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From Your
Director
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 Dr. Bert Downs
Regional Executive Director
Further. Together.
It's the Annual Celebration theme. We borrowed it from a wonderful
African proverb: If you want to go
fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.
No where is that proverb more true than in the Body of Christ. The
Lord built His Body to go together. If we don't go together, it doesn't
work as it should . . . in fact, it may not work at all. Whether
we're developing mission in our Jerusalems, our Judea-Samarias or in the
rest of the world, our greatest impact comes when we travel together . . .
when we network for new ideas, when we support one another's endeavors,
when we invest in each other for greater strength, when we try things so
big not one of us could do it alone, when we love each other enough to
listen, to advise, to correct, to buy into, to sacrifice.
Well, you get the idea. While some days I find myself thinking it
would be easier just to do this on my own, I come back to this dream . . .
I really want the part of God's Kingdom I relate to (including me) to go as
far as it absolutely can . . . as far as God called it to go. And
that means TOGETHER has to be central to the journey.
Our Annual Celebration is developing into a great reminder of that.
The Annual Vision Meeting exists for that. The keynote speaker has
been selected to help us all with the critical together mission -
discipleship. The seminars all reflect together topics that we've
gleaned from you as we visited scores of you this year.
Together . . . it's not just important. It's crucial. It's
commanded. Please, set aside
March 14 to gather with those on the journey with you, to enjoy a terrific
day of fellowship, learning and vision, and to remind ourselves that on
this journey it's all about together.
See you March 14.
Bert
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Annual Celebration
Essentials
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 The
SWCBA Annual Celebration is scheduled for March 14 at Palmcroft Baptist Church, 15825 N. 35th Avenue in
Phoenix. You may check in
and/or register for the day and visit the exhibits, beginning at 10
a.m. on
the Palmcroft campus. We recommend early registration by completing
the registration form available at your church or at our website, www.southwestcba.com.
 The
first general session will begin at 10:45 a.m. followed by a session of
seminar electives, then lunch, a final general session and the day
concluding with our Annual Vision Meeting. The entire program will
end by 4 p.m. allowing everyone plenty of time to return to their homes and
Sunday ministries. The registration fee, if you register in advance
of the day, is $25 per person and includes lunch and all materials related
to the main session and your choice of seminars. If you wait until
the AC day to  register,
the cost is $30 at the door . . . don't wait! As you see from the
seminar selections outlined later in this FN, the topics have been chosen
to reflect key areas of need that have been shared with us throughout 2008
. . . they're designed to help us go further . . . together.
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Pastor, Author, Teacher, Discipleship Coach Keynotes Main
Sessions
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 Dr.
Max Anders cut his ministry teeth in pastoral service and as a beloved
instructor at Arizona College of the Bible. He knows Arizona and
Arizona churches.
His ministry journey includes helping found Walk Thru the Bible Ministries
and many years of teaching with them, church planting, senior pastor of
churches with attendance ranging from the 100s to 1000s and authoring of
widely read books including 30 Days to Understanding the Bible which has
sold over half a million copies.
Through all of his very productive days in ministry, the beat of his heart
has been for effective discipleship. It's that topic that now brings
focus to his ministry through 7 Marks Ministries which he now leads.
The 7 Marks of a Complete Christian Seminar which he offers in churches
throughout the nation gives the individual Christian as well as
congregations a complete system for self-guided discipleship and ministry
to others. At the AC, Max will offer three sessions: the seven marks of a
complete Christian; planting the seven marks in a congregation's heart; and
the seven ministries of a complete church.
Max will help us all engage in the most asked question we experience here
at SWCBA: how can we become more effective at reaching our culture and in
growing new (and sometimes old) Christians toward maturity in Christ.
He's practical, he's biblical, he knows church ministry, missionally he
gets it . . . oh yes, he's funny. You will be blessed and likely
changed by the ministry of Dr. Max Anders. He'll be here waiting for
you . . . March 14.
More
About 7 Marks
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Seminar Track Varied, Practical, Filled
with Challenging Choices
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 "I think I want to take all of them." That was the general team response as we assembled
this year's seminars for you.
They reflect the questions, opportunities and issues you've presented us
throughout 2008. They represent an investment in progress toward
critical goals, issues and understandings you, our congregations and individuals
within them seem to be seeking. As you'll see below, the seminar line
up represents today's issues from political realities, economic challenges,
leadership development, personal needs to congregational renewal, effective
missions,  "heart" growth and powerful discipleship
tools. And the seminars are presented by trainers steeped in their
respective topics, many of whom lead churches and ministries right here in
our region. And we are joined by CBA regional directors and staffs
from other parts of the nation who will help make a "together"
investment in us as well. Check the list of seminars and make your
choice. We did say it would be a challenging one!
Seminar Track Topics
and Trainers . . .
