| a ministry of southwest cba |
September 2012 |
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ministry of SWCC
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Pastoral Search
Remember to keep our churches that are searching for new pastors in your prayers. Click on a link below to see their website or to get an email for more information.
Bethany Baptist, Boulder City, NV- Associate for young families and music
Calvary Baptist, Tempe
FBC Arivaca
FBC Benson, Youth
Associate
Grace Community
Church, Salome
FBC Mammoth
Santa Rita Community Church, Vail,p/t Youth position
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A Great Adventure
by Rev. Steve Engram, SWCC Regional Executive
 I have to admit that writing this first Connection Magazine article is a bit how I felt the first Sunday I stood in the pulpit having become, for the first time, a Senior Pastor. I remember the excitement, the anticipation of great days ahead, but also the feeling that they were all expecting something of me that, at that moment, I wasn't sure I had to give. It was for me a very humbling experience.
I now am humbled again to take on a role of leadership within our association with such a great history, filled with wonderful people and churches. I have been a part of the Southwest Church Connection for over 17 years and have been involved in many different capacities. But I have never been as excited about the future of our association as I have become over the past few years. For me, I think it all started with the adoption of our refined mission statement:
"Southwest Church Connection is a network of churches, empowered by the Lord and mobilized by passionate spiritual leaders, reaching the Southwest with the Gospel through healthy, reproducing congregations."
And then there was the adoption of our values statement, 6 things that I am passionate about:
Bible-centered . . . Gospel-focused . . .
Mission-driven . . . Grace-infused . . .
Relationally-committed . . . Culturally-inclusive
I have also watched a new wind of partnership and kingdom-thinking sweep through our association. There are churches helping churches, pastors reaching out to other pastors in very significant ways. Instead of jealousy, there is a desire to learn from one another and to share what has been learned to help the whole body of Christ. That is what excites me so much about our future! There is a true grassroots association built on partnership that is for the glory of God and the furtherance of the gospel that is springing up and is overcoming so many barriers that were there in the past. The Lord is opening new doors of ministry for our existing churches and giving unique effectiveness. He's even bringing new churches into our association who want to join us in what God is doing!
But in all the excitement and enthusiasm for the future I am still feeling very humbled - maybe like Joshua must have felt when Moses tapped him on the shoulder. God has uniquely used Bert Downs to guide us into this new era. It has been the Lord's work, but clearly God's man to lead us has been at the helm. I am so thankful that he continues to partner with us and to serve our association and me as a coach and mentor. Bert will continue to be an asset to us along with the rest of the team that God has put together, which is an incredible blessing to our entire association.
I do hope that you might be able to join us for our Leadership Couples Retreat! It is October 22-24. We REALLY would love to have you be a part of it!
This is going to be a great adventure that we take together! I appreciate your prayers as we head into this exciting future!
Steve
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Moving In
by Dr. Bert Downs, SWCC Regional Coach
 Some time ago Alice and I purchased a cabin on Washington's Olympia peninsula. Over those years we've used it for vacations, extended weekend getaways, various family gatherings and the like with most visits lasting from a few days to a couple of weeks. All the while, however, we planned that one day the cabin would be our permanent home.
Well, it's now becoming that as we transition to a team concept for the future of SWCBA and the Southwest Church Connection. My role, like all the team members, is becoming focused - coach the leadership team - and part time. It's exciting by the way to see the impact focus brings as the team takes its various roles way beyond what this solo director could do.
Anyway, in shifting the cabin from a part time vacation and gathering place to a full time home we've learned something . . . moving in is way different than simply being here occasionally. Because we're now here most of the time, we see things through entirely different eyes. The projects, for instance, that could always wait until next year under the vacation motif now can't wait. Finding space for everything - never a problem when the vacation visit simply meant unpacking a suitcase - now provides a daily challenge . . . as do the never-ending decisions about what to keep and what to dispense with in order to make life work here.
It strikes me that what we're experiencing is a lot like relationships . . .
Read More |
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It may still be hot (such a relative term in Arizona!) depending on where you are, but Southwest Church Connection is thinking ahead to cooler fall temperatures and a gathering in October that will refresh you and your church leadership - body and spirit!
Our Leadership Couples' Retreat (formerly known as the pastors and wives conference) is planned for October 15th-17th in the beautiful hills of Prescott, Arizona, at our own Prescott Pines Camp. We have three terrific days of worship, learning, and relaxation planned for you and your spouse, headlined by a dynamic speaker who will draw you into the focus of our retreat experience: growing in Christ in spite of being in ministry.
If you are a part of the Ministry Staff of your church (pastors, associates, elders, deacons) this retreat is for you and your spouse. Reservations are already being accepted by the Camp, so you'll want to make yours quickly! We encourage you to be a part of this event and come together as Southwest Church Connection heads in a new and energized direction!
