Finding your vineyard

Recently I spoke at Riccarton Community Church about vineyards. For those of you who aren’t churchy, (or who may be starting to think that I’ve spent a bit too long in a vineyard myself), this is because vineyards and agriculture are major themes in the Bible. Basically they are usually a symbol of the calling of each person to work in and nurture an area of need in this world.

For me personally, I know that my vineyard is taking care of people leaving prison in my home city of Christchurch. I truly believe that by working hard in my role as Pathway Prison Reintegration Manager released prisoners lives will get better, and as a result, they can be agents of positive rather than negative change in our city and our country.

I’ve worked in this vineyard for a long time and because of that I’ve had the privilege of seeing the fruit of mine and my colleagues hard graft over many years. People do change, lives do get better and families can have improved outcomes. It makes keeping going easier.

That’s my patch, and of course, I’m always looking for people to support Pathway’s work. However, it might not be yours.

If you’re not sure what you have to give, or where best to put your energy and resources it’s important to find out. Here are three tools that could help:

• Figure out your strengths - There are lots of ways to do this. One of the most insightful and useful tools that I have come across is Strengths Finder http://www.strengthsfinder.com/home.aspx. You take the test, find out your top areas of strength and then go see a local Strengths Finder coach or read the book to find out how you can better use your natural giftings.
• Consider the needs of your immediate community - Take some time to research the actual areas of needs in your community. What are people struggling with? Is the environment OK? What are the most important things that need to change in order to improve your neighbourhood?
• Take stock of your resources - What do you have to give and where would it have the most impact? Do you have, or could you make, time to invest in a person or a cause? Do you have money you could give and where would it make the biggest impact? Can you offer friendship to someone who needs it? Everyone has something of value.

If you think you would like to help out Pathway, visit http://www.pathway.org.nz/give-financially/ to find out about the different ways you can lend your support.

If you’re still stuck, Pathway partners with some great organisations such as 0800 HUNGRY, Drug Arm, Pillars or Kingdom Resources who are often looking for volunteers and donors.

Really, the most important thing is to GET IN THE GAME somehow. Join in somewhere and if it doesn’t work out, go help somewhere else. It’s good for you and it’s good for our society. So….

Where is your vineyard?

Written by Carey Ewing and Jo Taylor-de Vocht.