Volunteers

I’m a people-watcher.  You know, one of those who doesn’t mind a wait in a crowded airport because there is a never-ending procession of interesting people and stories to be played out.  I’ve learned a lot about our SFBC Volunteers recently, just by watching.  They go above and beyond, which is an ideal not always achieved for paid staff let alone those whose every minute is precious and freely given, with no expectation of human recompense.

In the thought-provoking quiet of the First Sunday, as I watch our Deacons serve communion, my heart is overwhelmed with gratitude for what our Lord did for us.  And in those moments of reflection I am humbly aware of the godly men that the Lord has called to shepherd us.  Volunteers, each one.  Men with families, jobs, heartaches, joys, struggles and victories; men with busy schedules and active families.  Faithful men, serving with loving diligence, not only on Sunday morning but often late on weeknights in obligation to the various committees and other ministries in which they serve.

Children’s Ministries is another area where people watching reveals sweet insights.  During a recent emergency procedures drill, I heard not one complaint from Volunteers shuffling rambunctious grade-schoolers, reticent toddlers, gawking preschoolers, or crying babies.  Each was tending their flock, even in the heavy drizzle of a cool Oregon morning.  Another day I saw an Awana secretary play in a corner with a child who just couldn’t maintain in a group, and another Awana volunteer speak so tenderly to a child who was out of control.  I watch the love of Christ manifest itself on a daily basis.

How many of us are aware on Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings how carefully our Security Team watches out for us?  From kindly rousting homeless campers out of flower beds to attentively watching the crowds for potential issues, they roam the campus, week after week.

My people-watching catches the love on the face or in the tender touch and words of someone working with a child.  A volunteer “Nurse on Duty” recently blessed me beyond measure by solicitously tending one of our widows who felt very shaky and frightened.  And this doesn’t begin to mention those who work with youth or visit shut-ins.  There might be a few who consider volunteering a drudgery to be avoided when possible or endured when not.  But the joy of serving is so evident in most of those I encounter, and we are blessed beyond measure; surely the blessing of eternal reward cannot even be weighed!  Thank you, SFBC Volunteers!

Sherri Sperling
Children's Ministries Director

More Than a Concession Stand

Most of us, when asked, are willing to serve in just about any area as long as fear doesn’t take over.  As an example, almost anyone is willing to volunteer to run a concession stand for Upward Basketball; yet very few would say their heart's desire is to serve as a referee.  But how many of us when we serve are really tied into the mission and vision of our church?  Better yet, how many of us as we go around our daily lives are completely in tune with the mission and vision of Jesus?   What was His mission?  To seek and save the lost.  If you’re like me, it’s easy to sleep walk through entire sections of a day or week with no awareness of the mission that Christ has us on.  Unless I put myself on mission first thing in the morning the tyranny of the urgent quickly presses me. 

Last week I observed something special happen at an Upward Concession stand.  One of our members was selling hot dogs.  Normally this would be a simple transaction to give a hot dog and take a buck. In this instance, I saw engagement in the mission.  “How long have you been involved in Upward?” “What do you love about it?" “Do you have a church you worship at?” Ah, the art of asking questions!  Getting outside my own bubble and caring about someone else. Isn’t this what Jesus wants?  For us to take more than a passing interest in others?  For some of you this comes naturally.  You are wired for relationships and you gain energy by reaching out, connecting, and having conversations.  Others are more reserved and need to be prompted by the Holy Spirit.  As the hot dog buying couple replied to my friend, “We live in Keizer, but we’ve been commuting to a church in Portland for 4 years,” he was able to offer a simple, sincere invite to come join us at one of our weekend services.  Whether they come and become involved in our local fellowship for our mutual growth and edification isn’t really the point.  My friend looked beyond a hot dog.  He peered over the concession stand counter.  He saw a couple that are deeply loved by Jesus and that perhaps may join a local fellowship in the community in which they live.  The mission of Salem First Baptist Church is to bring people into a life changing relationship with God and each other.  I would say the Upward concession stand is as good a place as any to live that mission out. 

Kudos to all of you around the city living the mission each day.  May God strengthen you by His mighty hand.  May His Spirit guide you into each interaction and conversation He wants.  May your life continue to be transformed into His image so that He can use you to transform the culture of our city to more closely reflect God’s heart.
--Pastor Nate

New Things

My sister is new to the northwest and it has been so fun listening to her “discover” all the new things God has for her family here.  She gets excited about the buds on the trees, changing seasons, the birds coming to her backyard, the bulbs she is planting, the neighbors down the street, the restaurants she’s never been to.  It is all so new – she see’s them as God’s gifts and revelations.  He’s a good, good Father.

Have you noticed the digging on the north property? Something new is going on! Have you noticed the daffodils and new growth popping up on Liberty?  Something new is going on!  Have you noticed a number of new faces passing you on Sunday morning?  Something new is going on!  Have you noticed a friend praying for another in the Commons?  Something new is going on!  Have you noticed your heart yearning for more of Jesus?  Something new is going on!

Life is happening at Salem First … transformation is occurring … bodies are being re-shaped … God’s heart is seen and felt.  It is an exciting time to be in the family of God.  In our church we have seen growth in new members’ classes, increased number of baptisms (young and old), more and more names written in the Lamb’s Book of Life – all represent new life.  Men and women continue to join Bible study, community life groups and individual discipling relationships -- we are seeing the Word change a life – that’s transformation. 

Faith and trust demonstrated by commitment and follow-through are the hallmark of expanding our influence in the community. The Rest Stop, the North Property, Upward, Sports Camp, Angel Tree are just a few ministries that go across the street and beyond our doors to impact our city.  As a church we have believed God for these things and have followed through supporting them financially, prayerfully and with our time and energy.  God has honored that faith and commitment.  Our community is being reshaped.

And, while that is happening, life within is also being relived as ministry to one another is shared … powerful prayer and praise for healing, comforting fellowship and hospitality, care for practical needs, accountability, coming alongside the broken and hurting, and dynamic worship to His glory.  We are experiencing and sharing the heart of God.  His purposes are being fulfilled.

In very similar ways I believe God is transforming me.  Spending time focusing on Isaiah 43:19 I believed God wanted to do something new in me. I asked questions, I prayed, I searched scripture and dialoged with His people.  God is doing that new thing:  fulfilling His dreams for me, accomplishing His purposes and changing my heart.

Has He cracked the door open to give you a peek?  Has He popped a head up ready to burst forth? Has He allowed you to discover an idea you did not know?  Has HE made a way where there was no way?  Isaiah 43:19 says, “Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it will spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” 

When the caterpillar crawls into his cocoon, it must seem to his caterpillar friends that he is gone.  But, to us of larger vision, in due time, we see the beautiful butterfly emerge from a seemingly lifeless enclosure.  Now he no longer crawls upon the ground, but flies freely above it, making his home in God’s creation.  If this is God’s plan for such a small creature, how much greater it must be for Salem First!

What is God up to in YOU?  Will you stand on tiptoe with me to see what “new thing” God wants to do? I hope so, for we have a good, good Father. 
--Janice Adams