Dear Salvation Army – Why I Quit Being Employed By The Salvation Army

Is It More Than A Paycheck?

The mission of The Salvation Army requires more than just employees. Don’t misunderstand me, we need workers who can perform vital tasks within our army but my fear is that we are creating professional places of employment and no longer cultivating warriors who are mission minded. Is it wrong to draw a salary from our army? Of course not! Though there is the danger of hiring personnel based solely on their skill set. Skill sets are wonderful and we should utilize these abilities in our army but what happens if we only hire individuals based solely on their ability to perform these tasks while they have no love or passion for our mission?

Making it personal:

I remember the days when I used to punch a clock while being employed by the Army. I must confess that I too viewed my position as a place of employment and not where my heart met a godly mission and purpose. It happens more than we think. Dare I say that we (the army) sometimes employ families who merely “go into the family business” and perhaps it is more out of convenience than it is about passion. I do not begrudge this. For years I had to sort this out in my own life as well. I am a fourth generation salvationist and a fourth generation officer…did that mean that I signed up out of “convenience”? Thankfully the answer in my case is “no”. I could have found a more lucrative, gainful employment somewhere else following college graduation. I could have done other things, but I felt a call to minister within our army. Was it a lifetime call? Perhaps that’s a conversation for another time…but I have been called here and now to be more than just an employee of The Salvation Army. If there comes a day when I am simply here for the paycheck and the benefits and have no love for our mission then it is time for me to pack it in and move on. God forbid if we have only employees in our army! Employees only fulfilling their job descriptions and nothing more. Employees who are not mission bound but paycheck and position bound. Employees who hardly ever (if at all) actively engage in Kingdom building within our army.

I quit being an employee of our army years ago. I didn’t sign up to draw a paycheck or sit in a nice office with a window view. There has to be something more than this. There needs to be heart and passion and mission that coincide with our spirits and prompts us to fight for souls of men and women for the glory of God! If this last element is missing (for the glory of God) we could lose everything within our army. If we do not keep our mission ever in focus…if we do not continue to fight for the souls of men and women…if we do not actively engage in our corps, divisional offices and territorial offices for His glory, we will have lost everything and just become “employees” in just another social service organization. God forbid that ever happens. Don’t be employees…be mission workers, be passionate soldiers of Christ, be compassionate dispensers of God’s grace, be warriors of God…don’t just be employees of The Salvation Army.

Something more for our Army world to ponder today…to God be the glory!

August 18, 2014 35

The Salvation Army In Ten Years…

More Questions Than Answers:
I do not wish to get all philosophical or be someone who always looks to the future while missing out on the present, but what does the future hold for our Army? Where are we heading? Are there doctrinal shifts occurring? Which countries will be be opening the work in next? Will Holiness continue to be emphasized throughout the Army world? (Lets hope so!) Will we see a revival within our Army?

I pray for our Army as I know many of you do as well.
This is more of a dialogue blog and I would like to ask you a few questions here and I hope that you respond:

Questions for you the reader:
What would you like to see within the Army in the next ten years?
What area of improvements do you see the Army tackling?
What area does not need improvement?
How can you help your corps succeed in the ministry and evangelism of Jesus Christ?
What one thing is still lacking in your corps that needs attention?
What are you praying earnestly for within the realm of The Salvation Army?

I know that the Lord has placed this Army here on this earth and if we continue to be faithful to His leading He will not only sustain us for the journey ahead but He will continue to shine His blessings upon us.

Let’s continue this conversation together – Please respond below:

August 15, 2014 10

Dear Salvation Army – The Walking Wounded…

“We believe that it is the privilege of all believers to be wholly sanctified, and that their whole spirit and soul and body may be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
(The 10th Doctrine of The Salvation Army)

We are certainly a unique ministry of Jesus Christ are we not?

Those who become members of our ecclesia whether they be adherents, volunteers, soldiers or officers make up many different demographics. Some are educated, some are not, some are young, some are old, some are wealthy, many are not…but they all make up this army of salvation. I do not want to assume anything within our army but from what I have seen there are many of whom we minister to that are “the walking wounded”.

What do I mean by walking wounded?

Circumstances of life whether by extreme poverty, illiteracy, abuse have left wounds upon some of our soldiers in this army. Some of these wounds are emotion, some are physical, some are psychological…all have inflicted wounds, some very, very deep.

Many of the walking wounded may struggle with identifying with a “Heavenly Father” because their earthly father was far from heavenly. Many of the walking wounded struggle with the concept of forgiveness because this was a foreign idea at home. Some of the walking wounded have lived within deep trenches of depravity and habits that seem to always linger in their lives.