We look forward to our time together in October, trusting that God is preparing hearts even now for this revitalizing experience.
Download Retreat Brochure
Register Here |
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120th Annual Business Meeting
 As Connection Magazine and the weekly CONNECT have communicated since our January 2012 annual meeting, we've been making many ministry changes to increase our ministry effectiveness, connection and growth. Perhaps the most obvious of those changes has been the use of Southwest Church Connection to identify our church ministry arm. We are seeing those connections develop in many exciting ways that will be discussed at this year's Annual Business Meeting.
This year's Leadership Couples' Retreat (formerly Pastors and Wives Retreat) will also serve as our Annual Meeting for the coming ministry year. This simple change will allow us to gain approvals for budgets, boards and other ministry initiatives prior to the year in which they'll be launched.
The Retreat is scheduled for October 15 - 17 at Prescott Pines. I hope, of course, that you, your team and your spouses will be in attendance. If however you can't attend the full retreat, you are certainly encouraged to come for the Annual Business Meeting and the lunch to follow: the business meeting will be held on October 16 from 11:15 am - 1:30 pm including lunch.
In addition to the important ministry business that is always part of the ABM, we also will be asking approval for three modest constitutional changes:
- The first will add the name Southwest Church Connection to Article 1 as a name under which we'll carry on ministry in addition to Southwest Conservative Baptist Association. The corporate name would remain Arizona Baptist Convention.
- The second would be to change the title of the association's chief executive officer from Executive Director to Regional Executive wherever Executive Director appears in the constitution.
- The third item would be to change the required method of communicating any proposed amendment from Certified Mail to First Class Mail to the Association office and to the pastors of affiliated churches by at least sixty (60) days prior to the date it is to be voted on by the Association.
During 2013 the Constitution will undergo a more thorough revision, not to change our vision, values or doctrinal commitments, but to effectively streamline its operational aspects to more accurately reflect current realities and needs.
We're excited about the direction of our association's ministries . . . the connections of leaders, ministries and opportunities that are developing throughout the region. Hope we have the opportunity to share them personally with you at the Leadership Couples' Retreat and the Annual Business Meeting. If you'd like to interact with me about any of these developments, I welcome your contact at sengram@swchurchconnection.org.
Current Constitution |
The Future of Latino Ministries  by Dr. Ed Clavell, SWCC Facilitator
The future of Latino ministries in the local church and throughout the nation begins with the recognition of the numbers. Latinos are now America's largest minority group, up from 9.6 million in 1970 to 51 million in 2010. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Latino population grew by 15 million, from 2000 to 2010. Mexican-Americans led this growth accounting for two thirds of the total Latino population. Based on current trends, the Latino population is projected to be around 30 percent of the USA by the year 2050.
 The issue the Christian community must address is; how are seminaries, colleges as well as the local church preparing the future ministers to this growing demographic. Borrowing from the works of Daniel A. Rodriguez, associate professor of religion and Hispanic studies at Pepperdine University and Manuel Ortiz, associate professor of practical theology, Westminster Theological Seminary, it is time for the church to rethink Latino ministry altogether. We, the Christian community, are locked into a traditional ministry model that has proven to be a hindrance rather than a help. These systems view Latino ministries as a ministry to Spanish speakers bent on preserving the language, culture and religious practices of the home country. This is far from what the Latino community is seeking, as they look to the local church not only to advance their walk with Christ, but also to guide them through the process of converging the Latino culture with the culture of mainstream America . . .
Read More |
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Remember Those Who Served
by Rev. Steve Van Kley with Cody Walker
 The following account is written by Cody Walker, an Iraq War Veteran who attended Canyon Del Oro Baptist Church in NW Tucson before moving to CA a few years ago. Cody has maintained contact with Pastor Steve Van Kley at CDOBC and his parents are active members there. The purpose of the article is to very personally remind us all that we are surrounded by men and women who have given their all in our behalf and who now face major challenges as a result of their service to our country.
"You'll be alright son, just lay still". Hearing those words I knew I was in trouble. After all, that's what we were trained to say in boot camp if we came upon an injured solider. I remember ordering the man to "stop". I remembered looking down and thinking "I need my nose". As I lay on the hard ground, all sorts of thoughts went through my head, "my mom is going to kill me!", "why didn't I accept those college scholarships?", "am I going to die"? Mostly, I prayed.
After a few surgeries I was able to go home. I told my mom I was afraid to go to church, that I might scare the kids. I had always helped out for Vacation Bible School and really loved the kids at our church. Pastor Steve was my mentor through my tough times, before I became a Calvary Scout. I went to Christmas Eve Service - 22 days after I was injured. In spite of all the bandages, the children came running to me. I picked some up and told them not to worry - it was still Mr. Cody. To this day the memory of walking into my church has sustained me through a lot of dark days.
