The Community of Gods Delight

Actively Worked Against

The Sword of the Spirit

I do not recall the conversation I had with Chris Cavnar in 1992, but it appears that he was sympathetic to our situation in Steubenville and towards those injured by the hybrid theology of the Sword of the Spirit. The relationship that these two communities had with the Catholic Church at the time was a study in contrast. Throughout the Sword of the Spirit, Catholic prelates had become aware of the increasingly aberrant behavior and practices in Sword of the Spirit communities, and sought to intervene. Exercising their ecclesiastical right as Shepherd to their Catholic flocks, they would challenge the Sword of the Spirit leaders to recognize their authority and reform their practices. They were often met with resistance or facsimile changes designed to maintain the power of those who governed these communities. The results were often split communities and adversarial relationships, stoked by leaders of the Communities who exercised a system of pastoral care over their members that left members firmly in the grasp of the Sword of the Spirit. But the Community of Gods Delight (COGD) apparently knew from the beginning of the Sword of the Spirit that there were going to be problems. They dodged membership in the Community of Communities (proposed in the late 70s) that would have unified the Sword of the Spirit, People of Praise and the International Brotherhood of Communites (IBOC). While the Sword of the Spirit struggled against the authority of the Catholic Church in the late 80s and early 90s, COGD forged a closer relationship with Church leaders. In late 1990 they were granted recognition by the Pontifical Council of the Laity as a member in the Catholic Fraternity of Charismatic Covenant Communities. As a former member of the Sword of the Spirit, I wish COGD had been a bit more vocal about their misgivings at the point they separated from the Sword of the Spirit. Adrian Reimers had done so when departing People of Praise, and laid the groundwork for exposing the problems of these communities by doing so. Every little bit of information would have been helpful at the time. Getting people information by which they can explore the history of these groups and their present relationships with these communities has always been my goal. After all, entering into a Covenant with these communities is a serious matter. One should have as much information as is available before they do so.

John Flaherty Grand Island, NE March 30, 2012 johnandtimmy@hotmail.com

THE CATHOLIC CHARISMATIC SERVICES OF DALLAS, TEXAS, INC.

4500 West Davis - Keating Hall Dallas, Texas 75211

MAILING ADDRESS:

May 26, 1992 John P. Flaherty, MA 1015 North Sheridan Avenue Grand Island, NE 68803 Dear John,

p.o.

Box 225008

Dallas, Texas 75222 (214) 333-2337

Greetings in the Name of our Lord, Jesus Christ! After our conversation, I was deeply grieved that you had been hurt so much by the Steubenville community and the Sword of the Spirit. As I said in our conversation, we had declined to join Steve Clark's Community of Communities years ago, and have actively worked against the Sword of the Spirit in many areas of the country. In talking with Bobbie Cavnar, my father and the head of the Christian Community of God's Delight here in Dallas, he expressed similar disdain for the Sword of the Spirit. He said that if he allowed it, he could easily spend several hours daily counseling with people around the world who want to discuss similar situations that still exist, but he cannot give that kind of time. He did give me the enclosed copies of the Decree recognizing the "Catholic Fraternity of Charismatic Covenant Communities and Fellowships." I am also enclosing copies of our Covenant, Underway, and Associate Commitments. These are my copies from our 10th anniversary celebration. If they have been revised, as I expect they have, I do not have copies of the current revisions. I am sure that you will find some objectionable statements in the Commitments, since the original covenant was written in 1973, using the Word of God Covenant as a model. It is so sad that an opportunity to move with the Spirit of God that was so strong at the time, has been subverted into something destructive. The group of Coordinators was originally selected by acclamation from the entire body of members. Changes in the Coordinators have taken place by votes within the body of Coordinators. Besides my father, there are two of the original twelve coordinators still serving. The number of coordinators varies with needs, and there is a large group (25-40) of 'associate coordinators.' I hope that all this will answer your questions. If we can be of help to you, please let us know. Yours in Christ,

