply wondering whether your faith still has room to grow — this might be a great place to start. Your spiritual roots matter. Your story matters. And you might just find that your story still fits here.

We also invite you to read our September 2026 blog post by Elder Jim Fairchild “Reasons for Not Attending Church: Why Some Stay Away Why You Might Come Back"