Apathy and the Wilderness

Luke 5:16 (ASV)
But he withdrew himself in the deserts, and prayed.

Apathy is the death of man’s spiritual relationship with God. It happens when we stop caring, or find ourselves at a point in our lives where we are unfeeling. Have you been there before? It can be both terrifying and silent because we are often very good at faking it. We are often quite good at acting the part even when the heart isn’t in it.

I don’t mean to cast any doubts your way today or cause you to feel down…because there is hope in all of this! Sometimes this pathway of apathy leads directly to the wilderness. What do I mean by the wilderness? I don’t mean an empty lonely place full of strife and pain. When I say wilderness I am implying that there are times in which God is longing for us to draw closer to Him. If we are aware of this apathetic pathway we can take steps in the right direction.

Why did God lead His people into the wilderness in the first place? Through this dry and thirsty place God showed His chosen ones how they could fully rely on Him. He was present for them. He was (and still is) in love with His people. When they were in this barren wilderness the total acknowledgement that they needed help became completely apparent. Stepping onto this pathway of apathy is dangerous, but it can also lead us back to the wilderness and back to a right relationship with God.

Are you unfeeling today? Are you simply going through the motions in life right now? Sure the routine is somewhat rewarding but somehow you’ve lost that passion you once had. Perhaps it’s time to take a step into the wilderness once again and get reconnected with the Almighty. Apathy might be the death of man’s spiritual relationship with God…but it doesn’t have to be!

Taking time to stand before God without distractions of all kinds is absolutely necessary! If Jesus had to get away and commune with the Father what makes us think that we can simply ‘go it alone’? The truth of the matter is we cannot! The wilderness is calling…will you go? Will you take the time that your spirit and heart crave? Will you sacrifice some of your schedule in this day and give it completely to God so that He has your undivided attention? It’s not so much for His benefit but rather completely for our benefit and His renewal that we do this.

Go into your wilderness and meet with The Father, and over time you will find that every motion your body makes, every schedule that you keep matters to Him as well. He wants to be included in it all, He wants you to bring glory to Him in all things. But it begins with our time in the wilderness before Him.

August 19, 2013 0

Parenting Pt.3 “It Takes A Village”

A friend of mine reminded me recently that sometimes it takes a village to raise a child. And at times, dare I say, the village is better than the parent. Sometimes if the village wasn’t there the child would have a tougher path to walk.

What can the village (which is the church, neighbors, friends, family, teachers, Sunday school teachers…etc) do to help the child and the family? Dare I say that the village is vital. In fact the village is a necessary component to the parent!

What can the village do?:

1. Listen:

Be a listening ear to children. As mentioned in the first part of this conversation, sometimes a child’s home life isn’t the best. Perhaps their parents really suck at being parents. Perhaps there’s substance abuse at home. A lot takes place behind closed doors. To be a supportive village one has to be a good listener, in order to be a good listener one has to be available. Don’t just offer random advice to children who come to you, but actively engage in listening. Sometimes it’s not what the child is saying that speaks the loudest. Be sensitive but listen. I recall having numerous conversations with my Grandmother who was always a wonderful listener. Children growing up need this kind of support as well!

2. Engage and Challenge:

There were times when I was growing up that I would more readily listen to a teacher or a Sunday School teacher say something that my parents had been saying for years. Why is it that our children will actually hear it from an outsider or one of the ‘villagers’ before they will hear it from the parent? For whatever reason this is true. As a member of the village sometimes parents need you to reinforce what they’ve already been saying for it to finally click with the child. Be an engager with the children you have the opportunity to instruct. Challenge them, remind them of how to live consistently and faithfully. What you say, at times, carries more weight with a child than what their parents have already said. These children need to hear godly instruction and see consistency in you as well!

3. Safe Harbor

By this I mean, be the safe zone for the children in your ‘village’ that you have the opportunity to minister to. Have an open door policy. Let them know that though you’re not their parents you accept them for who they are and you will be there for them. Being there for a child is sometimes all that they need! It’s not that their parents are bad or abusive but rather it’s a place to come to get away from their parents and you have an opportunity to instruct and further develop them. Every child needs a safe harbor that they can go.