Chris Cavnar Business Manager

THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY OF GOD'S DELIGHT

CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY OF GOD'S DELIGHT ASSOCIATE COMHITHENT CALL

I hav~ heard God's Word calling me into a deeper relationship with Himself and have responded in Faith by totally committing my life to his son Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior. My Faith in Christ gives me Hope f01 eternal life in union wi th God and has motivated me to Love God and my neighbor with my whole being as I strive to live the Christian life as taught by~esus, His Apostles, and the inspired teachings of His Church.
1

RESPONSE --,--In answer to this Call, I want to consecrate my life to God totally and completely on Him. I expect God to direct and me through His Holy Spirit to more fully live the life to has called me. I want to seek His face through daily sacrifice, praise, and worship. and rely empower which he prayer,

I recognize the importance of an ongoing personal study of the Word of God so that I may know and serve the Truth and be formed in accordance with God's revelation and teachings. I want to know myself and understand my situation so that I will accurately assess my capabilities, respect my limitations, and measure my progress. To acco~plish these goals, I desire to cooperate with that authority which God may exercise in my family, community, church and secular society. I recognize that Satan and his various works will oppose my progress and must be fought in Christ's name.

ASSOCIATE

COMMITI1ENT

Being familiar with the teachings and having experienced many blessings from God through the Christian Community of God's Delight, I believe that God desires me to be associated with this body. I want to respond by becomming an Associate of the Christian Community of God's Delight. Through this Associate relationship, I seek the fellowship and support of this unique body of covenant people whom God has raised up and given this name, the name by which He Himself calls them. I recognize that this relationship necessarily will be limited by my ability to participate but want to remain associated with the Community to the extent that my circumstances allow.

3/4/83

ASSOCIATE COMHITMENT - CONTINUED

2.

As I enter into this relationship as an Associate of the Christian Community of God's Delight, I do so with the understanding that this does not imply any specific commitment on either my part or on the part of the community's regular members. Although I am limited in making a further commitment at this time by the present situation in my life I would consider such a step if and when my situation changes to allow it. As an Associate, I will, cooperate with the Order of the Community as taught and implemented by its Coordinators (See Attached Su~~ary of Community Order) in as far as I am involved in or have contact with the Community.

VISION In making this commitment I recognize the Community Vision as a call from God to collectively build His Kingdom by establishing an authentic Christian culture and environment to sustain and support the lives of it's members.

MISSION I support the Community in its Mission to respond to God's Call to implement this Vision by providing both an individual and a corporate witness to those with whom it comes in contact. The Community should evangelize others to Christ through this witness, actively spread the Good News of the Gospel as the Lord leads, and support the entire people of God in their response to God's calIon a local, regional, and worldwide basis.

ACCEPTANCE As a sign of my acceptance of this relationship and as an indication of my decision to enter into it, I have signed this document and make the following verbal response. PUBLIC STATEMENT "I , wan t to live my life fully for God as an Associate of the Christian Community of God's Delight.

SIGNED

DATE

3/4/83

CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY OF GOD'S DELIGHT UNDERWAY COMMITt-1ENT

CALL I have heard God's Word calling me into a deeper relationship with Himself and have responded in Faith by totally committing my life to his son Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior. My Faith in Christ gives me Hope for eternal life in union with God and has motivated me to Love God and my neighbor with my whole being as I learn to live the Christian life as taught by ~esus, His Apostles, and the inspired teachings of :Jis Church.

RESPONSE In answer to this Call, I want to consecrate my life to God as a member of His people and rely totally and completely on Him. I expect God to direct and empower me through His Holy Spirit to more fully live the life to which He has called me. I wUl strive to seek His face through daily prayer, sacrifice, praise, and worship. I recognize the need for an ongoing personal study of the Word of God so that I may know and serve the Truth and be formed in accordance with God's revelation and teachings. I want to know myself and understand my situation so that I will accurately assess and apply my capabilities, respect my limitations, and measure my progress. To accomplish these goals, I desire to develop a submissive spirit toward all authority which God wants to exercise through those He has placed in positions of responsibility over me in my family, community, church and secular society. To protect myself in this endeavor, I recognize that Satan and his various works will oppose my progress and must be fought in Christ's name.

