This week I am in Austria with my natural and “spiritual” family for our annual “Every Nation Western&Central Europe senior pastors fellowship week” – its quite a mouthful but the idea is simple: Investing in relationships; having a relaxed environment where senior pastors can be themselves and encourage one another. (And yes, we do get some skiing done…my off-piste snowboarding has been awesome this week – I’ll post a photo or two next week)
Sometimes there are questions asked about whether just “spending time together” is a good investment of time and money in the ministry. Looking around this group of senior pastors from Ireland, England, Sweden, Hungary, Austria, Germany, Sweden, Poland, Croatia, and knowing what pressures they and their families face, I am absolutely convinced of the value of this week. Having a common vision is one thing, but how much better if we also have strong supporting relationships on this journey. I highly value the friends I have in the Every Nation family here in Europe and around the world, and I highly value the relationships we have in London as we seek to be a part of what God is doing in the earth today. “Love one another” is not just a dry commandment, but an instruction pointing to the richest way to doing life: Together.
Yesterday I took one of the teenagers onto an off-piste section on our snow-boards, and after one particularly radical section she screamed: “WOW – now I know why I started snow-boarding!!” When I look around at all the amazing people with whom I am privileged to do life with, I say: “WOW – Now I know why I signed up for this!”
Whatever you do, my prayer is that you will seek not only to find your purpose, but also to find your people, and have a rhythm of life that allows time to invest in the relationships that make the journey worth it.
Wolfi's View from London 
Hi Wolfi,
We miss you, the family and EN! Luckily Simon and Shirley are coming to visit us at the end of March. Anyway, I thought I would share this as I really found it an encouragement and a reflection of the great attitude that people have while serving in EN London!
A JOB . . . or A MINISTRY?
In the Church some people have a job, others have a ministry.
What is the difference?
If you are doing it because no-one else will, it’s a job.
If you are doing it to serve the Lord, it’s a ministry.
If you quit because someone criticizes you, it’s a job.
If you keep on serving, it’s a ministry.
If you do it only if it doesn’t interfere with other activities, it’s a job.
If you’re committed to it, though it means letting go of other things,
It’s a ministry.
If you quit because no-one praises or thanks you, it’s a job.
If you stay with it (even without recognition), it’s a ministry.
If your concern is success, it’s a job.
If your concern is faithfulness, it’s a ministry.
An average church is filled with people doing jobs.
A great growing church is people doing ministry.
If you have a job, give it up and find a ministry.
God does not want us being stuck with a job, but excited and faithful to Him in ministry.
God bless,
Sergio