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Culturally Inclusive
by Rev. Steve Engram, SWCC Regional Executive
This month we are taking a look at our sixth core value, being Culturally Inclusive. In our world today this is a big thing. Everyone desires for us to be a country were race, cultural heritage, gender and economic situation have no bearing on the way people are accepted and treated. Our founding fathers even started with the Biblical idea that "all men are created equal". Sadly, I think we all sense that our country and culture is more divided today along those lines than it was in our youth. And even more sadly the church has been more of the problem than the solution in our culture. It is said that the most divided hour in our nation each week is at 11am on Sunday morning when we tend to worship as homogenous groups instead of in the plurality of the body of Christ (Jew and Gentile, bond and free together).
The first question I believe that we have to wrestle with in honesty is do we resemble the culture, the neighborhood around our church? The question is not did we resemble it in the past, but do we today? Neighborhoods can often change faster than churches do. What about the leadership within the church? Does it reflect the surrounding culture? We raised the issue of being culturally inclusive by mentioning race, cultural heritage, gender and economic situation, but what about the issues of single parent households? Most of our churches tend to be strong, two parent families, but in many of our neighborhoods there is a growing, large group of single parent homes. Are we reaching them?
The second question is what do we do to be culturally inclusive? I know from firsthand experience this is harder than it appears. When I began as pastor of my church we were located in a neighborhood that culturally was changing quite a bit from what it had been. Honestly, I found the task of engaging that culture and making a significant impact there one of the most frustrating things I have ever faced in ministry. It appeared to me that pretty much everything we tried failed. So what do we do? How do we become more culturally inclusive as a church? I wish there was a simple answer or a special secret that we could share, but I do not know of one. I know to be committed to this value is a challenge, just like the other 5 values that we hold. I think it starts with loving people the way Jesus does, asking Him to give us His heart of and vision for the people across the street. We must constantly be seeking the Lord, working hard and searching for creative ways to reach our neighbors and neighborhoods with the gospel of Jesus Christ. I trust that these articles will be of encouragement to you as you seek to be culturally inclusive!
Steve
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Quick Links
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Invest
in the Vision
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Churches Looking
for Pastors
Click on a link below to see their website or to get an email for more information.
FBC Arivaca
FBC Mammoth
Mission Park Baptist, Tucson - part time worship leader
Summit Ridge Church, NV - associate pastor/worship
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Dr. Dwight Hunt, SWCC Church Health and Placement Consultant
"Older" Discovering New Ministry with "Younger"
 Dave and Suzy Bancroft came to Tanque Verde Baptist Church in Tucson about three years ago. He told me that in the beginning there were some Sundays where he wondered if anybody was going to show up at the church. A few people left, which was probably a blessing in disguise. But now the church is experiencing some growth. And Dave, Suzy, along with an older congregation have been asking God for His direction and wisdom as this "The Little Stone Church in the Desert," as it's sometimes called, plans and prepares for the future.
 | | Dave & Suzy Bancroft |
Dave senses, and I agree, that God is answering that prayer. Not only is the church increasing in younger attendees and members, but in Dave's words, "God has put a new junior high school on our campus." That's correct! A newly built Junior High shares the church's parking lot during the week. The school has about 350 students to whom Dave has felt that the Lord is calling him and the church to serve.
Last year under his leadership some of the congregation began an after-school release time club that they called REFRESH. The church offered sports, crafts, music, Bible talk and friendship. The attendance varied from 10-20 junior highers each Wednesday. Their parents were encouraged and have formed a significant link with the church.
What about this fall? . . .
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 Sometimes Magic Happens!
At camp we often have more than one group of guests here at the same time. Usually the groups are scheduled opposite from each other and use different areas of camp. But the one place they share is the dining hall. Most of the time groups go about their own business and have little contact with one another. But then once in awhile we have groups that come together in a different way and magic happens.
