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Mission-Driven. Reality is every church IS mission-driven. Can I say that again? Every church IS mission-driven. The sad part of that truth is that in many churches the mission is not what it should be and/or one person's "mission" is different than another person's "mission", in the same church. There are some churches where the mission is to keep people happy, others where the mission is to simply keep the doors open. For other churches it is the mission to preserve something that once was really special, but isn't anymore. Some have the mission of righting social injustices and/or caring for the disadvantaged and for others it is to see as many people as possible make a "decision" for Jesus. For some the mission is to be the biggest church in town, for others it is to give the most to foreign missionaries. This list could go on and on. These churches may never verbally say or even think that these things are their mission, but by their actions it is clear. Every church is mission-driven, it is just that for some the mission has changed over time and is now something that it shouldn't be.
The "secret" here is getting on the right mission. So let's start with the basics: what was the church called to do? I believe the simplest answer to that is "make disciples" (Matthew 28:19). In my mind that would include evangelism, discipling and training for service - I think those were the three basic things Jesus did with His disciples. That's the church's mission in a nutshell.
So honestly, is making disciples the mission of our church? Not just what we would say the mission is or know the mission should be, but is it truly the focus, the lightning rod of our ministry? Is everything evaluated by whether it is producing disciples, moving the church forward in one of those three ways, and if not, then we won't do it anymore? Are church members reaching out to their Oikos and sharing the gospel? Are people regularly getting saved? Baptized? Developed as Jesus followers? Equipped to serve? Or has the mission changed to something else for the majority in your church?
If our church is off mission are we willing to pay the price to get it back to being a "making disciples", mission-driven church?" This is an important question for church leaders to answer. Are we willing to take the lumps of evaluating and possibly stopping ministries that have taken on a life of their own? Are we willing to rethink how we are doing church to make sure it aligns with our mission? Are we willing for people to become uncomfortable with changes that need to be made in order to follow our mission? Are we willing to look at ourselves and evaluate our role and what we may need to change in order to be focused on making disciples? Are we willing to fight the battles that will need to be fought?
Mission-Driven. All of our churches are, so let's give the best of our energy and resources to making sure it is the right mission: making disciples through evangelism, discipling and training them for ministry. As an association we would love to help you in this process.
Blessings!
Steve
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Invest
in the Vision
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We Are Starting New Churches! 
What a thrill it was for me and I'm sure for you also, to see the two families who we commissioned as church planters at the Revitalize Conference last month.
Gene & Pam Willey along with their sons will be planting in Morenci AZ and Mario & Melissa Leyvas will soon start a church in Glendale. These leaders are endorsed by sending churches from our association (First Baptist Nogales and Palm Valley respectively.) and both successfully completed our bootcamp/assessment weekend called "Multiply."
 The commissioning was affirmation that we believe God has called these families to the mission focus that He laid on their hearts. It's also our opportunity to pledge support much like you probably do for families in your church when you dedicate children in the service. The dedication is a challenge to the parents to fulfill their role but it's also for  the church to pledge that as a spiritual family they will help and support the parents in raising their children to know and love God.
In this case we all are pledging our support to these baby churches to help them as much as we can to be successful in their missions to reach unchurched people and disciple them. This is exciting because when our church plants accomplish their mission it means that we are also accomplishing ours as an association!
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The Branch is the name of one of 2 church plants that our Association has recently commissioned. This new church is being coached by Palm Valley Church and will be meeting at a HS near University of Phoenix Stadium. They are having an open house September 21st to share their vision and introduce themselves to the community. 
If you're interested in meeting the Pastor and his wife, Mario & Melissa Leyvas, please stop by.
Raymond S. Kellis High School
8990 W. Orangewood
Glendale, AZ 85305
9:30AM to 11:30AM
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The Cross at Estrella - A Church on Mission with a Missional Purpose
Dwight Hunt, SWCC Church Health and Placement Consultant
 In His Great Commission Jesus gave His Church a command to make disciples of all nations (Matt 28:18-20). This command is surrounded by three participial modifiers --going, baptizing and teaching. He is saying that while we are "going," we need to make disciples, and this mentoring involves baptizing and teaching.