4. Pray for them.

People even members of the ‘village’ often underestimate the power of prayer. Prayer is a primary weapon not a secondary weapon. Use it. Let the child know that you are praying for them and allow them to share with you prayer concerns. Also this is a wonderful teaching opportunity that you have to instruct them as to how to pray. So not only are you actively engaging in prayer for them but you are showing them how to pray as well. This will further develop the child in the ways of God…which are vital for adulthood.

5. Visit their homes, befriend their parents

To be an engaged village one has to have a connection to the families. Be proactive in going to the homes of the children you are collectively raising. Get to know the parents for a couple of reasons. 1) so that you can understand better the child and 2) so that you can understand the parents and their style of parenting. Great things come of fellowship in the home setting. It’s a place where guards are let down and real connections are made. As a member of the ‘village’ you are only as engaging as how deep or shallow your connection with the family is. Meet the parents, understand what they are going through. Get to know if they are working 80 hour weeks and need some help to care for their kids. Get to understand the family dynamics and look for ways to come along side them on this journey.

Parents need you! The village is vital! Don’t let the parents or the children take advantage of you though, be wise while at the same time be available.

August 14, 2013 5

What Parents ARE saying to their kids, but shouldn’t

Sometimes it’s spoken out of anger. Other times it’s spoken out of selfishness. Many times it’s spoken because forethought wasn’t given. Let’s just lay it out there…sometimes parenting sucks. We, as wanna be parents, sometimes we completely and totally suck at it. There I’ve said it. Now that we are all on the same page let’s move on.

Yesterday we explored what parents should be saying to their children. Today let’s explore the things parents should not say to their children. I have a confession to make too. At times I have been guilty of saying the wrongs things to my children, so what I am writing right now comes from my own experience as a father of four beautiful children.

Here are a few things parents should avoid saying to our kids:

1. “I don’t have time right now.”

I’ve said this phrase, I was busy doing work and barely looked up at my child who was holding up a picture that they had drawn. They wanted to show me and I was so consumed with what I was doing that I uttered this phrase. When I realized what I had done I hugged my child and apologized. When we utter a phrase such as this what many children hear isn’t that we don’t have time right now but rather we don’t have time for them. It’s most likely unintentional and yes we all work and are busy, but be careful how you share your busy-ness with your child. Don’t utter something like this with frustrated exhalations don’t let them think that they are less important than the work you do. Your kids and your spouse are your first priorities after God.

2. “I Don’t Care”

This goes in step with the last one, but be mindful of how you express your frustrations with your children. When conversations or actions get out of hand parents, we can’t stoop to the child’s level and tell them like a friend “I don’t care!” We might do that with our words and even with our non-verbal communication of body language. Be careful how you express yourself and in how you conduct your body language. Your child needs your support in this world that seems to care less and less for the individual. You have to be a source of hope, love and acceptance with your children. Try not to utter “I don’t care” if at all possible, because in all likelihood you really do care so tell them that.

3. “Shut Up!”

This is a banned word in our household. It’s obviously impolite to say to one another and with it there is a sense that what a person says doesn’t matter. In the heat of an argument or a disagreement be mindful that words can hurt. ‘Shut up’ is one of those words. Parents, I know we want to hear from our children…and then there are times that we wished our children would be quiet. Select better words to say to rear your children other than ‘shut up’. It is not only rude but it carries with it a hostile approach which can be taken to mean what you have to say even outside of this argument is less important than what I have to say. We may feel that way in the heat of the moment, but we want to give value to our children don’t we? We want them to know that as they grow and mature what they have to say is important.

4. “I hate you!”

You may not even know you’ve said this phrase. In fact you may not have said it in so many words, yet your child has interpreted what you have said to mean ‘I hate you!‘ In the heat of anger you may say things like “I am extremely disappointed in you” or “How could you do such a thing“, or “I can’t even talk to you right now“. Kids sometimes misinterpret our anger and what we are saying to mean that they are despised and hated. Make sure you measure your disappointment and your anger with them. Let them know that what you are disappointed in are poor choices not your child. Help them understand that they are loved. Don’t for a moment allow them to think that you hate them. I know we as parents we don’t obviously hate our children but sometimes in the way that we act or conduct ourselves our children can interpret it to mean that they are hated.