A few weeks ago we had two very different groups staying at camp. The first was an ROTC group with a determined military focus. The other was the Phoenix Boys Choir, a group of young boys in 4th through 6th grade. The ROTC traditionally posts the colors on the flagpole each day. The Boys Choir traditionally sings patriotic songs before each meal at the flag pole. The first day each group completed their daily tradition separately. After breakfast, the two group leaders talked and when they realized the need for each other they were quick to combine their expertise. . .
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I Have A Dream
At nighttime when I'm tucking in my four boys I often pray that they have "good dreams." As their father I have "good dreams" too...for each of them and their futures. Martin Luther King Jr. had four children and also had a dream for them,
"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."
50 years ago on August 28th Dr. King gave his infamous "I Have a Dream" Speech that took him less than 17 minutes to deliver. Watching it, I'm moved by its emotion, impacted by it's content, and inspired by its vision.
God gave Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David, Nehemiah and Mary (among others,) visions of the future that seemed unrealistic and even foolish. Fortunately each of these people acted in faith to accomplish their dreams and fortunately for America, many people have been mobilized by the dream of Dr. King. . .
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Dr. Ed Clavell, SWCC Regional Facilitator
 Are Pastors Employees or Independent Contractors?
A fundamental question arises when a church hires, retains or selects a new Pastor or new person to perform a job for the church; is the person an employee or independent contractor? Serious tax and other financial consequences may result if a person is misclassified. Most persons retained to do the day-to-day work of any organization, including a church, are considered employees. The Internal Revenue Service, as well as the Courts, have determined that most clergy at the local church are to be classified as employees for income tax purposes, and are not self employed.
The IRS may view independent contractor arrangements with suspicion and scrutiny, because of previous abuses and an underlying viewpoint that persons who are working for an organization should be considered employees for income tax purposes. Therefore, it is crucial a church carefully reviews the hiring and contracting classification process.
20 Factor IRS Test
The IRS uses a 20-factor test to determine whether a person is an employee. In connection with this test, the IRS has stated the following: . . .
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How Do You "Win in Ministry?"
Mrs. Carol Tetzlaff, SWCC Event Coordinator
 How do you "win in ministry?" At the SWCC Leadership Conference this August Hal Seed brought us three practical solutions:
PRACTICE the Father's love He has so richly given you
PREPARE for ministry God has given to you
PRAY for the outcome God desire
Each week as the people who are serving in the ministries of the local church attend the worship service they are longing for their "spiritual tank" to be filled. As pastors and leaders within the church, it is our responsibility to fill their tanks with love and a spirit-filled word that will minister to their lives. We do this through practicing the Father's love. As this life-changing love is demonstrated in our own lives it begins to impact those around us. It is through this encouragement that they can continue to serve the body and pour their love into the "tanks" of others.
In the busyness of church-life we sometimes fall short in the area of preparing those who are doing the work within the local church. We often find those in front-lines doing ministry without much training as we fill the holes needed each week. We give love and encouragement, but when it comes to the question of "how to be effective in ministry?" we hope it just comes naturally. This is why the element of preparing for ministry is so important. If you really want to "Win in Ministry" you must give those serving the training and tools to be successful.
The most important element in any ministry is prayer. We must continually pray for the outcome that God desires. As we seek the heart of heart and ask Him to show us His vision for the local church, He will make that known. Praying for God's direction as a pastor, staff, and body will unify the goals that are vital to "win in ministry."
The SWCC team desires to assist the local church to prepare for ministry. This is done through our regional conferences. The Remedy ~ Prescriptions for Winning in Ministry conference is designed to train, encourage, and connect those who are doing the ministry with others  who have done the ministry and found great success. Each conference is specifically designed for your region by the local pastors as they determine the needs in your area.
We hope you will be a part of The Remedy this 2013-2014 season as we bring conferences to the follow regions:
Yuma - November 2nd
Goodyear - November 16th
Tucson - February 8th
Mesa - February 22nd
You can find more details online or contact Carol Tetzlaff, SWCC Events Coordinator, at ctetzlaff@swchurchconnection.org.
Register Here
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