One of our core values is being "mission-driven." Traditionally when we think of missions we tend to think globally, that is, sending missionaries overseas. For the past 100 years the western church has been based on this paradigm that it sends missionaries globally. In His commission I believe that Jesus is telling us not only be involved with world missions, but center ourselves on living missionally where we are. Steven Knight, in his blog "Missional Shift," notes that the church does not have a mission in the world [but] God's mission in the world has a church.  When I was meeting with Sam Sacco, the lead pastor of The Cross at Estrella, not too long into our conversation we were talking about the mission of his church---Commissioning Followers of Jesus Christ and how that is producing a congregation of missional (he calls them incarnational) believers who are committed to the purpose of making disciples. Sam brings with him into the ministry his past experiences as a police officer in New Jersey, a present experience as a part-time professor of Bible literature at Arizona Christian University, his college and seminary education, and a creativity that not only enjoys thinking outside of the box but trying ministry outside of the box as well.
The church gathers for worship at different weekend locations (usually homes) during the month. But during the week, many of its trained members are scattered at work places, schools, coffee houses, sports events, etc. Their objective? Develop relationships with people (unchurched and nonbelievers) so that they can impart the Good News. Sam shared stories of some who were antagonistic against the Church, who would never "darken" a church door again, but took up challenges to read portions of the Gospels and discovered they really liked this "Jesus" after all. People are led to the Lord through the influence of the loving congregation of The Cross at Estrella, and they are encouraged to engage in an intentional discipleship process which includes accountability, reading large portions of God's Word, praying for others, etc. Let's pray for Sam and his leadership team as they serve others in this vital ministry. |
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Generosity. . .a window to our values and our souls
Bert Downs, SWCC Regional Coach
 In a recent conversation, a friend brought up the topic of generosity. He expressed frustration about a contribution he had made to an organization. It seemed to him the application of his gift was something very different from what he thought he was supporting.
On the drive home following our conversation, it struck me that unless you have a means for evaluating your generosity practices, you can easily encounter the kind of disappointment my friend did. And generosity disappointments can be very deep, can't they?
In a prior article, I suggested that a key factor in making our generosity effective is having a plan.
And planning is very good . . . as far as it goes. However, my friend pushed me to consider the foundation necessary for a good plan? "What is it?" he asked, seeking a specific answer.
And the answer is VALUES. Your generosity should follow your values. In fact, for Christians, generosity is a key barometer of their values. Pastor Kent Hughes of College Church in Wheaton teaches that how we handle our money has everything to do with how we orient ourselves to Jesus -in his words, "generosity is a sign of a regenerate soul." And Pastor John Piper indicates that "the gospel opens our soul and with it our hands. It frees our fingers to loosen their grasp on our goods."
I first learned a lesson on values-based giving as a teen. A pastor friend introduced me to two business leaders . . . brothers who had been exceedingly successful. Within a life-changing faith conversation, my friend urged these brothers to share with me what they practiced with respect to generosity. . .
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Being Prepared to Share the Gospel
Carol Tetzlaff, SWCC Event Coordinator
 Last week a friend of mine walked into her home to find glass shattered all over the kitchen. The culprit, a brick from her own backyard. It was obvious that someone was trying to break in, but something deterred the person from doing so, leaving only a mess behind. She and her husband are using their home for intentional ministry in a low income community in downtown Chandler and her only words about the thief was this, "If only this person would realize that we want them in our home. We just want them to come through the front door!" They have a treasure to give this person that could never compare with the reward a few stolen electronic gadgets. They have Jesus! I recently read about the armor of God and something stood out to me as never before, in light of this story. The shoes, of the gospel of peace, are mentioned with all the other armor. Even in the midst of our most heated battles, the peace that comes from the gospel is what carries us. It is our mission... it is what drives us! Whatever it is that happens in our life it is for the sole of purpose of revealing God's glory to a lost world. Paul writes in I Corinthians that whatever we are doing... do it all for the glory of God. As His glory is made evident in our lives, the gospel will go out bringing peace to all willing to accept it. As I reflect on this story, this broken windows represents the shattered lives that are all around us. These individuals are in a battle against themselves, fighting against the only One who can mend their brokeness. We have the calming salve that can be found only in Jesus. He alone can take them from their desperate attempts to find peace on their own, inviting them into the front door of His salvation. Being prepared to share the gospel is the mission of the church. Jesus left us with the command to "Go" and it is the responsibility of the church to train people to do just that! There are many ways you can train the people in your church to effectively share their faith, but one  way is through the Remedy events. These events are designed to train your people in the areas where you see they need it. If you would like a Remedy Event to come to your area, contact Carol Tetzlaff, events coordinator. And remember, take up the full armor of God including having your feet ready to share His gospel in every battle you encounter! More on Remedy
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article by Micaela Clark, Prescott Pines Camp
Prescott Pines Camp Mission Statement
We will help people experience God through His creation, our care, and the fostering of community.
