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5% Principle

Leadership Development, Local Limelight, regional review

Sep 082011

I think it timely I share a lesson I’ve been re- learning as we begin a new ministry year.

I tend to live life at 110%; I struggle with finding and MAINTAINING balance in life. After the Great East Japan Earthquake, I threw myself into relief efforts. This was no surprise to those who know me. I also continued with my PWOC responsibilities (local and regional). It happened subtly – I lost sight of the 5% principle, relationships began to suffer, and I needed REST.

Wayne Cordeiro, in Leading on Empty states, “If you and I are going to enjoy healing and rest at our very core, we must discover and discern the top 5 percent of life.” P 77. 85% of what we do, anyone can do. Many of these tasks can be delegated (I

NVOLVE women in the work). 10% of what we do someone with training should be able to do. 5% of what I do; only I can do! I won’t be held accountable for all the needs around me. I will be held accountable for this 5% – for what I’ve accomplished of what HE has asked me to accomplish.

What are my 5% activities? What would a life focused on 5% look like? Do I truly elevate this 5% above the other 95% of my activities? The higher I elevate the importance of this 5 percent the easier it is for me to make choices which honor these God-given priorities. I can’t find someone to take my place in these activities because they require my presence. How I live the 5% validates the other 95% of my life.

I made some painful choices. I had to recharge, reflect and restructure. I have challenged our local PWOC board to consider their personal 5% as well as our corporate 5%. This has created freedom and excitement as we follow the passions God has given each of us. Simplicity has become an oft repeated battle cry in Misawa (though new activities have begun).

I share my 5% to assist as you evaluate your 5%.

A whole-hearted, extravagant, lavish, passionate, intimate relationship with Jesus Christ

A vibrant relationship with Michael
An authentic family – close to God and one another

mentoring my children
educating my children
caring for my family
FIGHTING for this connection to remain strong, not fatalistically assuming we’ll grow apart as children leave home

A physically healthy body and creative soul
Taking time to enjoy family and friends
A God-pleasing ministry

Teaching/ mentoring women
inviting women to a deeper relationship with Jesus
someday this may well include more missions/relief efforts

Submitted by D’Etta Goecker, Asia Region President

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When a Dream is Realized

Local Limelight

Jul 082011

Submitted by De’Etta Goecker, Asia Region President

Did you hear the excitement in America and Europe on June 26th?

One and a half years ago Asia Region was “stood up”. At W.I.L.D. 2011 we saw the dream of a “region” realized visually. EACH and EVERY Asian installation, with a PWOC, was represented at WILD. We were all in one room praising God TOGETHER, as a PWOC Region, for the first time – and it was good!

Ch. Pace has been a God-send for Asia Region. As he moves to his next assignment, his wise mentoring and encouragement - and the fun way in which he dispenses it – will be missed. Join me in praying for Ch. Pace’s PCS.

Feedback from training has been positive. Remember, this is only the start of training. We will be posting links to further training opportunities from PWOCI. Facebook network groups from Presidents, Spiritual Life VP and Program VPs exist for your benefit. Regionally, the President’s yahoo group established last year continues to provide regional networking. More regional yahoo groups are in the start up phase. If you have questions about these opportunities email AsiaPresident@pwoc.org.

In addition to training, each board was commissioned – set apart and sent out – as they begin their year of Kingdom service. As faithful knights, we will courageously follow the the heart of our King, fighting for His heart in enemy territory.

We believe there will be fruit for the kingdom from the spiritual work done at Asia W.I.L.D. 2011. Thanks for all the prayers said on our behalf. I would be remiss not to also thank our chaplains for providing funds for their ladies to travel to W.I.L.D. – 50% flew over an ocean to attend.

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Never Forgotten

Local Limelight

Jun 092011

Submitted by Meredith Cooper, Europe Region Financial Liaison

There are feelings I associate with the arrival of each season, and summer is no exception. With the recent arrival of Memorial Day, I start to feel a tendency toward all things patriotic. And, it doesn’t start and stop with Memorial Day. After all, we still have Independence Day just around the corner. And, Flag Day!

