Module 1 Qualities of SPPRC with a Glossary of Terms Module 2 Healthy Practices for Growing Faithful and Effective Partnerships Module 5 Cross-Cultural Appointments (Rev. Dr. Enna Antunez and IAC CORR) Module 3 The Ministry of Recruitment Module 4 Facilitating Difficult Conversations Module 6 Aligning with Iowa Annual Conference HR, Pension, and Health Module 7 Accountability and Support Module 8 A SPPRC Calendar Shaped by Tasks, Functions, and Context Module 9 Women and Church Goal: To provide a training opportunity and resource bank for Staff Pastor Parish Relations Committees so they may take leadership in growing healthy, faithful and fruitful ministry partnerships.
Definition of Terms Discipline The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church: describes the form of organization and governance of The United Methodist Church. It is the most current statement of what we believe and the way we agree to live our lives together. The Book of Discipline is organized by paragraph rather than page, chapter, or section. The paragraphs are numbered consecutively within each section, but numbers may be skipped between sections to allow for future additions. There is a table of contents and a topical index. The paragraphs in the 200 section relate to the local church; the 300 section relates to the ministry of the ordained. Culture: the behaviors and beliefs characteristic of a particular social, ethnic, or age group Racism: a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human racial groups determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to dominate others or that a particular racial group is inferior to the others.
Definition of Terms Itinerancy: Itinerant ministry The United Methodist system of sending ordained and credentialed ministers to serve the church and community where appointed by their Bishop. This system follows the example of Jesus sending disciples as described in Luke 9 and 10.
Why We Have Cross-Cultural/Cross- Racial Appointments ( 425.4) To prepare congregations and for them to be aware that the appointment system are based on the principle of the Image of God and that the UMC is mandate by the Book of Discipline to increase racial and ethnic diversity in the church and in its leadership.
Why We Have Cross-Cultural/Cross- Racial Appointments To encourage congregations to appreciate the blessings of diversity in having pastors of different ethnicities in which the majority of their constituencies are different from the clergyperson s own racial/ethnic and cultural background.
What are our Blessings with Cross- Cultural Appointments Opportunity to learn other cultures and its enrichment Have a different world view in doing ministry Gifts of diversity, leadership, spirituality An opportunity to help us connect with new people in our communities.
What are the Challenges with Cross- Cultural Appointments Not having welcoming spirit Not supporting one another Communication/Language Barrier Misunderstandings/Misconceptions of cultures Resistance to change Fear of the unknown Culture shock Racism
What do we need to do now Accepting one another as children of God Communicate with each other Build relationships by: a. Working together in fulfilling the vision and mission of the Church b. Celebrating the gifts/blessings of diversity Open to develop cultural competencies by learning together
How can we work together? Having open minds, hearts, and doors Willingness to work and support each other Practicing open communication Intentionally share leadership
List of Resources Many Faces, One Church: A Manual for Cross-Racial and Cross-Cultural Ministry by Glory Dharmaraj, Jacob Dharmaraj, and Ernest S. Lyght (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2006.) GCORR s Website (http://gcorr.org) 2012 Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church *Contact Iowa CORR for Cross-Cultural Workshop Powerpoint