5. “Why can’t you be like your brother or sister?”

Every child is unique and different. If you have more than one child it may be very tempting to compare them with one another…don’t do it! If every child is unique and different why in the world would you want your other children to become the same? We get frustrated with our kids, I know that to be true. Yet don’t let them think that you favor one over another. Don’t ask them “why can’t you be like your brother or sister?” What can happen is that the child you are talking to can become convinced that their identity is wrong or they begin to question if they are good enough. Young children even up to teenagers are still unsure of who they are. When we compare them we are in a way validating in them that their identity is in some way wrong. God made your child very uniquely, yes discipline them but don’t compare them. Make sure they feel your love and acceptance and help them to craft their God given identities into adulthood.

What am I saying?

Love your kids. Hug em. Don’t miss opportunities to teach them because you’re busy. Make sure your body language and your attitudes aren’t in conflict with what your mouth is saying. You have children who are like mold-able clay you can either help them become a beautiful vessel that God can use or you can dismiss them and let the world mold them. Be the best parent you can be and be mindful of what you say to your children. Also let them know that you’re not super parent, and you do make mistakes. Own up to those mistakes so that they can also see how to act and respond in maturity to missteps and mistakes of their own. Parenting isn’t easy, we will suck at it from time to time, but be encouraged we can do this!

August 14, 2013 1

What Parents aren’t saying to their kids

Like it or not our culture and society is progressing. Progressing where, well that remains to be seen. But if the trends are any indicators where we’re going may not look so good. I don’t mean to sound all ‘doom and gloom’ here but what exactly are parents teaching their kids these day? And on the flip-side what are they not saying to their kids?

History Lesson:

How and who teaches our kids makes a world of difference. Don’t believe me? The Warlords in Africa understand this notion. Why do you think they abduct young boys and recruit them for their armies? He who controls the youth controls the next generation. Right or wrong (and that last example is most definitely wrong) the principle is still constant and true. Who is responsible for instructing the youth of our next generation? The Parents!!! But what are the parents not saying any longer?

Here’s a list of a few things they aren’t saying:

1. NO!

Discipline has become inconsistent at best. Children are allowed to do more, stay up later, eat whatever they want and parents aren’t telling their children ‘NO’. Let me make a confession. As a parent of four children I think I know a little bit about kids. And if we as parents don’t tell them no when we know what is best for them they will begin to craft their own ideals and notions of right and wrong. I am the parent! You are the parent and we have to set boundaries for our children especially when they are young and in the formative stages of life! I’m not saying it’s too late for teenagers if you’ve never said ‘no’ to your child, but much of a child’s understanding of right and wrong begins when they are young. Say no, not just to say it, but when it applies to situations and circumstances that may endanger your child, when they act up or push the boundaries…have the guts to be consistent and say no. There are far too many lazy parents in our world today who just don’t have the time to tell their children no. Be a better parent than that!

2. Wait!

We live in a fast paced, fast food society. Everything is based on instant gratification. But what is that teaching our children? Good things don’t come to those who wait, no good things come to those who get it now! Whatever ‘it’ is get it, why wait? This applies to purchasing items that are beyond our financial means, eating foods in over indulgence, and even sexual pursuits. Parents, we have got to step up to the plate and tell our children to wait! Don’t let them make decisions based on what their friends are doing or what modern media is telling them is okay. Have ‘the talk’ with them. Get involved in their lives and remind them that God does have a plan for their lives…and some of it involves waiting.

3. I love you

Let me be clear on this point, many parents are saying the words ‘I love you’ but they’re not backing it up with action. If you love your child don’t just say it be involved in their lives, actually listen to them as they share with you their day. Be available to them so that they have someone to come and talk to. They say body language is sometimes more important than actual verbal language at times. So put the tablet, cell phone, or laptop down and actually make eye contact with your child! Let them know that you love them by paying attention to them! Parents we cannot afford to be selfish when it comes to sharing our love with our kids. We only have them for 18 years of their life and then they go out into the world on their own. Make it count, help them show love in the same respect by being there and being attentive to them.