Frustration:

It would be easy to become frustrated with those who are walking wounded…sometimes we may not know that they are wounded at all. Many times the wounds and scars are carefully hidden away and are scarcely revealed or acknowledged. As an Officer, I have caught myself uttering words under my breath, words like “Why can’t this person see what they’re doing with their life?” or “I just taught this subject in bible study and five minutes after nothing has changed and nothing has sunken in.”

Be careful, fellow teachers of the gospel. Be patient with those you instruct, some are walking wounded and you may not know it. It is easy to become frustrated with those who seem to make little to no progress. Yes, we should keep the standard high, and at the same time be distributors of God’s grace and loving mercy. I do not wish to imply that we allow sin to remain in the lives of those we serve and love. We should confront sin when we have the opportunity to do so, but may it be done in a loving, caring manner. I believe that the Holy Spirit can certainly transform lives. Sometimes He transforms lives immediately, while other times it is a gradual, slow process. We, who are very temporal, want to see immediate change. We, who are teachers of the gospel, long to see the “fruit of our labor” and yet is that our place? Is that our right? Sometimes the walking wounded may only make incremental progress towards becoming “wholly sanctified”…yet I believe in a God who dispenses such an amazing grace that goes beyond our understanding. Again I do not wish for us to give up or to settle for mediocrity within our soldiery, but sometimes I wonder if certain members of our body are capable of attaining the measure that we as humans set for them?

Love, Grace & Sanctification:

When it comes to ministering to the walking wounded (this definition of “walking wounded” anyway) we as soldiers and officers of our army must love as Christ first loved us. All of us are unworthy of His grace and yet His unmerited favor has fallen upon us. May we in turn make every attempt to reciprocate that grace upon those we serve and love.

They may not attain “our level” of sanctification (and even saying “our level” seems arrogant and pretentious) and thank goodness we are not the measurement of holiness – Christ is! Instead of focusing on “our level” perhaps we can all attempt to instruct and teach personal holiness to those we serve and love. Personal holiness begins at home, in the heart, soul and mind. Personal holiness is prodded by corporate holiness but has the capacity to transform and shape a person’s life in their time and by the Holy Spirit.

We are all called to be “wholly sanctified”…and in so living it may we administer love and grace to those who are walking wounded among us…perhaps, quite possibly, that includes ourselves as well.

-Something more for our army to ponder today.

August 15, 2014 0

Faith Lessons – An “Even If” Kind of Faith

“…But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” (Daniel 3:17,18)

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had a choice. They could obey the king and a law that went against their beliefs, or they could boldly stand upon their faith in God. They chose to stand firm “even if” they were to pay the ultimate price for their faith. The king was furious and ordered them thrown into the fiery furnace. Even then they did not recant or withdraw their “even if” faith. An “even if” kind of faith is dangerous, for it calls those with faith to stand firmly and to believe with every fiber of their being in a mighty God who will rescue, but “even if” He does not rescue, the believer must remain steadfast in faith.

How is our faith? Do we possess an “even if” type of faith in our Christian walk? Can we confidently profess this kind of faith regardless of the situations and circumstances in our lives? Remarkably, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were delivered from the fiery furnace, but they did not know God would deliver them as they stepped into that fire. What fires are we willing to step into for our faith? Do we possess this “even if” kind of faith? Be bold and claim an “even if” kind of faith today!

Something more to ponder today as we walk and live by faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

August 14, 2014 0

Dear Salvation Army – Pastoral Care & The Breaking Ranks

Questions:
Do we as an army for God work within the mainframe of grace and reconciliation? How do we bring back into the fold those who have broken rank and have gone AWOL?

Braking Ranks:

There are many reasons that officers and soldiers brake rank and depart. Some leave for other opportunities that, I believe, the Lord makes available for them. Some burn out and because of frustrations they leave our ranks in search of rest that perhaps wasn’t offered where they were stationed. Others leave for moral or ethical reasons. All of these reasons are sad to our army. We need soldiers and officers of this army who will fight despite the circumstances, but we also need leaders in our army who are sensitive to the Holy Spirit and will lovingly employ pastoral care upon those who are truly hurting and struggling.