When Memorial Day begins to roll around you hear many people say that we need to take the time to remember what our patriotic holidays are all about – after all, it’s not really about the cookouts and days off of work, right? It’s really about taking a moment to be thankful for all who have died for our freedom.

This year, however, something occurred to me. It is really important to remember the sacrifices of those who died for our freedom. But, they aren’t here anymore. Here in Europe, we have a plethora of military memorials and cemeteries to visit, and it is stirring to do so. Last year on Memorial Day, our family visited the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial in Margraten, Netherlands to place flags on the graves of our fallen. Not only was it moving to see the endless rows of men who died for their country, but it was equally inspiring to see the numbers of Dutch who routinely care for the graves of their liberators.

But, again, these patriots are gone. We can’t actually thank them for their service to our nation. So, how can we really pay tribute to their sacrifices? James 1:27 says, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress…”

As women who are part of a greater Protestant Women of the Chapel ministry, many of us have been affected by the deaths of fellow active duty service-members or those who have served with our spouses. All of these circumstances have been tragic, and we have pledged to do what we could to help the spouses and children suffering as their loved ones were taken suddenly. But, as time goes on, how many of us really fulfill the pledges that we made to check in on our friends and make sure that we could provide comfort in the midst of their ongoing sorrow?

We are in the midst of serving our country during a long war. We proudly do what we can to serve during this time. But, there is a lot of suffering going on around us. There are women who are spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically exhausted. There is no greater way that we can honor those who have died for their country, or those who are continuing to serve far from home, than taking care of those left behind.

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Consider Streamlining Hospitality

Local Limelight

Jun 032011

Every PWOC is different, and for some the “food” component of Bible study is challenging. Here’s a fun, alternate idea: Instead of offering weekly snacks, consider having a coffee, tea & smoothie bar. You might have renewed interest in volunteerism with this “coffeehouse” spin-off as well!

Do you have any ideas about this? Click HERE and tell us.

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Time to Get out of the Way

Leadership Development, Local Limelight

Jun 022011

After completing the W.I.L.D. training last year I sat in a Chapel classroom with two other board members and cried. I felt so overwhelmed and unprepared for the position I had been selected for as President of the Eielson PWOC. The weight of every woman on Eielson suddenly sat on my shoulders. I was very new to PWOC. I had been a part of our Women’s Ministry at our home church in San Antonio TX, so I was not sure where this overwhelmed feeling was coming from. I even met with our Chaplain to explain why I did not feel I was the gal for the job, leading other women in their walk when my walk was littered with junk and so many flaws. Who am I? How would I be used? Why would I be used?

We are daughters of the Lord, shortcomings, junk and flaws. We try and wear our “big girl” panties and do it our own way. Then we are surprised when we fall short. We need Christ every step of the way. I know this, I believe this, and yet time and time again I try and do it my way and consult with Him from time to time. I wonder…hum why do I feel overwhelmed? He did not intend for me to just check in, He wants to be leading the way and wants my complete submission as His plans have been laid out for each of us. Yet I compare our local installation with others and we need only 2 bible studies, we have monthly fellowship and we fit in a service project. Never feeling as though it was enough.

We need to get back to basics. God did not give His Son to save us from our sins for us to continue to do life on our own. Eielson PWOC is a small group because that is exactly what His intentions were for us this year. There is no shame or failure in being small. So, I do I feel those things…well because living in the flesh and not the Spirit messes with our life. Satan loves to do the dance when we are beating ourselves up. Because then he thinks he has a small or even a large victory! Well, I say get behind me Satan because I am a daughter of Christ and you have no place in this body! GET OUT!!

God is so patient with each of us. He waits patiently for us to get out of the way. I believe there is a reason we were so small. I believe He has been very intentional and His timing is perfect. There is a reason we do not have a selected board for next year because HE is still setting it into place. His timing is perfect and ours is not. There is a reason square pegs do not fit into round holes. I believe that it is easy for us to get caught up in meeting the expectation of others and we miss seeking His expectation for our lives and our ministry. We get caught up in the guidelines and rules and we don’t hear Him. We are….I am so worried about letting others down that I miss that I am not shining in the light of HIS glory.