UNDERWAY COMMITMENT Now that I have completed the Life in the Spirit Seminars, Community Day, and Foundations I teachings and have had a chance to become aquainted with the Christian Community of God's Delight; I believe that God desires me to become a part of this body. I feel He wa n t s me to respond at this time by entering into a deeper relationship by making an Underway commitment to the Christian Community of God's Delight. As an Underway member, I will seek the additional formation I need to become a full Covenant member of this unique body of people whom God has raised up and called to fully live the Christian life united in Christ under the guidance of His Holy Spirit.

3/4/83

UNDERWAY COMMITHENT - CONTINUED

2.

As I enter into this relationship as an Underway member of the Christian Community of God's Delight, I do so with the understanding that this does not necessarily imply a life-long commitment. However, I also recognize the seriousness of this commitment and promise to faithfully pursue and make a Covenant commitment unless my life situation or other impediment becomes a valid obstacle. While I am a member of the Community, I will be faithful to the Order of the Community as taught and implemented by the Community Coordinators (See Attached Summary of Community Order).

VISION I accept the Vision of the Community as a Call from God to collectively build His Kingdom by establishing an authentic Christian cultur~ and environment to sustain and support our lives together. Serving and caring for one another in both our spiritual and temporal lives will allow us to grow closer together as an extended family in loving personal relationships with the Lord and one another. Support for the life of the Community in all its activities will make our lives together as one body possible. Through my submission to the authority and teachings of the Community, I warit to be continually formed by God as a member of this unique people while continuing my individual relationship with the historic Christian Church.

MISSION As we respond to God's Call and attempt to implement this Vision, I believe that we will collectively carry out our Mission to provide both an individual and a corporate witness by our lives to those with whom we come in contact. We should evangelize others to Christ through this witness, actively spread the Good News of the Gospel as the Lord leads us individually and collectively, and support the people of God in their response to God's calIon a local, regional, and worldwide basis.

ACCEPTANCE As a sign of my acceptance of this new relationship which God has offered me and as an indication of my decision to enter into it, I have signed this document and make the following verbal response.

PUBLIC STATEMENT

"I , want to live my life fully for God as an Underway member of the Christian Community of God's Delight."
SIGNED DATE ~~~~

3/4/83

CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY OF GOD'S DELIGHT COVENANT COMHITMENT

CALL I have heard God's Word calling me into a deeper reLat i onsh Lp with Himself and have responded in Faith by totally committing every area of my life to his son Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior. My Faith in Christ gives me Hope for eternal life in union with God and has motivated me to Love God and my neighbor with my whole being as I continue to grow in living the Christiah life as taught by Jesus, His Apostles, and inspired teachings of His Church.

RESPONSE In answer to this Call, I want to consecrate my life to God as a member of His people and rely totally and completely on Him. I have experienced God directing and empowering me through His Holy Spirit to live more fully the life to which he has called me. I will to the best of my ability seek His face through daily prayer, sacrifice, praise, and worship. I recognize the need for an ongoing personal study of the Word of God so that I may know and serve the Truth and be formed in accordance with God's revelation and teachings. I want to know myself and underst~~d my situation so as to continue to accurately assess and apply my capabilities, respect my limitations, and measure my progress. To accomplish these goals, I desire to grow in submission to all authority which God is exercising through those he has placed in positions of responsibility over me in my family, community, church and secular society. I recognize that Satan and his various works will oppose my progress and must be fought in Christ's name. COVENANT COMMITMENT Having completed my formation as an Underway member of the Christian Community of God's Delight, faithfully participated in the life of the Community, accepted the authority of the Coordinators over the Community, and consistently lived according to biblical and Christian teachings; I believe that God is calling me at this time to take the next step and make a Covenant commitment to God and the Christian Community of God's Delight. I feel a deep spiritual bond with the Community and its members and am willing to join myself to them as a people whom God has called to fully live the Christian life united in Christ under the guidance of His Holy Spirit.

3/4/83

COIlENANT COHHITMENT - CONTINUED

2.