I like to think of working at camp as being a servant. Ok, not the kind you're probably thinking about, they don't work us that hard! I think of being a servant because it is a humbling reminder for myself that I am here for others, because at camp that's what we're all about. I am here to serve God, to serve others, or my personal slogan, Serving God, Serving You.
We come to work every day trying to fulfill our goals and see where we can take them. How much further and better we can establish this mission in our ministry. This is why we wanted to take the time to remind you and your church, we are here to help you. Our mission fits in with your goals, and your mission as a church. It gives us joy to watch your ministry bloom and grow. We see this with many churches that come here: Palm Valley staff trainings, First Baptist picnics, and Summit Ridge youth missions, are just a few churches that come to camp to make a difference in their ministry.
I could talk all day about the amazing things we do at camp, but how fun is that if you aren't getting to experience the beauty of them? Why not come and see for yourself? We would love for you to join us this coming fall and into the winter season. 
Next month in September, it's time for the ladies to come together once again for Women's Retreat. It's a girl's night out, weekend get-away at Prescott Pines Camp. Come together for a time of refreshment, relaxation, and renewal as our dynamic speakers teach us what it means when Hope is in the House! There are two chocolate eating, raffle winning, fellowship uplifting weekends to choose from. To see more info about Women's Retreat, click here.
 Another great opportunity coming up is for the youth. In just a few short months, Agents of One: The Academy, will take place. I can't give you too many details, but between you and me,this year we are changing up everything. New activities, new characters, and some twists you may not see coming.
See more info on Winter Camp 2015 here.
We hope to see you soon!
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 Ed Clavell, SWCC Regional Facilitator
We Shall Know Them by Their Honorarium
The way some Christian churches and other organizations pay their speakers, makes me embarrassed to be a member of the same faith.
A friend of mine is a gifted preacher and Bible professor. He is married, with a child, and works hard and long at his job. Frequently he is asked to speak at churches, retreats or special events sponsored by other groups. Rarely is he paid well for what is in fact overtime work-for audiences other than the one that pays his regular salary.
One weekend, he left his family to speak at a retreat for more than 100 young people, each of whom paid to go away to a well-furnished camp for three days. My friend gave four talks and participated in a question-and-answer session-a typical, and demanding, schedule. But his work didn't end there, of course. Retreat speakers are "on call" all weekend: for impromptu counseling, offering advice over mealtimes, and modeling what they preach on the volleyball court or around the campfire. Make no mistake: There is very little relaxing in that role, however restful the retreat might be for everyone else.
So at the end of this tiring weekend, at the close of the Sunday luncheon, the leader of the group thanked him profusely at the front of the dining hall (he had gone over very well). Then he tossed the speaker a T-shirt emblazoned with the group's logo while everyone clapped. It took my friend several minutes to realize that this shirt was his total payment for the weekend's work. He got in his car, without even a check for gasoline, and headed back to his waiting family.
An isolated and extreme example? Not at all. Many Pastors and Christian speakers, who have provided Pulpit supply or spoken at various functions have stories like these. . .
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Large portions of this article on based from the article which appears in John G. Stackhouse book, Church: An insider's Look at How We Do It. Copyrighted 2005.
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