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I’ve often wondered about that Innkeeper.  The one who got a midnight door-knock 2000 years ago.  What was his frame of mind?  What was his heart posture in the urgent matter of a young pregnant couple looking for lodging during the crowded census season?  St. Luke’s otherwise wonderful account of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem doesn’t give us a clue one way or the other. 

Perhaps this was the innkeeper’s tone:  “It’s late, you should have planned better, can’t you see we’re full … go sleep with the animals if you dare.”  Or did it go more like this: “I see your predicament, I’m really sorry, I want to help, let me put on my thinking cap … we can probably make a decent space with the animals, at least it’s warm and dry.”

October 2011

It's been 15 years since Salem Leadership Foundation officially opened its office doors. (To be precise, it was a garage door in our small West Salem rental!)  "SLF" was the Board + Sam as we embarked on our journey of  'Building Bridges.'  Many things have changed in Salem-Keizer in the past 15 years.  Some good, some not.  We can say with confidence, however, that two things are quite different. 

First, there is no longer a gulf between the Community and the Church Community.  Fifteen years ago it was huge.  The key sectors of our community didn't know how to engage the churches, and the churches were not geared for partnering up.  It was not a hostile environment.  But neither the civic leaders nor the clergy considered the churches a viable partner for collaboration.

November 2011

There was a time when Thanksgiving-to-Christmas was the “Great Month of Benevolence.”  Both for the community at large, and the church community in particular. 

To an extent, it still is.  Vast tonnage of food, clothing, and Christmas gifts are collected and distributed during this season.  Such kindness is treasured by folks in need.  But ‘stuff’ during ‘the holidays’ is not an effective long-term strategy for helping kids, families and people thrive.

I’ve told this story before … about the formerly-homeless nursing consultant who lamented: “When I was living in a motel I didn’t need a ham, I needed a friend.  It’s not too hard to find food.  It’s near impossible to find somebody who will be there through the car break-downs, the overdue utility bills and the doctor visits.  If someone had simply been willing to watch my daughter when I was working two jobs and taking night classes, I’d have become self-sufficient  in two years instead of six.” 

She went on to say, “If the churches were serious about helping people get out of homelessness and other harmful situations, they would offer friendship in addition to the food basket.”  It wasn’t a criticism.  It was a heartfelt plea.  It also proved to be prophetic.

September 2011

The response was both humbling and heart-warming. When we announced our SLF Staff Furlough at the beginning of August, we didn’t know what to expect. We just knew we needed to do something bold to help reduce SLF’s expenses, even as we forged a plan to increase our income (report below).

We decided that candid transparency was the way to go; Lord’s will be done. First it was emails. Then hand-written notes. Phone messages. The swell of encouragements and wellwishes took us by surprise. They were followed by a mosaic of helpful offers, ranging from free meals and office space to a copier and valuable artwork. One of our donor-families promptly sent their 2012 and 2013 pledges in. Other donors gave on top of what they’d already given at the Fancy Dessert in May. Friends from near and far dropped gifts in the mail, or gave through our website’s donation button. One donor provided gas and grocery-store gift cards for staff and families. THANK YOU!

Hats off to Andy Lane, our former SLF colleague and current director of the Salem Interfaith Hospitality Network, as he is one of the Statesman Journal's "Top 20 Under 40."   SLF salutes all 20 honorees and those who were nominated in the SJ's annual poll.  Click HERE to see Andy's profile.

NOTE:  This month’s news is very important; we appreciate the opportunity to share candidly with you.

Fifteen years ago—August 1996—Jennifer and I began packing for the move from Seattle to Salem.  The interviews were over, the offer was accepted, and the first-ever SLF fundraiser was set for early September.  It was a high-stakes event … the fledgling SLF Board and I needed to match a $30,000 challenge grant to fund Year 1.  If we fell one dollar short, the match would not kick in.

We had a great model.  We had a great team.  All we needed was a burst of investment to carry the mission forward.  With the Lord’s help, we rallied together with 30 generous couples and raised the matching money with $1,120 to spare.  SLF was off the ground.

Today, we find ourselves in a similar situation. A great (and proven!) model.  A great team.  And a generous family of supporters which has grown … and includes most of those 30 original couples.   Even so, we’re in a position where—as in 1996—we need to rally.  Just like then, we need a burst of investment to carry the mission forward.

The Search Insititue (faith-based) has made popular their 40 Developmental Assets.  These are essential qualities kids need to grow up healthy and well-adjusted.  It's no surprise that 'knowing the neighbors' and 'building relationships with families' is a strong asset.  SLF strongly believes that if churches and people reached out to their neighbors, Salem-Keizer will become the healthiest community in Oregon--truly the City of Shalom.  Here are some great ideas for parents, kids, and families to build neighborhood relationships.  Enjoy!

CLICK HERE

Here is the story of an inspiring ministry that started because a church wanted to serve its neighborhood.