|
|
|
|
 |
|
Taking the Gospel to Our World
by Rev. Steve Engram, SWCC Regional Executive 
Why does the church exist - what is its purpose? This is such an important question to correctly answer for all of us involved in the local church. To sum it up the way Jesus did would be: "make disciples". "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations" was Jesus command in Matthew 28:19. If we fail at this we fail at everything as a church. And what is the first step in that process of making disciples? It is to share the gospel so that people might come to put their faith in Jesus as their Savior. Without the first part, evangelism where people come to believe, there will never be any disciple making that takes place. The long road of discipleship starts with coming to faith in Jesus and that is why it is so important that as churches we are GOSPEL FOCUSED. Growing up, my dad (who was a long-term pastor) always said that evangelism was the life blood of a church and the longer I am involved in church ministry the more I am convinced that he was right. Churches that are focused on sharing the gospel, reaching their Oikos and living the gospel in their world are usually alive with excitement and growth, producing great committed followers of Jesus. Churches that have lost that focus most often are unhealthy and in decline.
After 18 years of being the senior pastor I can confess that staying gospel focused as a church is not easy. It is one of those areas where the enemy attacks and tries to turn us to the left and the right to get our eyes on something else. It is also difficult because our culture is changing around us and how we "did it" before sometimes doesn't work anymore and it takes work and energy to find the ways in which we need to change in order to be effective today.
So what does it mean and what does it look like to be a gospel focused church? That is what we would like to explore in this edition of Connection Magazine. Our hope is you will glean ideas about how to be more effective in reaching your community with the gospel. I trust it will encourage you and your fellowship to continue to be as effective as possible in taking the gospel to your world.
Steve |
|
A Gospel Group Hug
 When Prescott Pines Camp envisions what being gospel focused means, we recall a story in the dining hall. It is a story that points us back to a table gathering long ago. Around that table, Christ broke bread and poured out wine, and we were all invited in. Paul writes in Galatians, "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." The gospel is good news for all people. All people...
All in the same weekend this past fall we welcomed a men's group from a predominately African American church, a family reunion (all Caucasians), and a Latina women's group and family camp. Ruth was the host since she speaks Spanish. A host's role includes, but is not limited to, welcoming our guests and making them feel at home, helping to manage schedules and making overall logistics run smoothly. Doling out "Good afternoons" and smiles at the lunch line one day, Ruth was approached by one of the men. Big, burly and black, he stood in stark contrast to Ruth's short stature. "May I ask you a question?" he glared with a glimmer in his eye. Ruth nodded her head with little hesitation, "Of course!"
He bent down and put his left arm around Ruth's shoulders and with the other pointed as he gestured across the dining hall, "Can you tell me why the people who look like me are sitting over there, and all the people who look like you are sitting over here and all the people who look like them are sitting over there?" Ruth was aghast. It was true. Prescott Pines had officially - unintentionally - segregated the people. Typically, when hosting a few different groups, we set up the dining hall in a way so that those groups can sit together in their own space. It just so happened that the groups this particular weekend were distinguished by their ethnicity. "May I use that microphone, dear?" he asked Ruth. Almost in a trance, in one of those slow motion moments, Ruth handed over the mic. "What have I done, what I have done, what have I done?" she questioned herself as she let go of her grip on the microphone, the symbol of control... To continue the story click for the camp blog.
|
|
|
Quick Links
| |
|
|
Invest
in the Vision
|
|
Churches Looking
for Pastors
Please 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 | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pastors Share Ideas and Prayer Concerns in Connection Groups
by Rev.Steve Doerksen, SWCC Connection Groups & Church Planting Consultant
Our Association is represented by large and small, rural, urban, suburban, traditional, contemporary, English speaking, Spanish speaking, Farsi speaking, younger and older congregations. Yet, in spite of the amazing diversity of church "flavors" in our association we're all committed to sharing the Gospel as effectively as possible in our respective communities.
In our Pastor Connection Groups that are meeting monthly throughout the southwest, we discuss many things of relevance to us all. Our discussions during the Christmas season focused on how to leverage the season as an opportunity to share the Gospel. There was a consensus among us that the unchurched people all around us are more spiritually open this time of year than at any other time. Additionally, when the unchurched visit, they aren't looking for something flashy but rather a meaningful and even contemplative and traditional service.
On a practical note, First Baptist Church of Benson found an easy method for getting the word out about their Christmas program and Christmas services. They have found that the Post Office will send out their mailer to their whole community (more than 5,000 homes) without the hassle of the church having to do the old bulk rate system that requires labeling and sorting. AB Blair, the pastor of this church has a heart for leading his church to share the Gospel with as many as possible. He also leads our Southeastern AZ Connection Group.
Will you pray with me for First Baptist Church of Benson and for Pastor Blair as he leads his church and his region? Also we need to pray for him as he battles cancer.