As I enter into this full relationship as a Covenant member of the Christian Community of God's Delight, I do so with the underst.anding that, although I intend this to be a permanent commitmen t, it will not be binding if my life situation or other impediment becomes a valid obs tac Le , I will not wi thdraw from this commitment, however I without prayerful discernment with the Coordinator who is responsible for me in the Community. As long as I am a member of the Community I will be faithful to the Order of the Community as taught and implemented by the Community Coordinators (See Attached Summary of Community Order).
I

VISION In making this Covenant I fully acknowledge the Vision of the Community as a Call from God to collectively build His Kingdom by establishing an authentic Christian culture and environment to sustain and support our lives together. Serving and caring for one another in both our spiritual and temporal lives has allowed us to grow closer together as an extended family in loving pel'sonal relationships with the Lord and one another. My support for the life of the Community in all its activities has become a priorlty in my life and makes our lives together as one body possible. Through my continued submission to the authority and teachings of the Community, I want God to continue my formation as a member of this unique people. I plan to continue my relationship with the historic Christian Church in a way that will not limit my faithfulness to this Covenant. HISS ION As we continue to respond to God's Call and implement this Vision, I believe that we will collectively carry out our Mission to provide both an individual and a corporate witness by our lives to those with whom we come in contact. We should evangelize others to Christ through this witness, actively spread the Good News of the Gospel as the Lord leads us individually and collectively, and support the people of God in their response to God's call on a local, regional, and worldwide basis. ACCEPTANCE As a sign of my acceptance of this covenant relationship' which God has offered me and as an indication of my decision to enter into it, I have signed this document and make the following verbal response.

PUBLIC STATEMENT "I , want to live my life fully for God as a Covenant member of the Christian Community of God's Delight." SIGNED DATE. _
3/lJ/83

CHRISTIAN COMHUNITY OF GOD'S DELIGHT SUHMARY OF 1. COMHUNITY ORDER

Basic Co~~itment We have established a relationship as brothers and sisters committing our whole lives to love the Lord and one another. We commit ourselves to be a people who witness for Jesus by living our lives in holiness as servants following Christ's example. Being A Body All of us are responsible for building up this body under the care and guidance of the Community Coordinator~. We do this by loving and supporting one another, and serving in accordance with our God given gifts, position, and areas of responsibility. Coordinators The Coordinators (Elders) serve the Community by accepting responsibility for shepherding, ruling, caring for and feeding the community members. By loving and being subject to one another, the Coordinators provide protection and example for the Community while they exercise their service of Government and Direction. Government and Direction From the nature of community

2.

3.

4.

life in the body arises the

necessity for order in every aspect of our lives. To grow

and maintain a proper working order, the body must accept the teachings and direction provided by the Coordinators as a service of love. Individual direction will be accepted subject to personal conscience and orderly appeals.

5.

Peace and Discipline Our lives are no longer private. They effect the entire body. Sin and wrongdoing cannot be accepted in any of our lives. Nor can lack of love and peace be accepted. We are responsible for and to each other and must be continually caring, loving, supporting, admonishing, and sharing with .one another subject always to the constraints of Love. Unity and Disagreement Our unity in the Spirit must unite our whole lives in loving one another as the Father and Son love one another. This requires that we seek to be one in thought, knowledge, attitude, pattern, truth, and commitment by continually submitting our individuality and desir-es to the common good. Patterns for Life .The patterns of our life in common together must be supported by a wide range of activities and services. Men and women's groups, community and district gatherings, ministries, services, and even our daily lives are all important elements of our community life which must be valued and cared for by all members. 3/4/83

6.

1.

'-

PONTIFICIU}vl

CUNSI.LlUM

Vaticano,

~.<?y..~.1!11Jer .. ..9,J~?9. 3

PRO LAlC1S

The Pontifical Council for the Laity hereby declares that The Christian Community of God's Delight, whose moderator Cavnar (PO Box 225008, Dallas, Texas 75222, USA) is Mr. Bobbie

-is a member of the Catholic Fraternity of Charismatic Covenant Communities and Fellowships, recognised in Rome, November 30, 1990, as a private association of the
Christian faithful of pontifical right.

