In addition to Friday's endorsement of a two-state system for Israel and Palestine as an avenue to Middle East peace, the Community of Christ delegation also passed – before the end of the 2016 World Conference – resolutions condemning predatory lending and supporting indigenous peoples.

The first resolution condemns the lending practices of many payday and title loan businesses as “immoral,” in that they lure vulnerable people into debt traps and oftentimes poverty through short-term, high-interest loans, sometimes at triple-digit interest rates.

The resolution also calls for Community of Christ to partner with other faith groups and community organizations to advocate for reform of the payday and title loan business, as well as working with those groups and financial institutions to create new, affordable options and help people effectively manage finances.

In addition, the church encouraged success stories to be shared through the its newsletter and asked church leadership to use those success stories to develop a model that could be replicated worldwide.

Shortly before the World Conference, Kansas City witnessed a large rally – one unaffiliated with the conference – against predatory lending practices.

The second resolution renounced the “Doctrine of Discovery” – which originated from European monarchs in the late 15th century and also influenced United States imperialism to justify taking over lands from native dwellers – and urged governments, where appropriate, “to ensure their laws and practices comply with international conventions, and work with ecumenical groups.”

The resolution noted that some of the practices sanctioned by the so-called doctrine, including genocide and seizing assets, still occur today. Such practices that promote superiority based on national origin or racial, religious, ethnic or cultural differences are “racist, scientifically fast, legally invalid, morally condemnable and socially unjust.” It called for the church to participate in ecumenical and interfaith advocacy in various countries and consult with representatives of indigenous groups regarding advocacy actions.