4. Your choices matter!

Start young with this! Make sure they understand what consequences are for both good and poor choices! Instruct them properly and help them to weigh out their choices in this life. We are witnessing a whole generation of young people growing up in a world where no one is responsible for the consequences of poor decisions. How does that happen? It starts at home. If the parent can’t admit wrong doing or own up to bad choices, the child learns from this as well. The child has learn to blame others for their mistakes, to ignore the consequences and to just do what makes you happy. Parents we have to be adult enough to show our children how to admit wrong doing, and to help them make better choices in their lives. It’s not a weakness to admit that we were wrong at times. Doing so displays something that is lost in our society today: integrity and courage.

5. Love the Lord with all your heart and serve Him first!

I understand many do not live in Christian homes, but for any parent out there who attend Sunday School as a child or still goes to church today this is one of the most fundamental building blocks for any child’s development! Without knowledge of God’s love and our reciprocation in word and deep we stand to lose an entire generation to ignorance and faithlessness. Understanding that God is real and that His love saves us has to be at the forefront of our children’s development. I’ve heard it said that it’s not our job to get our kids saved, I offer an contrary view. It is our job to point our children in the right direction and to instruct them in the ways of God! If we feel ill-equipped then I think we’re doing it right. It won’t be easy but when our children see faith in action through us the Bible lessons about God and our relationship to Him will be that much clearer!

Parents I cannot stress it enough, we cannot omit these important instructions from our children’s development! The dangers in our society today are very real. We are facing the possibility of an entire generation blind to faith and lost in sin. We must instruct our children. We must take the time. We cannot afford to be selfish with our time and our knowledge of God. Don’t dismiss this as just another alarmist, get involved with your children, tell them no, tell them to wait, help them to learn to make better choices in life and that consequences do exist. Lead them and point them to God…make sure that you also display in word and deed these same principles and attributes in your life!

-Get on with it!

August 13, 2013 0

Keys to Failure ‘We Can’t Do that, We’ve never done it that way before!’

They say that Apple Innovator and Pixar founder Steve Jobs would only become more emboldened when people told him that something couldn’t be done. This excuse is very common in churches and in church leadership today. I’ve mentioned it before and I will mention it again but churches are dying at an unprecedented rate. Why are people leaving the church? Could it be that church is no longer meeting the needs of people they serve?

I understand that church is what you make of it, but there is also a mentality within denominations and within leadership of these denominations that needs to change. This mentality is this: ‘We can’t do that‘. Why? What happened to the early church when they had nothing to lose but to be faithful to God and display His love to all they met? They grew! What has happened to the Church today? We’ve settled. We’ve stopped risking. We’ve resorted to excuses like “We can’t do that” or “we’ve never done it that way before”.

Our churches have played it safe for far too long! It is understood that no one likes to change but what are we risking if we don’t modernize and if we don’t adapt and change? We risk a slow agonizing death in the pews. Time and time again we’ve heard the same spiel from leadership…our stats are down, it’s your fault, it’s your job to get those stats up. I agree we need to increase our church attendances and our biblical instructional programs for adults and youth…but what if it’s not necessarily that our stats are down but rather the programs that we’re employing that are to blame? Many churches have specific mandated programs that the local chapters are required to do. But no one is asking the right question. So let me risk something here and ask it anyway.

THE QUESTION:

Are the programs we are required to do still relevant or are they the same tired revamped programs we’ve been doing for nearly eighty years?

These programs get dressed up from time to time but it’s the same thing…the cover or design may have changed but IT’S THE SAME OLD TIRED THING!

Don’t get me wrong I’m not railing against doing what we’re told and especially not about ministering to adults and youth, these are vital to our survival. What I am saying is that if we want to see statistical and numerical growth in our churches then we ought to have the flexibility to try new innovative ministries without being labeled ‘the rebels’ or called obstinate. If we are truly interested in getting people saved and into our churches then we have got to stop focusing so much on indicators and start focusing on the people and their needs and the needs of their families. When we can serve the needs of the families in our communities and connected with them with relevant programs and ministries then we will have succeeded in both the cause and the indicator.

If we are to finally crest that hill of “we can’t do that” and see the other side of “we can do that” we have to take risks on the journey up the hill. It won’t be easy, it never is. But if we continue only to look at the indicators to guide us instead of tackling the causes; and if we keep using the same antiquated recycled program ideas we will not stave off the terminal prognosis for our churches. I don’t know about you but I would rather risk much, fail often, face criticism from leadership than watch the continued dwindling of church goers to the point where we simply die and fade away. I would rather not be responsible for the continued death of the church. I don’t want this to happen on my watch. Better yet I won’t let it happen on my watch!!!