Click Here for information on a Connection Group near you |
|
Native Americans and the Gospel
By Clint Ungashick
Missions Door Missionary - Maricopa, AZ
How do we reach Native Americans in the Southwest with the gospel, when their cultures and worldviews are so different from the dominant American culture? What is the essence of the gospel that must be communicated? The answer is quite complex, so I am only going to focus on one aspect. Native Americans have passed their history and values on through story telling for hundreds of years. Most, if not all, tribal cultures have a creation story and a flood story. In order to be effective, believers must share the stories of the Bible. Starting at the beginning builds the necessary foundation.
 Several years ago I taught Genesis to reservation Navajo youth. Young people are always interested in the end times and hell. I was surprised at how much interest they took in the stories from the book of beginnings. They were comparing them to their stories of the First Man and the First Woman. Through God's creative acts, we learn the wondrous attributes and character of God.
The youth learned that death, sickness, and suffering were an immediate result of the first man and woman's disobedience and sin against God: Adam and Eve ate from the one tree that God forbade and warned that eating from it would bring death. This demonstrates God's perfect holiness against sin. Anyone who thinks they are not bad enough for God to punish them in hell needs to understand the theology of Genesis. If one sin brought God's judgment, how can we think any "good" behavior would not also warrant judgment? Rev. 20:14-15 explains what death is: the "lake of fire ... is the second death."
Continue Reading |
|
Pastor John Todor, a Servant Leader
by Dr. Dwight Hunt, SWCC Church Health and Placement Consultant
 John Todor was pursuing a career in psychology until God interrupted this native of Romania and said (not with an audible voice) I want you in ministry. Later after marrying Mythyl who was from the Philippines and after completing his seminary training in Romania, it was very clear to him that God would provide a church for him to pastor fairly quickly. And He did! The Lord led John and Mythyl to First Baptist Church of Quartzsite so that John could be their Pastor. He also gave him a very fruitful seven years of ministry. Now God is calling John and his family (his wife and three children) to another
 | |
The Todor family |
pastoral ministry in Minnesota. Although the congregation is saddened to lose John and his family, they know that this too is the will of God. John will start his new ministry the first of February.
He attributes the success of his ministry in Quartzsite to God being glorified in the life of the church and people working as a team and not for their own agendas. About seventy percent of this congregation in Quartzsite are winter residents and are very much team players as they are involved in the leadership of the church.
John lists four secrets to his ministry at First Baptist Church.
- A total submission to God and the preaching of His Word
- A fervency in worship both corporately and individually
- A burning desire to share Christ in creative ways
- Building relationships
On the last point, John feels a pastor must be genuine, a relationship builder, and allow people to see his heart and passion. The people at First Baptist have witnessed first hand these qualities in John's life as he has empowered, mentored, taught, and counseled them.
Paul's words in 1Thessalonians 2:8 describe the ministry of Pastor John Todor when Paul says, "Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us."
John and his family have been blessed by this body of believers in the Quartzsite church who have become very dear to them. He is also very appreciative to the Southwest Church Connection for the help they have given over the past few years.
We will miss John and Mythyl, but we know that God is going to use them in a mighty way in their new ministry. |
|
Pioneer "CB" Pastor's Inspiring Life, Times
Heritage Series #7 - Rev. Wesley Darby
At the age of 18 with just one semester of training at Biola, Wes Darby and his wife Donna were launched into ministry at the urging of Pastor RS Beal, Jr. of FBC Flagstaff. There on the edge of town the work was pure mission. And it was in his three years there that the focus of Darby's ministry for the rest of his life took shape: build the youth and "aim to build a church for the future . . . not one for the past."
And build he did, first at First Baptist Church in Clifton, AZ and then for many years at West High Baptist Church in Phoenix. In both places, his focus on youth and on the future was always evident. One of the long-lasting results of that faithful focus was a remarkable number of youth who trained and entered full time ministry. Current examples are Dr. A B Blair (from Clifton) who after many decades of pastoral ministry is currently serving First Baptist Church in Benson, and Dr. Dan Eymann (from West High) who has served pastorates in Gallup NM, Kent WA and now serves North Mountain Church in Phoenix. Another example of that emphasis is Wes' strategic role in starting Southwestern College, now known as Arizona Christian University.
Perhaps the best picture of Pastor Darby's impact is seen in his home office. There he has a bulletin board covered with the pictures of those who have been part of his ministry over the years, have gone on into ministry themselves and for whom Wes and Donna, his wife and ministry partner of over 63 years, pray regularly. He speaks of it as their "living prayer list." That list reflects a richness of life, fullness of impact and depth of relationship that is rare no matter the time. The secret to such fullness of ministry life? Wes says it's simple: "Just love your people . . . no griping or complaining . . . be grateful they are putting up with you and stand with them no matter what." And as you'll see in the video, he's still standing with them.
 | | SWCC Heritage Series - Rev. Wesley Darby |
|
|
How Do We Report Gifts Provided to Volunteers?