Can
Israel Survive? A
current events look at Israel today and in prophecy. Patrick Neff, Friends
of Israel
Assessment - A Tool to Grow Your Church
- Practical instruction on church assessment. David Hay and Stan
Rieb, Rocky Mountain CBA
How
Can We Grow If We Can't Get Along - Guide to a healthy church
culture / conflicts. James Leary, Mission Mid-Atlantic
The
Discipler-Coach - A
primer on coaching as a discipleship tool. Bert Downs, SWCBA
Planting
the "7 Marks" Principles in a Congregation's Heart Max Anders, 7 Marks
Ministries
Desperate
for God - Women's hearts going deep in the Lord. Vicki Smith, CB Southern
California
Tools
for Intentionally Multiplying Church Leadership - A practical exploration of
how
leaders multiply themselves. Roger Ball, First Baptist Church, Tempe
From
Old to New Again, the Journey of an Aging Church - An engagement with the
practical ways aging churches become new again. Lee Wiggins, The
Heights, Prescott
Missions
for Today - Renewing Your World View - Developing a healthy world
view in a
health-challenging culture. Jim Baugh, Global Training Network
Stewardship
and Generosity in Shaky Times - A biblical strategy for responding to our
economic times. Steve Brooks, Crown Ministries
Estrategias
Ministeriales -
Estrategias para Alcanzar la Vision
2:05 pm - Estructuras y Plan de Accion. Stanley Smith, Latino
Ministries, San Jose, CA
Growing
Together in Marriage -
Marriage as a key growth tool of church and culture. Jim Smith, CB
Southern California
SouthwestCBA.com
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Vision Meeting to Conclude Day
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 Okay . . . you figured it out. We used to call it a
business meeting. And there will be some important business: approving
budgets, electing the Board of Managers for the coming year, and welcoming
some new churches into the family. Important stuff, right? But
the heart of the meeting will be vision: what are the "traveling
together" pieces that will take us further in our regional mission
than we could expect to accomplish separately. And what is that
mission? What are the elements being shaped and put in motion in
order to fulfill our regional calling? What are the opportunities,
realities and challenges we face? What are some of the good stories
that tell us the regional mission, when pursued together, is mission
possible. Okay . . . it's sort of a business meeting . . . but it's
not one you'll want to miss. And President Bob Edmondson will gavel
adjournment at 4 p.m. sharp so every minute together will be important.
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2008, Bullet-point Report
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Here's what 2008 looked like in three-minute's reading or
less:
- Many relationships
renewed and some strategic new ones initiated.
- Communication improved,
information effectively disseminated, attention gained.
- Selective leadership
events effectively executed.
- Relational isolation
between association and churches and among churches diminished.
- Important gains in
operational efficiencies so more can be focused on mission.
- Ongoing economic
viability in the face of major fiscal and associational realities.
- Economically positive
year through church support plus major, one-time individual gifts.
- Significantly improved
ministry future for Prescott Pines.
- Renewed economic
strength for Prescott Pines including reduced debt.
- Support and coaching in
some significant church turnarounds.
- Gaining an improved
level of respect for the association and its mission potential.
- Effectively introducing
some new ministry ideas and approaches.
- Learning who we are as a
group as well as who we are not.
- Gaining a clearer
picture of where the mission can go and what it can be.
- Developing an
increasingly effective Board team.
And here's what we've yet to learn (questions about our
future):
- Can we move from
transactional relationships to transformational ones?
- Can the association and
its mission prove viable for the long term?
- Can the association and
its mission be funded for the long term?
- Can we create new
congregations fast enough to accomplish mission?
- Can we renew existing
churches fast enough to accomplish mission?
- Are we willing to
network and work together for a larger cause?
- Can we define and commit
to the key elements of viable mission?
- Is the Association
really needed in this day?
- If it is, should its
mission be expanded or more focused?
- Can Prescott Pines move
beyond survival to thriving in the near future?
- Can we develop the
vision, faith and will to effectively impact (disciple) the region
together?
So as
you can see, while the Association (that's really you) has worked to
accomplish some key things throughout 2008 and has clearly been blessed,
there are important, bigger picture issues that now have to be addressed
and brought to conclusion. That's the exciting and important mission
journey before us. Are you ready?
SouthwestCBA.com
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Why Would You Go? Why Would You Invite?
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 Hopefully you see it . . . that this event . . . this
high-energy, relevant day . . . is crafted for us together and for you
individually.
It's aimed at celebration of what is and what can be . . . it's filled will
investments to help us go further . . . it's salted with fellowship and
fun, essential ingredients in any effective journey . . . it's shaped to
fit the reality of today's schedules and it's a real value (won't cost you
an arm or leg to be here). God does have a trip we are called to make
together, and this will be a great day, a great point in time to get back
on that train.
And because everything about the day is energetic, crafted with excellence,
meaningful and practical, enjoyable and totally affordable, this is an
event to which you can bring a friend with confidence that this will be a
great day for them as well. In fact, coming with someone . . . a
friend from your church or from another congregation . . . is a great step
on the together journey.
