Diversity & Leadership Imperatives
The Texas Conference strongly believes in the value of diversity both in our workforce as well as among our constituents. Thus, we are committed to providing an environment of fairness and equitable treatment of everyone, regardless of religion, race, culture or creed. As we embrace individual uniqueness, we find that it brings creativity and vitality to our environment. In recognition of that, we practice diversity training, work to increase diverse leadership and strive to hire and retain diverse employees throughout the conference. Our goals are to effectively serve constituents from ALL backgrounds, encourage the growth and development of ALL employees, and celebrate the diversity of the communities that we serve. We accomplish this by providing services for individuals who face language barriers, gaining an understanding of our cultural differences and increasing our knowledge and understanding regarding issues that affect all of us. We continue to embrace a true culture of inclusion. We are committed to more than prayer, we are committed to action.
Financial Imperatives
Texas Conference membership expects that we will “Do what is Right” and keeping our stakeholder’s best interests at the heart of our financial reporting is key. God has blessed this conference over the year not because we are worthy, but because He is gracious and merciful. When we are faithful to all of the plans laid out for us in the Word of God, we will be given more. “Too much is given, much is required.” We are accountable to all of our employees, constituents, volunteers, and communities to adhere to our core values and expectations as well as recognizing consequences for failure to uphold them. When we focus on these values that include diversity, we are better for it and can avoid financial harm for ignoring real signs.
Personnel Imperatives
Our commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in the Texas Conference and in our professional workforce is grounded in our experience and rich history of Seventh-day Adventists in the Lone Star state and our deep commitment to improving the lives of the diverse population of Texas and the nation. I believe that our commitment to preaching and teaching the gospel, providing service to the communities around us and cultivating a professional workforce to meet the needs of our diverse communities is a priority. Texas Conference is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an ecosystem that includes differences while continuing to stay true to our mission by ensuring that our place can be anyone’s place.
Spiritual Imperatives
We understand the Gospel as the story of redemption and reconciliation between God, creation, and our neighbors. Texas Conference affirms the value of the intellectual, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being of our full-time, past-time and lay-pastors, teachers and office staff. Here is what we mean by this, in the context of the work of the pastorate and of our church relatedness. Texas Conference values this diversity as part of the spiritual experience and strives to build an authentic caring community, mutual appreciation, and respect as we live together amid our benefits, cultural, political and other differences.