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January 2015 - In This Issue:
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RELATIONALLY COMMITTED
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 A question that I wrestle with for our Association is how do we accomplish our core value of being "relationally committed"? We all understand the relational component that Jesus demonstrated in His ministry with His disciples and with those He came in contact with through His ministry. But I think all of us have found that saying we are "relationally committed" to other believers is much easier to say than to do. Perhaps the hardest word in that phrase is "committed" because that calls for us to push for relationship. On a macro level we seek to do this through pastors helping pastors and churches helping churches. It's a commitment to be involved with peers for the purpose of serving and giving rather than primarily getting and receiving. Of course we all know the paradox that Jesus taught us that if we give we will receive, but it too is sometimes hard to practice in our busy lives. We all have many demands on our time and energy through our church, family and community so that it is hard to carve out the time to participate in a Connection Group with other pastors. But if we are truly "relationally committed" I think that ministering to one another at a pastoral level is key. What about our churches finding a sister church that could use some fellowship, encouragement, even prayer and figure out how we can alongside and help build a Kingdom spirit within our congregations by reaching out and serving them? What might that say about us being "relationally committed"? On a micro level within our churches and our personal lives I think we see this through Jesus model of discipleship - He called the 12 that they might be "with Him" (Mark 3:14). We often refer to a statistic that has been true of the church ever since Jesus was here that nearly 78% of everyone who comes to faith in Christ does so because of a friend or relative. But it is just as important to understand that for a new believer to grow in maturity as a disciple of Jesus that somebody has to be committed to relationship with them. That is how discipleship works. Teaching is important, Bible studies are great as well as sermons and classes, but truly Christianity is more "caught" than "taught". We do this the same way Jesus did by inviting people into our lives and modeling it for them. Are the people in our church family "relationally committed" to others in the church family to learn from, to teach, to watch, to model, to invest, to receive? That is the type of healthy churches we want to build and to lead. In an effort to be more relationally committed as an Association we are bringing our Annual Meeting on the road to an area close to you! We want to connect with you and hear the stories of what God is doing in your world and to share with you the stories from around our region of God's work. We have set aside the first couple weeks in February to get connected with as many in our association as possible. I know that it will still involve some travel for many of you and another commitment for your schedule, but I sure hope you will take time to come and meet with us. It shouldn't be a long event, just an hour, but I believe that you will be blessed and I know that others will be blessed if you are able to attend. Click on the Storyline picture below for the schedule and details. 
I hope you will enjoy the articles and stories contained in the rest of our magazine to help you think through and process how to live out being "relationally committed". And I look forward to seeing you in February! Steve Engram SWCC Regional Executive |
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AROUND THE NETWORK
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Bob & Janet Lehman
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Arizona Hills Community Church - committed to making relational ripples in their Communityby Dwight Hunt, SWCC Church Health and Placement Consultant Occasionally Marilyn and I have the opportunity to visit some of the SWCC churches in the Phoenix area. One of these churches is Arizona Hills Community Church in Anthem. Every time we visit, we are impacted and impressed with the genuine friendliness of the people, the music, and Bob Lehman's practical and passionate preaching. If you visit the church you will be given a genuine welcome by members of the congregation at least four to five times. I am not kidding! Over the years, Bob, Janet, and members of their family have served the Lord in the Phoenix area in several capacities. These have included church planting for SWCC (SWCBA), professor at Southwestern College (now Arizona Christian University), leading worship, the pastorate. Several years ago, Bob and Dale Farwell began to pray about a church in the northern hills area. Soon they sensed the Lord leading them to start Arizona Hills Community Church. It was launched in 1999, and its first service in Anthem took place later in 2000. Since the time of launching, the church has grown from just a hand full of people to about 300. The church is committed to the mission of being relationally-committed to their community and beyond. This is displayed by the church's emphasis on different types of outreaches, home groups, and short-term mission adventures. During Marilyn's and my most recent visit, Bob was finishing a series entitled "Making Ripples," a series designed to encourage his congregation to reach people for Christ through building relationships with their neighbors around their homes, in their families, at work, with similar interest, in their social networks, etc. Pray that Bob, his board, his staff, and the congregation continue to "make relational ripples" in Anthem. |