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Latino Leadership Training Fills Out AC Offerings
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 If current trends continue, the US population will increase
by 117 million by 2050 with 82% of that increase due to immigration. There
is little doubt that to stay effective, ethnic ministry will become an
increasingly important aspect of our mission together. Already,
Latino churches and developing congregations make up a significant segment
of the SWCBA mission. In response to that reality and growing
opportunity, the AC includes an important training element for Latino
leaders and their congregations along with the opportunity to worship and
celebrate with all the SWCBA congregations.
This year Rev. Stan Smith, a veteran Latino ministry leader with Missionary
Gospel Fellowship, will present four seminar sessions beginning on Friday
afternoon and extending into the Annual Celebration. Built on the
theme "Strategies for Ministry," each session will address a key
development topic for Latino pastors and leaders: La Visión Bíblica para la
Iglesia (the biblical vision for the church); El Concepto del Pastoreo (the
concepts of a pastor); Estrategias para Alcanzar la Vision (strategy to
reach the vision); and Estructuras y Plan de Acción (structures and vision
plan).
Rev. Smith lives in San Jose, CA, and ministers to leaders and
congregations throughout the United States and Mexico. He is married
to Amalia who is from Mexico, and who is active in training Latino women
for ministry. Stan is a passionate servant of God committed to train
and empower leaders in Latino churches to build strong and healthy
congregations and mature believers. Please contact the SWCBA Latino
Ministries coordinator Ricardo Puerta for further information and to
register for the entire Latino training event including the Annual
Celebration: 602-788-8090, or at rpuerta@southwestcba.com.
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Other Upcoming Events . . .
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- Truth Project Training. The Center for Arizona Policy
will offer a Truth Project
 training
event at Calvary Community Church on February 28 from 8:30 a.m. to
12:30 p.m. The cost is $99 per individual or couple; you will be
equipped to use the Truth Project materials in your ministry.
Along with the training you will receive the 8 DVD curriculum set and
a leadership training DVD for your use. There has never been a
more significant time to invest in the world view of your congregation
and The Truth Project is a great tool for that investment. Many
of our SWCBA churches have trained Truth Project leaders and have used
the tool to make a powerful impact on peoples' lives. This is a
great opportunity for you to do that as well. To find out more
about the Truth Project go to www.thetruthproject.org. To register on line go to www.azpolicy.org/calendar or call the Center for Arizona
Policy at 602-424-2525.
- Southwestern College 2009 Golf
Scramble. Want
to participate in a fun
 and
effective way to support the ministry of Southwestern College?
Yes. Then you'll want to check out the 2009 Golf Scramble.
Whether you want to join in as a player in a group, bring a 4-person
team of your own and/or participate in a sponsoring role, there's an
opportunity for you in this great event scheduled for April 13 at the
Arizona Biltmore Golf Club. For more information including how
to register and various levels of participation, call 602-386-4103 or
cont act golf@swcaz.edu. Fore!
- 2009 SWCBA Men's Roundup -
"Know Pain, Know Gain." Featuring
Pastor Jim Bull as the Roundup speaker, this year's theme will explore
the reality of pain in our lives and how we victoriously gain through
it. Pastor Jim knows the reality of pain as does his wife,
Selma. Jim and Selma were married just three years ago. Cancer
claimed the life of Selma's husband of 23 years and leukemia took
Jim's wife in 2002. From their experiences they've learned
powerful lessons that brought victory to them and to 100s of others
through them. This roundup will take you places you need to go,
won't want to go and afterward, will be glad you've gone.
And, of course, the weekend will be filled with fellowship, fun and
scores of opportunities to decompress and simply enjoy other believers
and a ton of fun activities. The "fun" will begin at
the Men's Roundup golf tournament scheduled to tee off at 9 a.m. on
Friday, April 24 at the Antelope Hills North Golf Course in Prescott
Valley. Entry fee for the tournament is $75 and includes green
fees, cart and lunch. Fees for the Roundup, not including the golf
tournament, range from $43 for a single-day registration up to $164
for the full event.
Here's what you need to do right now: check your church for a brochure
on the 2009 Men's Roundup, then check out all the great stuff and
register right away. If you can't find a brochure at your
church, you can download one from our Southwest CBA website, or call
Prescott Pines at 928-445-5225 or SWCBA at 602-788-8090 and we'll
promptly get one to you. See you at the Roundup!
Download
a Brochure
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SWCBA Ministry Brochure
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 Dressed in a Southwest design, this brochure highlights the
history, mission, objectives and character of SWCBA, gives a summary view
of its four primary ministries and offers a list of services available to
churches and their leaders. A
few churches have utilized the brochure as one of the resources in new
member classes as well as by simply making the brochure available to
congregants. To receive a quantity of brochures for use in your
church simply email Barb at beymann@southwestcba.com.
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Send Us Your Newsletter or E-Letter
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 We would love to hear from you
so we can better pray for your church and include some
of your stories and prayer requests in
our E-letters.
Just add us to your church newsletter mailing list.
beymann@southwestcba.com
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