We cannot settle any longer. We cannot do ‘programs’ simply because that’s the way they’ve always been done. It is simply not working. If we are to find life again, stop transposing blue prints from other churches. Discover the needs of your own community. Explore the demographics. Do the research and get to know your community…then pray. Pray for the right leaders, the right ministries, and the right opportunities. God will provide us what we need if we are serving Him and loving His people! Then get to work and stop worrying what the nay sayers are telling you!

If we are to serve and love the generations in our communities and save our church it’s time to reconsider how we minister and serve them!

-Just a thought.

August 12, 2013 0

Blurred Lines

“In a word, I was too cowardly to do what I knew to be right, as I had been too cowardly to avoid doing what I knew to be wrong.” ― Charles Dickens, Great Expectations

I am in no way endorsing or recommending a song of the same name by the singer Robin Thick. But for just a moment in our pop tart world with its cheap, catchy beats and lyrical lines filled with double entendre our messy morals are exposed in the light. Many people want instant gratification and pleasure without the consequences or guilt. Yet when confronted with their choices of immoral decisions and behaviors some simply deny any wrong doing or blame someone else.

We live in a blurred lined culture where right and wrongs are subjected to an individualistic and hedonistic world view. Do you remember the prophet Hosea? God told him to marry a prostitute named Gomer (Hosea 1:2). Reading this passage of scripture one might proclaim shockingly, “God did what?” God told one of his prophets, one of his faithful servants to go out and marry a woman who was a known ‘lady of the night’. God used Hosea and his marriage to an unfaithful harlot to illustrate how adulterous his chosen people Israel had become.

Israel had blurred the lines of moral, set-apart living. They had stepped out on God. Just think of it for a moment. God had given himself fully to his people Israel. His love had been poured out upon them. He blessed them with prosperity and riches and protected them from the dangers of other encroaching cultures. But Israel had been hell bent on their selfishness and their lusting after sin. They had broken God’s heart again. Just place yourself in their story for a moment. Imagine you were the faithful spouse. Imagine your soul mate, your beloved being in caught in unfaithful acts over and over again. Feel the shame and the embarrassment. Feel the hurt and gut wrenching anguish. “How could you do such a thing?” You might exclaim; “I trusted you!” God was fed up with Israel and their unfaithfulness. Hosea became a living testimony of God’s love and faithfulness to red light prostitute named Gomer who illustrated Israel’s adulterous ways.

‘How did Israel get to this point?’ one might ask. Blurred lines are the answer. When they ignored their moral compass and did what they wanted anyway it happened. When they rationalized their sinful persuasions as ‘okay with me’ it happened. When they settled for instant gratification that lasted for but a moment instead of an eternal kind of love it happened. They blurred the lines of right and wrong to fit their sinfulness and corroded moral compass. What started out as ‘innocent fun’ turned into a full blown heartless affair with other gods wrought with immoral choices and selfish acts. They started out as a ‘set-apart’ people of God but ended as a torn apart culture wrecked people.

The Danger Zone:

This danger zone doesn’t include fighter jets from an 80’s movie, but it does include us and our culture that we live in. We live in a very media saturated world where right and wrongs are based on an individual’s sense of morality. Where we are taught that to defend God’s word and his laws of living is considered intolerant in our society. If this is intolerance then so be it. I would rather have God find us faithful than find us acting like Gomer or Israel as we prostitute ourselves out in a lost and dying world. The danger zone is the blurred lines in our world today. Those who profess to be Christ followers ought to know better! Those who claim Christ with their lips yet live a life contrary to their claims WATCH OUT! God doesn’t want your ritual or your lip service…He wants you! He wants me! Don’t let blurred lines of loose living dilute your faith! Don’t give that slippery slope of immoral living a second glance. Be faithful to God. He has set us apart for a reason. He loves us so deeply and when we serve Him we not only display our love back to Him, but we display what a lasting love relationship with God looks like for the world to see.