CAMP BLOG 
When Church and Camp Meet
One day, our camp staff started talking about what it would be like if a church ran their service like it was camp. We had the chance to experience this when we were invited to share our camp ministry with the fine people of Manzanita Baptist Church in Kingman. Pastor Ernst, being a brave and visionary man, allowed our camp staff to take over their Saturday night service, and both their Sunday morning children's and adult services. He gave us permission to do it "camp style." Saturday evening's service . . . Read More
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MAKING CONNECTIONS 
Connecting to encourage church planters Not long ago I was in northern AZ and connected with Michael Ward in Pine. I also re-connected with an old friend Donovan Christian who planted a church in Payson. In the process, it was my privilege to connect these two pastors together which I'm sure will bring mutual benefit, but there is already something else that has happened out of this meeting. When I shared my vision to encourage and train our church planters through a January retreat, they both agreed to help host the event. So, by God's design these two experienced pastors are going to join with me and other SWCC leaders, Jan 9-10 to host a retreat in the Pine/Payson area for our new church planters. Of course as you know, having the opportunity to train and encourage others isn't one-sided. Connecting together to serve others is sure to bring joy and blessing to those on the host/training team. Speaking of connection, you too can connect with our church planting initiatives by praying for and making a contribution to the Leyvas family (planting in Glendale in Feb), and the Willey family (planting in Morenci later in the year.) Learn More |
FROM OUR COACH 
Two experiences from my childhood have, perhaps more than any others, shaped my view of relationships and ministry. Both of those experiences connect to relationships within the church and with the church and the unbelieving world. The first experience grows from time spent with my great grandfather, the man I simply knew as granddad. As the son of two hard working, depression-born parents, I spent a lot of time with him while my parents were working. Granddad was a business man, outdoor sports enthusiast, reader, thinker and home-spun philosopher. And he generously invested his life and time in me, so much so that he often referred to me as his shadow. It's probably no surprise that I'm very much like him in many ways. Here's the interesting thing . . . I can't remember anything that he specifically told me... Read More |
INSIGHTS AND EVENTS 
Investing in your life and the life of your church This morning at church I met a new gal named Kim. She has only been in Mesa for a month and began attending church about three weeks ago. Through our conversation I invited her to our gal's Bible study and shared that we are going to study the book of Jonah this quarter. She looked at me puzzled and I gave the quick response, "you know the story of the guy who gets swallowed by the big fish." To my surprise she said, "no idea what you are talking about, but I'll come." WOW! Kim is longing for relationship and friendship. I can't wait for Kim to find out all about Jonah and even more than that... Read More |
CHURCH WORKS 
Are We Required to Perform or Host Same-Sex Marriage Ceremonies? A look at the rights and protections afforded to clergy and churches.
By, Richard R. Hammar
Our church believes that marriage should be limited to unions between a man and woman. We are concerned about the possible liability of pastors who decline to perform same-sex marriage ceremonies due to their theological convictions, even if allowed by law. We also are concerned about the liability of our church if we do not allow same-sex couples to use our sanctuary for weddings. Should we be concerned? . . . Article from http://www.churchlawandtax.com/topics/law/clergy/ Read More |
REMEMBERING MIKI WEST
a replay from our SWCC Heritage Video Series
Miki West, a long time friend of SWCC serving with our board and ordination committee, went home to glory December 27, 2014. Miki was a former CB pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Silver City, NM and Bible Baptist Church in Phoenix. He also served as Chaplain for the VA hospital here in Phoenix. Remembering his work and servant's heart, we replay this interview done in 2012.  | | Rev. Miki West - SWCC Heritage Series |
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