Henriet's Blog

It Takes the Whole Church to Impact the World

The human needs around the world are staggering. Whether we focus in on local, national or international issues, there just seems to be so much that needs to be done. Even if we only looked at the issue of water, from clean water for communities in Africa to water for the local homeless in a city in the U.S., it quickly becomes obvious that the needs are great. How can I help and have any impact? Whatever I do seems to be just a drop in the bucket. So is it even worth it?

Just 1 in 4 helps someone

Researcher George Barna writes in his book Revolution, that in a "typical week, only one out of every four believers will allocate some time to serving other people" (Revolution, page 34). Most of that goes to volunteering in local churches. According to Barna, "little effort is invested in serving needy people outside the congregation." That's sad! He goes on to state that a very small percentage of people interact with the poor or disadvantaged in their communities. The typical Christian prefers to give money to an organization to facilitate good deeds in society rather than personally being involved in alleviating the needs of people.

That just won't do! We are the church. Jesus sent us to go tell the good news and be his hands and feet. It takes the whole church. It takes all of us - each doing our part, whether that's a little or a lot. That's one of the reasons we started Semper Vita - to serve more people together!

We need to change and get busy

However, if only one in four is actively helping people in need most of us are underemployed in God's Kingdom. Changes need to be made. We have to reevaluate our perspective. Being uninvolved and donating a little bit of money does not fulfill Jesus' mandate to his followers! Barna states that growth in our character and our Christian behavior only happens if we change our routines and approach to life. He continues, "God did not send Jesus to die so we might be comfortable and complacent, but so we might die to self, pick up our cross, and follow the way of the Master" (Revolution, page 41). Exactly!

We need to get busy - not just giving money or serving a few hours a year. We need to get busy doing what God designed us to do. He is always at work in people's lives and he invites us to join him. How do we do that? Well it helps to know who we are - more on that on Friday. For now, I just want to challenge you to think about the fact that only 25% does a little bit for someone else in a typical week. Are you in that 25%? If so, how are you helping out? If not, what keeps you from serving someone else?

Semper Vita, Cindy Patterson and the PNW Leadership Summit

Last Friday and Saturday (June 18-19, 2010), I attended the Leadership Summit of the Pacific Northwest Conference of the Free Methodist Church at Warm Beach Camp. I have attended this annual business meeting of the church for many years. They do a great job of incorporating worship, stories and reports of what God is doing in and through the churches located in Washington and Alaska. Why do I attend this summit? Well, I'm an ordained pastor (we call them elders) in the Free Methodist Church. I had the privilege of being ordained in 2006.

Thank you, Cindy!

This year, the leadership summit was very exciting for me because my friend, Cindy Patterson, was ordained. She's worked very hard and studied for quite a few years. Last Saturday was her big day. She was ordained. And, she chose me to be her supporting elder. What an honor! "Thank you, Cindy!" Cindy is not only my friend and fellow pastor, she's also a volunteer who is making Semper Vita happen. Her skills are in operations. Her passion is to be the hands and feet of Jesus to people in the community. Being ordained only confirms that she's been serving God in many ways—demonstrating Jesus' love through service.

Thank you, Matt & Jim!

Though the ordination service was the highlight of the two days, there was another exciting moment for me and Semper Vita. I had the opportunity to share about Semper Vita with my fellow Free Methodist pastors. I currently do not serve at a local church. The denomination has released me to lead Semper Vita. And, now I had the opportunity to share what I've been working on for 3+ years. Thankfully, it was well received. It's exciting to be part of a denomination that believes in the mission and vision of Semper Vita. The superintendent, Matt Whitehead, and the assistant superintendent, Jim Harbour, have been very encouraging over the years. "Thank you, Matt & Jim!"

Thank you, Teresa!

Another Free Methodist volunteer is Teresa Lerew. She attended all my workshops at the Northwest Ministry Conference last March. Since then, she has volunteered to help get Semper Vita off the ground in Auburn, where she attends the Auburn Free Methodist Church. Teresa currently is helping us to reach out to non-profits in and around Auburn so that we can make Semper Vita active there. "Thank you, Teresa!"

So Close to Realizing the Semper Vita Dream!

3.75 years and counting!

It's been three years and nine months since God laid this vision and concept on my heart. Much has happened - both with Semper Vita and in my personal life. Answering a call from God is an adventure with significant highs and lows. Obstacles litter the path that follows God's call. Suffering is part of the journey.

Often this truth is not told to prospective Christians or even good church-going folks: Faith requires courage and stamina. Following Jesus is hard. Researcher and author George Barna states that the kind of people who radically follow Jesus (he calls them Revolutionaries) recognize that there is a huge price to pay in this lifetime—but they are mindful of the eternal pay-off as well" (Revolution, page 15). I guess I'm a revolutionary...but I'm not alone!

It takes a volunteer team!

To make Semper Vita become a reality has required a volunteer team that lives out their call and faith with the same commitment and stamina. One such volunteer is Tamara Dull. Do you know that she has quit her well-paying job to guide the completion of our software application? That's crazy, right? Well, maybe. She's sure that is what God has called her to do.

We are in the final stages of completing the software application. Tamara's been shepherding the process and working long hours with our developer. She can't wait for this project to be over because she needs to get back to work and receive a paycheck!  She's also created our new marketing site and set up our blogs...this is one of them. The other is On The Front Porch with Semper Vita. She's recruited Bree Baich to co-author the On The Front Porch blog.

When you visit them on the front porch, you'll be able to hear and tell stories: "Stories about people helping people. Stories about churches doing great things in the community. Stories about non-profits and churches banding together to serve the community." Check it out for yourself and join the conversation on the porch!

Besides Tamara, there are many others who have donated hours, time and energy to make Semper Vita happen. More volunteer stories later!

Why?

That begs the question: "Why are people giving so much time and energy to Semper Vita?" Well, it's a call. It's a passion. It's the work of God in our lives! Semper Vita exists not for itself or for us. It exists to:

• help people give back and live their passion
• help organizations accomplish their mission
• help the church be the church
• practically demonstrate the love of Jesus to all people

Join us on the journey!

How about you? Do you have a story? Do you have a question? Are you ready to jump in and make a difference with us? Please leave a comment, tell us your (volunteer) stories or share your adventures. Thanks for journeying with us!

From Henriet to Semper Vita and Back

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. Ecclesiastes 3:1, 1:9

Gone and back

Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes that there is a season for everything. He also said that everything that has been will be again.

Well, this blog demonstrates the wisdom of Solomon. Once upon a time (June 29, 2008), I said "goodbye" from Henriët's Blog and moved my writing to the Semper Vita blog. At that time, I thought it was final. Apparently, I'm not as smart as Solomon was! Why do I say that—besides the obvious? Because I'm moving again...back to the future...back to Henriët's Blog. This new Henriët's Blog is part of the Semper Vita website.

What changes? You'll still read about Semper Vita, missional and incarnational living, leadership, and spiritual insights. You'll also read a bit more about, well...me—since it is "Henriët's Blog." Hopefully, you'll join me on the journey, participate in the discussion and jump into Semper Vita—either as a volunteer, partner or supporter.

I can't wait to go forward together and discover what God has in store on the way ahead! Can I count on you to travel along with me? Will you share your insights, Jesus sightings and wisdom with me and all of us? Thank you in advance for being part of the bigger story!