Don’t allow these blurred lines to blur your faith or your love relationship to God. He wants us to live above reproach and above these influences. 2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old (blurred lined life) has gone, the new life has come.”

August 12, 2013 1

Sermon Podcast: “The Benefits of God”

Sermon Podcast Weblink: Sermon “The Benefits of God”

Psalm 103:1-18 (NIV)
¹Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
²Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits–
³who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
⁴who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
⁵who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
⁶The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.
⁷He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel:
⁸The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
⁹He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever;
¹⁰he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.
¹¹For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;
¹²as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
¹³As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; ¹⁴for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.
¹⁵As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field;
¹⁶the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.
¹⁷But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children– ¹⁸with those who keep his covenant and remember (To do them) to obey his precepts.

God’s Benefits

Benefits of membership:

Costco membership: you pay a yearly/monthly fee but you get discounted savings and additional benefits to being a member.

Benefits of being a member of God’s family:

1. He forgives (v3)

* What does his forgiveness cover? Everything!

* It covers all of a believer’s iniquities and sins…notice though this is for believers!

* Before we become members and experience the benefits of God there is nothing good in us, nothing to justify us or make us right with God. We are lost in our sins. Without our membership, without our belief in God’s redemptive power we are hopelessly lost. But once we believe in Him he brings to us this unmerited grace in the form of forgiveness for all of our wrong doings. We find redemption through Jesus Christ.

2. He heals all our diseases. (v3)

* Psalm 23 says “He restores my soul”

* This is what the benefit of God’s healing entails…he provides a restoration for our bodies, souls and minds.

* He cleanses the soul of all malice, envy, lusts, backbiting, unbelief, all disease of the heart and of the body.

* 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
¹⁷Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

3. He redeems your life from destruction! (v4)

* When we believe in God we get the benefits of that belief. These benefits include a restoration and a healing from our iniquities’ and our sins but God’s redemptive power takes it a step further. He not only removes our iniquities but also the causes of these iniquities in us. Sin itself is removed from our lives.

* Removing mold…can’t simply pour bleech on it and pretend it will go away…if there’s a leak in the roof that let the moisture in in the first place then the roof has to be fixed.

* Again let’s look at 2^nd Cor 5:17…The old is what? Is it just under the surface? NO! Is it in hiding for a day or two? NO! Is it gone? YES!!!

*God has removed the cause of our spiritual disease in our lives. He has taken that burden away from us.

4. “He will renew us and satisfy the desires of our hearts!” (v.5)

August 11, 2013 0

General Cox Appoints his Chief of Staff:

General André Cox writes:

You will understand that within a very short time of accepting my election to the office of General, I began to give serious thought to whom I might ask to work alongside me as the Chief of the Staff.

After several days of prayer, reflection and wide consultation with a number of senior leaders, I have decided to appoint Commissioner William Roberts as Chief of the Staff, effective 1 October 2013. Commissioner Nancy Roberts is appointed as World Secretary for Women’s Ministries.

Commissioner William Roberts returns to International Headquarters with a wealth of experience and knowledge of the international Army. After initial appointments in corps ministry, he served in divisional finance appointments for a number of years, before being appointed as a divisional secretary in two divisions and then as divisional commander in two divisions. Commissioner Nancy Roberts shared those years of ministry, involving herself also in the leadership of the League of Mercy and the Home League, and as Social Concerns (Moral and Ethical Issues) Secretary.

December 2001 saw Commissioners Roberts move to the southern part of the Americas and Caribbean zone, when they were appointed respectively as Territorial Commander and Territorial President of Women’s Organizations, South America East Territory. Four years later the commissioners reported for duty at International Headquarters – Commissioner William Roberts as International Secretary for Business Administration and Commissioner Nancy Roberts as IHQ Chaplain and Secretary for IHQ Staff Development. In March 2008 the commissioners became the first territorial leaders of the newly formed Kenya West Territory where their leadership and ministry made a deep impact on Salvationists in the western part of Kenya. From there they returned to their native USA as the national leaders.

Commissioner William Roberts is a leader of varied expertise and wide knowledge. As well as having a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Master’s degree in Religious Studies, the commissioner has interested himself in minority ministries, cross-cultural ministries, leader development, evangelism and church growth, and social service.

