APEPAV’S INTERESTS

Our Interests

Just for Our Own Good and Advantage

Helping The Community

Community service is exactly what it sounds like services that you do to benefit your community. If that sounds a little broad, it’s because it is — community service can take a lot of different forms since there’s so much you can do to help folks out in your area.

But that might leave you wondering where to start. (Spoiler alert: this is where you start!) We’ve put together a list of community service project ideas, organized by what you’ll be doing. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. often spoke of a Beloved Community–-one that requires acts of service based on justice and equal opportunities.

Whether that’s collecting, teaching, volunteering, or something else, you should be able to find something to inspire you to get out there and do.

Teach Things to Your Community:

We’ve all got things that we’re good at, so why not share those skills with others? If teaching feels a little intimidating at first, try using these tips for teaching anything to anyone.

Help kids with their homework.
Teach underclassmen safe social media practices.
Give free music lessons.
Coach a youth sports team.
Educate beachgoers about sustainability.
Teach adults in your life internet skills.
Give a seminar on driving safety.
Teach CPR (after getting certified).
Help English language learners practice conversation.
Teach people how to register to vote.

Fix Things in Your Community:

If you see a problem in your community, consider doing something about it! Sometimes the best service we can do in the places we love is to take care of them.

Start a little, free library.
Place campfire safety plaques near campsites.
Clean up your local park.
Beautify your area with seed bombs.
Help a neighbor or community org paint a fence or building.
Spruce up a run-down playground.
Help your neighbors with repairs.
Offer to patch up clothes and stuffed toys.
Organize books at the library.
Give IT help to local adults.

Learning from Other People’s and Organization’s Ideas

Technology is disrupting every industry and area of life, and work is no exception. One of the main career implications of the digital revolution is a shift in demand for human expertise. For instance, LinkedIn’s talent research shows that half of today’s most in-demand skills weren’t even on the list three years ago.

As a result, there is now a premium on intellectual curiosity and learnability, the desire and ability to quickly grow and adapt one’s skill set to remain employable. What you know is less relevant than what you may learn, and knowing the answer to questions is less critical than having the ability to ask the right questions in the first place. Unsurprisingly, employers such as Google, American Express, and Bridgewater Associates make learning an integral part of their talent management systems. As a Bersin report pointed out: “The single biggest driver of business impact is the strength of an organization’s learning culture.”

However, true learning cultures, defined by CEB as “a culture that supports an open mindset, an independent quest for knowledge, and shared learning directed toward the mission and goals of the organization,” are still the exception rather than the norm. Recent research found that only 10% of organizations have managed to create them, with just 20% of employees demonstrating effective learning behaviors at work. Research by Bersin examined the issue of learning culture in great detail and found that companies who effectively nurture their workforce’s desire to learn are at least 30% more likely to be market leaders in their industries over an extended period of time.

Here are four science-based recommendations to help you create a learning culture on your team or in your organization:

Reward continuous learning
Give meaningful and constructive feedback
Lead by example
Choose curious people

What does the Bible say about fitness?

Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever” (1 Timothy 4:7b-8, MSG). IT TAKES DISCIPLINE TO BE HEALTHY Avoid compulsions (including with food) of all kinds to honor God “‘Everything is permissible for me’ – but not everything is beneficial.

God is more concerned with our spiritual well-being and the condition of our spiritual hearts than He is with our physical well-being. This is why Paul told Timothy that physical training has some value, …

Should a Christian exercise? What does the Bible say about health?

Trends regarding physical health have been coming and going for years. Particularly in American culture, there is no shortage of diet fads. Many of these emphasize nutrition, whereas others have more to do with exercise style or routines. Our culture is also interested in health research and the latest findings about what extends life expectancy or what causes certain illnesses. Some are caught up in these fads and make health or fitness an idol; their lives and sense of self revolve around how they look. Others completely ignore medical findings and live as they desire, harming their bodies in the process. No matter the individual reaction, it seems that we are fascinated by health and spend quite a bit of time and money striving for physical fitness. So what does the Bible have to say about health?

First Corinthians 6:19-20 says, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” First Timothy 4:7b-8 says, “Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” These two verses are a beautiful illustration of the Bible’s balanced view regarding health. Our bodies are of value to God. He cares not only about our souls but also about our bodies.