I was deployed to Iraq in 2004, ten days after my 18th birthday. I came to find out I was hit by a car bomb, which caused severe lacerations to my face (and my nose came off!). During this attack, I was also shot twice, with one bullet entering my cheek, taking out four of my teeth. It has been almost eight years since this event took place, yet I still have not received the dental implants I need from the military. As a 26-year-old husband and father, this issue has affected many aspects of my life, including overall health and opportunities for employment. Though I have pursued numerous avenues, this issue remains unresolved. We are no longer waiting for the government to help and are asking for assistance in getting the implants I need and, more importantly, deserve. Any help you can offer would be more than appreciated, both by me and my loved ones. Thank you."
If you want to help Cody with a financial gift from you or your church, go to www.gofundme.com and search Cody Walker to find his page.
But whether or not the Lord leads you to do that, please keep on the watch for those who, like Cody, have served and have needs. You may be the one the Lord is asking to offer a "cup of cold water."
For more information on ministering to our veterans, check out Operation Eternal Freedom's website, www.operationeternalfreedom.com.
Operation Eternal Freedom is a military focused non profit ministry located in Tucson, Arizona.
Their mission is to serve the troops, veterans, first responders and their families by linking them with churches/ministries in their local community to meet their spiritual needs. |
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Dr. Ralph Wilson Memorial Set
Fulfilling multiple callings as a husband, father, pastor, teacher and lover of God, Dr. Ralph Wilson answered his final call on August 22, 2012 and is now experiencing his heavenly home. Wilson, always a strong communicator of God's Word, served the Lord through pastoral ministries in seven states including Bethel Baptist Church in Phoenix, AZ. His ministry extended for over 50 years during which his partner in life and ministry, Gene, served along side. Gene and Ralph were married 67 years. Dr. Wilson's memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, September 8 at Bethany - A Place of New Beginnings, 763 North Sunset Ave., West Covina, CA; 626.962.8501. The following link will take you to further details regarding the life and ministry of Dr. Wilson as well as his memorial: http://www.bethanyonline.net/drwilson/ |
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Women's Retreats are Here!
by Sandra Maki, Prescott Pines Camp, SWCC
 When I look at the weather forecast, it's hard to believe that summer is already behind us and it is time to get ready for our Fall Women's Retreats. We have been busy planning for each retreat and are excited about some new activities we will be including this year. I just wanted to give you a quick overview of what you can expect this year at camp. We will be keeping some of the favorite activities from past years and introducing some great new options.
A highlight of camp every year, don't forget to get your basket ready to raffle off at the Gift Basket Jamboree. This year we will be raising money for our Heart Partners Scholarship Fund. Since the fund began in 2005 we have been able to help send 270 kids in financial need to camp to learn more about the God who loves them. Help make camp possible for every child.
New this year we will offer:
A Core & Stretch Class Saturday morning before breakfast
Canoeing at Goldwater Lake
Dance Kinect (a favorite at our Spring Mother & Daughter Retreat)
A brand new Indoor Rock Climbing Wall
Afternoon High Tea for the Midweek camp (September 11-13)
And so much more...
We will also be extending the early registration pricing to any women who would still like to sign up. We understand that these are difficult financial times for many, so we have decided to wave the late registration fee. Please let your friends know that there is space still available. Also, If you know of a woman who would greatly benefit from coming to camp, but is unable to financially, please contact Heather Trail at (928) 445-5225 or htrail@prescottpines.org to inquire about the possibility of a partial scholarship.
Camp dates: #1- Sept. 7-9 #2- Sept. 11-13 #3- Sept.14-16
Register Here |
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Church Works Corner
 Church Administration Workshop
SWCC Facilitator Dr. Ed Clavell will present a series of workshops aimed at equipping pastors, elders/deacons, lay leaders and others with the basic essentials of church administration.
Why the Administration? The Leadership in many churches and nonprofit organizations have been trained in ministry and personal leadership skills. However, many times these leaders find themselves in a struggle to effectively develop the systems and processes needed to achieve their goals. Healthy church administration is a tool that can be the guiding system in reaching ministry and organizational goals.
The Course Will Cover
- Basic Concepts of Administration
- How to Determine Mission and Purpose
- Administrative Planning
- Administrative Organization
- Administrative Direction
- Administrative Evaluation
- The Dynamics of Leadership
- Administrative Documents
The first workshop will be presented in the Spanish language and is scheduled for September 29th from 9:00am to 3:00 pm. Please contact Ed Clavell , 602-290-6401 for all the details. |
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