With such a background, and a commendable record of service in North America, South America, Africa and at IHQ, I am confident that the commissioner is more than well prepared for the task to which he is now appointed, as is Commissioner Nancy Roberts who will work alongside Commissioner Silvia Cox in the interests of Women’s Ministries around the world.

Please join me in praying God’s rich blessing upon Commissioners Roberts as they take up their significant leadership roles at the heart of our Army.

God bless you.

via web link: http://www.salvationarmy.org/ihq/news/announcement090813

August 9, 2013 4

1st Official Interview of General Andre’ Cox:

A DISCIPLE OF JESUS

The newly elected international leader General André Cox spoke with Major Jane Kimberley at the conclusion of the 2013 High Council

How do you feel after just being elected as the 20th General?

I feel an immense sense of privilege and awe because of the responsibility that goes with the role.
I also have a sense of peace. I have never identified myself by either rank or role, I am who God made me to be and I am growing into the person he wants me to be. A General or anyone else is but a disciple of Jesus and I think that gives me comfort because it’s not all on my shoulders.

The Army belongs to God, it’s not mine. I have a role to play, but I was called to proclaim the gospel and I will do just that.

What impression stands out for you from the 2013 High Council?

We were all in one accord in a peaceful, secluded and very holy place. From the moment we started the pre-High Council conference we sensed that this was right. We were not rushed and knew that God’s hand was upon us. It was good to be in his presence.
This was the third High Council that I had attended and perhaps the one that I cherish the most because of the sense of God’s presence. The prayer fellowship was phenomenal.

What will be the main challenges you face as General?

Multiple challenges impact The Salvation Army’s global mission, including poverty, social exclusion, social injustice, the increasing gap between the rich and poor, sexual exploitation, human trafficking and lack of respect for the things of God. When faced with secularism and materialism we need to rediscover our confidence in the divine inspiration and authority of God’s word.

I believe The Salvation Army must continue to have a strong bias for the poor and the marginalised. There is a lot more that we can be doing in mobilising our corps. For too long we have relied upon institutional social care. Many problems today demand that we are fully engaged in the communities in which we serve and not serving ourselves and sitting in comfort. We need to pay more than lip service to things we believe and truly live out the values we proclaim. Belief and actions should go hand in hand.

My vision is that as an Army we will be fully mobilised and committed to the calling God has given us. We are a covenanted people, we have all signed a covenant and I would like to see us live up to that.

How important in your opinion is the Army’s relationship with other churches and other faiths?

The links with others are very important. We need to recognise that we all belong to the same family. In the Christian churches we have a strong bond and can learn from each other. We don’t have to compare ourselves with any other because God has given us a specific calling as The Salvation Army. We need to feel secure in our own faith and we don’t need to be judgmental about other people. I have seen evidence in projects and development work of people of different faiths working together in harmony for the common good.

One of the challenges of an international Salvation Army is diversity. The office of the General is vital in holding that together. How do you find unity in diversity?

Diversity needs to be celebrated. We shouldn’t see that as a problem. There are so many things that bind us together as The Salvation Army, including belief in the Bible, faith in Jesus, doctrines, the mercy seat, 24-hour prayer, uniforms and orders and regulations. I am a great believer and supporter of the internationalism of the Army, believing this to be one of our greatest strengths. The High Council met as a group of many different cultures all drawn to the light of God through Jesus Christ his son. I hope that we can celebrate our differences because the things that bind us together are far stronger than the things that separate us. Having lived in different cultures, I have learnt that no one has ‘the’ right answer and that there are many right answers.

What role does your family play in your life?

They keep me sane I would think! We are very proud of our children and have four grandchildren – two born within the last five weeks. One of our priorities, when we get a moment, will be to go and spend some time with them. Our family is very important to us; we thank God for the blessing. My mother, sister, brother and his family live in the UK but our children are all in Switzerland. We shall soon have a mountain holiday!

Who has influenced you most over the years in your personal development?

In my recent journey General Linda Bond has been a real example of courage and faith and that has spoken to me strongly.

I have had the privilege of considering General John Larsson as a fatherly figure. He first appointed us to territorial leadership in Finland and he has always been a good and steadying influence.