What to know about giving holiday and thank-you gifts.
by Richard R. Hammar
This article originally appeared in the December issue of Church Treasurer Alert, 2007
Q. Our church provides gifts to several employees and volunteers each year at Christmas. Staff members receive either a check or a gift certificate to a local grocery or department store. Key volunteers receive either a turkey, fruit basket, or gift certificate to a local grocery or department store. The amount of these gifts varies depending on the position, but the range is $20 to $250. Are these gifts taxable to the recipients? Should we add the value of the gifts to employees' W-2 forms? How do we report the gifts the church provides to volunteers?
A. Taxable income does not include any "de minimis fringe benefit." Section 132(e)(1) of the tax code defines such a benefit as "any property or service the value of which is so small as to make accounting for it unreasonable or administratively impracticable." Cash can never be a de minimis fringe benefit since it is not "unreasonable or administratively impracticable" to account for its value. The same conclusion applies to "cash equivalents," such as gift coupons and certificates, even though the property acquired with a coupon or certificate would have been a nontaxable de minimis fringe benefit had it been provided by the employer.
The income tax regulations provide several examples of de minimis fringe benefits. They include. . .
Continue Reading |
|
The Remedy -One Day Conferences
by Mrs. Carol Tetzlaff, SWCC Event Coordinator
 A toothache can be one of the worst types of pain. Since I am not a fan of the dentist I do all I can to avoid sitting in his chair. So, when I have a toothache a major dilemma occurs. First, I try to ignore the ache, which typically works for a while as the pain comes and goes. Then, when I can bear it no longer I go the medicine cabinet to find some type of pain killer we have to take the ache away. All is well until the drug runs out and I am left with only one solution... the dentist chair. After 60 minutes the tooth is fixed and the pain is gone.
Why don't I just go to the dentist at the first tinge of pain? I guess I am just stubborn and either feel I can take care of it on my own or don't want to commit to the time in the chair.
I think many of our "aches" in life are handled this way from our personal daily issues to the ones we face in our church. Too often pastors and leaders of the church ignore the issues that arise hoping, and sometimes even praying, that they just go away. When it is evident the issue is still there, a band-aid solution is made which covers it up for awhile but doesn't really deal with the problem at hand. Only when the issues are dealt with using Biblical counsel and guidelines will they ever go away.
But where can churches find such counsel or even put a process in place so the issues don't have a chance to be a reality? There are many different sources pastors and leaders in the church can find. There are books, blogs, and pod-casts for everything imaginable, but those items don't offer the personal interaction that many issues really need. That's why SWCC is bringing "The Remedy - prescriptions for a healthy church" to a region near you.
"The Remedy" is a one day conference designed just for the churches in your area.  Many of the pastors and leaders in your region have already completed a survey that lists the needs in your area. These needs include topics like:
Developing leaders within the church
Developing a culture of prayer
Using websites and social media
Creating effective worship gatherings
and many more.
So, mark your calendar and bring your staff, leadership, and ministry workers to the conference in your area. Resources will be sent your churches to help you promote these events.
Tucson, March 9th
Flagstaff, April 6th
Yuma, April 13th
Tempe, April 27th
Find the prescription to assist your church to be healthy while interacting with those in our association that will continue to support and assist you through the process.
The result - healthy reproducing churches that are making God's glory known in their congregations and communities.
|
|
The Ignite Children's Ministry Conference
Saturday, January 26, 2013.
Ignite -Tucson Children's Ministry Conference is an inter-denominational conference with over 60 churches/organizations participating including SWCC, El Camino Baptist and Prescott Pines Camp. It has had as many as 500 attendees! Every year participants have given great evaluations in terms of value - both in its affordability and its relevance to their serving in the Kingdom. Click here www.Ignite-Tucson.com for all the information and registration.
..........................................................
Church Works Workshops
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.
Our next workshop is scheduled for:
February 4, 2013 - at Grace Baptist Church, Chino Valley
9:00 am - 3:00 pm - Cost: $75.00
For more info, contact Ed Clavell, eclavell@swchurchconnection.org
Register Here
.........................................................
Events for Senior Pastors
SWCC and our Connection Groups are offering "All Access" events for Senior Pastors. It's a chance for you and your wife to hang out with the staff from another church and get a behind the scenes look at how they do their weekend services. You will leave with creative ideas and free resources to take back with you. As a sponsor of this event the Southwest Church Connection is able to offer our association pastors this opportunity for half price ($49) and Connection Group leaders go free.
Our next All Access event is scheduled for:
Saturday and Sunday, February 9-10, 2013
New Life Bible Fellowship, Tucson
For more info, contact Steve Doerksen... 602-820-0700, sdoerksen@swchurchconnection.org.
Register Here
....................................................
47th Annual Men's Round-Up at Prescott Pines
April 19-21, 2013
Speaker: Dr. Bert Downs
Music: Palmcroft All Stars
Get together a group from you church, it will be a great time for all the guys. Tremendous life lessons, team tournaments, great food, fun, and fellowship!
Register Here |
|
|