As I stated earlier we do not have a board for next year. He breaks the pot, turns it back into clay and He shapes the clay. This is not an easy process but know HE is bigger. So big that He shows up at a small soccer field in Fairbanks AK to remind me that He has a plan for my life, for your life and for PWOC. There are seasons of brokenness that we go through so that He can rebuild us. It is uncomfortable and painful, however the reward is an amazing gift. He CAN make a square peg into a round peg when it is time. Are you willing? I am and He is patiently waiting for each of us.

Peace

Kim, Alaska Region

“And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. An the Father who knows all hearts knows that the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory. What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his won Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one – for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one -for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.”

Romans 8: 26 – 34

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Consider an Evening PWOC Bible Study

Local Limelight

May 272011

Many PWOCs host weekday Bible studies, but this often excludes women such as active duty soldiers. Pray about the unique needs at your installation, and consider hosting an evening Bible study. Depending on your crowd, you might even offer dinner and/or childcare.

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Serving the Local Community

Local Limelight

Apr 082011

Perhaps you’ve heard it said that “they don’t care what you know until they know that you care.” Here are a couple of fun, easy ways to reach into the lives of women within PWOC and the surrounding community. Consider building a team, or teams, who are willing to offer their time and talents to help with home decorating, organic gardening, cooking lessons, etc. Any of these could be great projects for your local Outreach Coordinator, or anyone who has a passion in these areas, to organize.

Tell us what your local PWOC is doing!

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Developing Life Skills

Local Limelight, Resources

Apr 012011

His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.

2 Peter 1:3

Many women today are hungry for practical, hands-on skills, as evidenced by the resurgence in trends such as canning, bread baking, organic gardening, knitting and more. The women of PWOC have a lot to offer in these areas. In lieu of, or in addition to, a traditional monthly program with a guest speaker, consider hosting a “How To” workshop in a community location. This will provide an opportunity to serve the surrounding community, and let a broader audience meet the women of PWOC.

Tell us what your local PWOC is doing!

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Local limelight is published every Friday. For comments and submissions please email the Blog Manager.

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Create a Good F.I.T

Local Limelight

Mar 252011

“We Are Workers Together for Christ” –PWOC Motto

Ft. Riley has a tremendous program in place to develop future Bible study leaders, who are called FITS – Facilitators in Training. In this set-up, current teachers are paired up with FITS, who might function as an administrator for the class, and substitute when needed. This is a great way to give confidence to those who think they might like to teach but lack the confidence, or those who are young or new in Christ and looking to add “tools” to their spiritual toolbox. This same concept can be cross-applied to other jobs within PWOC, adding assistants to current positions, or breaking jobs town into smaller pieces to allow everyone to participate and feel a sense of belonging. This also helps fulfill the 3^rd and 4^th Aims of PWOC, to develop women’s gifts and involve them in chapel work.

Tell us what your local PWOC is doing!

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Local Limelight is posted Friday of every week. Please send comments and any testimonies to Blog Manager

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Create a Coffee House Hour

Local Limelight

Mar 182011

Submitted by Jenn Cook, PWOCI 3VP Communications

Starting your morning PWOC with coffee & chat time can be a great way to build relationships and friendships. One PWOC, in an effort to bridge the generations for God’s glory, provides coffee and snacks (with paid childcare) from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m., with regular PWOC beginning at 9:00 a.m. This move has led to many meaningful conversations where unofficial mentoring, discipleship, and “spiritual mothering” have taken place. Perhaps this idea, or some variation, could be useful for your PWOC.

Tell us what your local PWOC is doing!

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PWOC International Blog

5% Principle

When a Dream is Realized

Never Forgotten

Consider Streamlining Hospitality

Time to Get out of the Way

Consider an Evening PWOC Bible Study

Serving the Local Community

Developing Life Skills

Create a Good F.I.T

Create a Coffee House Hour

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