In my early years of officership General Eva Burrows was a real inspiration to me and helped me to aspire to do something greater in my spiritual development.

What about the International Vision?

I am grateful to my predecessor General Linda Bond for her visionary leadership, for her submission to the will of God and for the fact that she inspired our International Vision of One Army, One Mission, One Messageand that must continue. A change of General does not change that focus.

Major Jane Kimberley is Editor of the United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland’s ‘Salvationist’ publication

Additional photographs by Major Nigel Bovey

-Via IHQ Website: http://www.salvationarmy.org/ihq/news/interview060813

August 6, 2013 1

“Get Off Of Your Laurels!”

“Nothing wilts faster than laurels that have been rested upon.” –Percy Bysshe Shelly

The hero takes the stage as the crowd explodes into cheerful celebration. After grueling torment and near defeat, the hero stands alone from the rest of the competition. He has defeated his adversaries masterfully and now he is crowned with a laurel wreath on his head and the affections of the crowd. He is their champion and hero.

But what happens to many champions after victories such as these? What becomes of them? Some continue to strive for excellence and gain victories again and again, while others stumble and fall upon their pride and face humiliating defeats later on.

Dare I say it is what happens after the victory that matter most! In the Christian world we face temptations on all sides. We experience real spiritual warfare for our souls. Sometimes we go to revival meetings, camps, youth/adult conventions and we experience real victories by the Holy Spirit in our lives at the ‘High Places’. These are mountain top experiences and we cherish these experiences for the rest of our lives. They are milestone markers in our relationship to Christ. These moments in actuality become sacred to us and rightly so because they were real tangible moments when we felt God’s presence in our lives.

But what happens when we come down from these mountaintops with our laurels of victory having done battle with sin and temptation? Do we think those temptations and sins will simply disappear on our descent into the ‘real world’? Can we ride that victory all the way to the gates of heaven? Of course not! The real battle is still ahead of us. We have to enter our lives again fresh from victory and engage the enemy (sin) once again. That doesn’t necessarily mean that we go into the world looking for sin, that’s not what I mean. But in our attempt to live holy lives we will most certainly face sin again on the battle field. When we come down from the mountaintop we must realize that Satan is waiting for us. He doesn’t want us to succeed continually in our victories but would rather we face the cold realities of a world wrought with sin.

When we come down from a mountaintop experience, high with the Holy Spirit, we need to be mindful that we cannot rest on yesterday’s victories to get us through today or even tomorrow. The Apostle Paul wrote of his own struggles, and in his wisdom he said this: ^“Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV)

What Paul is saying here is that though he had won other victories at other mountaintop experiences he couldn’t rest his laurels on the past because the prize “heavenward in Christ Jesus” was still ahead of him. He had to keep on going, and this is what we must do as well!

We cannot rest on our laurels from previous victories and expect to grow into holiness without engaging in our present battles as well. I think there are two key words here to remember: “Pride” and “Press”.

Pride:

The Apostle Paul understood the dangers of pride in his life and clearly says, “I am not there yet, my destination isn’t complete.” C.S. Lewis once said, When we allow pride to enter into our hearts (pride in what we’ve already accomplished, pride in our holiness, pride in our efforts) we, unknowingly take two steps backward. We begin to compare ourselves with other Christians along this same journey instead of comparing our image with that of Christ’s. Pride allows us to keep our laurels yet resting upon them will not propel us forward rather will create in us a stagnancy and therein lies the real danger of an atrophied soul!

Rather…

Press:

Instead of pride leading to our spiritual demise, we ought to humbly press on toward our ultimate prize which is the very image of God within us – Imago dei. Without this heavenward goal, which is holding captive our thoughts, actions and speech, we can become so much like the world around us that we blend in completely and are no longer ‘set apart’. We must press on from victory to victory…keep on keeping on. We don’t have time to hang our laurels. We don’t have time to rest and admire them, but we journey on because we haven’t reached our destination yet.

Let me ask:
Are you resting on your laurels of past mountaintop victories? If so, it is time to set them aside as glorious as they were and press on. Our ultimate victory is assured in Christ if we are faithful to Him. Our goal to be like Him and in so doing we shine before the world so that His redemption is visible to all. Eternity is our reward as we press on towards our goal!