-I'l'C~
Paul Josef Cordes Vice"President

Adrossc

PQstal Posral Address

Bureaux. - Office-s

00120 CITT.\ OEL VATICANO Tcieg.: CONSllAIC VATICANO

PIAZ:lJ\ S. CALISTO, 16 ROM" 00153

PONTIFIC1UlvL

CONS lLIUl\{

Vatlcano,

.~.9.Y.~~1?~.r}Q, .~?'?'.Q

PRO LAICIS

The Pontifical Council for the Laity hereby declares that the Catholic Fraternity of Charismatic Covenant Communities and Felloships was recognised - in Rome, November 30, 1990 on the feast of Saint Andrew - as a private association of the Christian faithful of pontifical right. The following communities and fellowships are the foundation members of this Fraternity. The Christian Community of God's Delight, Dallas, Texas, USA. Bread of Life Covenant Community, Saskatoon, Canada. Bread of Life Fellowship, Sydney, Australia. City of the Lord Covenant Community, Arizona & California, USA. Emmanuel Covenant Community, Brisbane, Australia. Bethel Covenant Community, Perth, Australia. Emmanuel Community, Paris, France. Glory to God Covenant Community, Topeka, Kansas, USA. Hephzibah Covenant Community, Canberra, Australia. Hephzibah Covenant Community, Melbourne, Australia. Light of Jesus Christ Covenant Community, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. Servants of Jesus Fellowship, Christchurch, New Zealand. Servants of Yahweh Covenant Community, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

During the inaugural meeting of the Fraternity held at Villa Cavalletti near Rome, the following were chosen to form the Executive; Office bearers; President Brian Smith (Oceania) Vice-president: Bobbie Cavnar (North America) Secretary: Dan Pope (IBOC) Treasurer: Kevin Horgan (Oceania) Other members; Herve-Marie Catta (Europe) James R. Jones (North America) Joseph Chee (South East Asia) Benedict Lye (South East Asia) Fr. Denis Phaneuf (IBOC).

-r

'7' Ct'-r~

Paul Josef Cordes .Vice-President

Adreue

P05tole

Po.tol A~dreS$

Bureaux.

Offices

00110 CITTA DEL VATICANO

Tel.g.: CONS1LAIC VATICANO

PIAZZA S. CI<LlSTO, 1~ !'.OMA 00153

PONTIFICIUM

CONS ILIUM PRO LAICIS

1585/90/S-61/B-50

D E C R E E

The communities of the Catholic Fraternity of Charismatic covenant communities and Fellowships, motivated by the desire both to assure greater dialogue and collaboration among themselves and to deepen their communion with the Successor of Peter as an essential element of their Catholic identity, have requested the Pontifical Council for the Laity that they be recognized as a private association of the Christian faithful. After careful examination of the statutes and having heard the views of the Ordinaries of the dioceses in which the communities are found, the Pontifical council for the laity, considering the need to consolidate and promote the Catholic expression of the charismatic movement, decrees the recognition of the Catholio Fraternity of Charismatic Covenant communities and Fellowships as a private association of the Christian faithful, of pontifical right and endowed with juridic personality, in accordance with the norms of canons 298-300, 304-311 and 321-329, and approves the statutes ad experimentum for a period of five years. It is the hope of the Pontifical council for the Laity that such recognition may increase the spiritual fruits of the charismatic movement, which, in the period following the Second vatican council, has undoubtedly contributed, to a fuller awareness and acceptance, at all levels in the Church, of the presence and action of the Holy Spirit. This same Pontifical council encourages all members of the communities belonging to the Catholic Fraternity of Charismatic Covenant Communities and Fellowships to commit themselves to giving renewed vigor to the Catholic expression of the renewal in the Spirit. Moreover, the Council expresses its great hope that the recognition of this Catholic Fraternity will intensify the apostolic activities and the response of its member communities to the appeal of the Holy Father for a new evangelization of the world on the threshold of the third millennium. Given in Rome, November
30, 1990,

feast of saint Andrew

the Apostle.

-f!~

/. C~
Eduardo F. Card. President Pironio

Paul J. Cordes Vice-President