“The ultimate end goal isn’t wealth-building or self-sufficiency, it’s to create new communities of people in churches across economic lines who are being challenged and changed by one another.”

Among Jesus’ original disciples, two were political opponents: Simon the Zealot, who believed government should remain hands-off. And Matthew, the government-employed tax collector.

The Unity Fund is intended to raise up leaders from diverse ethnic backgrounds by providing grants to educate, train, mentor, and develop minority leadership within the PCA.

There are sound reasons ?to trust God in our ?post-Christian culture.

Formal evaluations provide the opportunity to enhance ministry, improve priorities, encourage better communication and active participation. The process allows the church to grow toward mature service and caring fellowship, discover opportunities to implement better strategies, and strengthen the unity of spirit between the pastor and elders.

“For 500 years the church has neglected Native American people,” said Ronan Crown. There’s virtually no trust. “We must come as a servant like Jesus Christ,” Crown says, “and journey alongside them for a long time.”

Though it is easy for an outgoing pastor’s thoughts to gravitate toward his legacy, his focus should be squarely on the future.

People may put themselves forward rather than trusting God to promote them in His season. This kind of behavior is almost always a failure to remember the gospel. Only God’s opinion really matters, and He has said that in Christ, believers are the apple of his eye.

“It is extremely humbling to think of serving in this role,” Ince said. “Of all of the qualified people who happen to be people of color, to get this opportunity to serve the church in this way blows me away.”

Below are the recommendations issued by the Overtures Committee on June 13.