Pastoral Care:

It is not enough to have a small handful of officers at territorial headquarters to minister to the vast ministries of hundreds of officers on the field. Nor is it enough to claim places like officer’s councils (twice a year) and pilgrimage (for soldiery) enough of a healing balm to weary souls. These are wonderful elements of pastoral care, but they are not enough. Sometimes, dare I say, these are merely used as stop-gaps yet underlying hurts and true shepherding is forgotten along the way. This is usually unintentional because many leaders are “too busy” due to over worked schedules. If I can be honest for a moment though, we need something more than what is already available to officers and soldiers in regards to pastoral care. We need to spend more money if needed. We need to employ more officers and staff within the realms of pastoral care. If our army is serious about caring for those within its ranks, please take this seriously. I am not negating the effectiveness of the few who are already within this area of ministry (pastoral care departments – if there is one in your territory), but there are far too few in number.

Secondly, it is not enough to employ/outsourced psychologists to conduct tests on those who are hurting to see if they are “fit for duty”. These services are excellent when one is seeking professional counseling (which is at times necessary) and we are grateful for these helps, but who does the shepherd turn to when they need someone to talk to and perhaps an ear to listen without fear of repercussions or divulging of information shared. It is not that we mistrust leadership but shepherds are there to guide and to lead but if the leader is hurting or burned out perhaps don’t just move them or appoint them to a place with less stress – here is a novel concept – Talk to them and listen to their needs. I don’t mean to be critical here today but pastoral ministry should not be a last resort or a responsive action, it should be a first priority and a proactive ministry to its ranks. I believe far too long we have operated within a reactionary place which is more of a knee-jerk response instead of an intentional, loving concern for those who serve.

Leadership: please don’t misunderstand what I am saying. I am not implying you do not love those you lead, but I am saying there ~~is room to improve~~ must be room to improve! Lip service can take the form of “I hear what you’re saying” yet no action is ever taken to adjust, modify, restructure the foundation because it can and will upset the status quo right now.

What do I know…I’m only a Captain in this very large ship that is The Salvation Army…but from where I stand, sometimes officers and soldiers are just numbers instead of people. The reaction to a dip in statistics becomes “Officers what’s going on in your corps? Why are the stats down?” or “Women’s ministries secretary, why are there less women in your women’s ministries group? Why are the stats down?” Sometimes we minister through the famine days as well as the seasons of feasts. We must recognize that people are people and we ought to love and serve them with our full efforts and compassion through ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Pastoral Care Recommendation:
(Again, what do I know but here’s a suggestion, which is more than just criticism but I hope and pray a construction suggestion because I want to succeed in ministry and I know we all do too)
Here are Three Recommendations to truly allow pastoral care to become proactive and more effective:

1) Employ Divisional Pastoral Care Teams (not just Territorial ones):
This isn’t about micromanaging officers or corps, but rather caring leaders determined to improve the mission through healthy, shepherding and love. Pastoral teams who will spend time with officers not because it’s in the calender or because its mandated but because they want to fellowship with other officers and show support and concern. Please don’t get me wrong, I am not saying Divisional Officers don’t love those they serve currently, because that is not the case, but if we had a team of pastoral care officers devoted to the concerns and needs of shepherding officers on the field I believe we would see not only a higher morale but more effective ministries going on. Officers and soldiers need to feel needed and loved. They need to know they have support no matter how near or far their appointments are for their headquarters. A Divisional Pastoral Care Team would be immediate, confidential, and provide an additional resource to not only officers and soldiers on the field but to divisional leaders.

2) A Sabbatical Provision For Officers:
Currently if an Officer told their leadership that they would like to take a sabbatical from their appointment they would be met with questions like “Are you resigning? Are you questioning your call as an Officer? Are you dealing with sin?” The thought of providing something other than furlough to Officers who need triage to their spirits seems almost alien to our army world. I don’t wish to peer over the proverbial fence here but there are many churches who employ the use of a sabbatical so that their pastors can recharge, reconnect with their spouses, find rest and rediscover their heart for ministry. What damage would it do to consider such a provision? Could we prevent some of the losses within our ranks if this were in place? Perhaps even a territorial sabbatical place of rest could be assigned…more to ponder…

3) Team Leadership Appointments:

I recognize not all personalities can work together in ministry, but wouldn’t it be more effective to have numerous couples working in the same appointment? I know that immediately some would consider the cost of such a venture, but what would the return on this kind of investment be? Currently already within the USA in the Kroc Centers teams of Officers already work together, but what about within the standard corps setting? Wouldn’t we be more equipped within a carefully structured partnership team? I don’t mean a Corps Officer and an Assistant or an Associate Officer but I mean co-leaders, co-ministers together. Perhaps in this way the burden can be jointly carried and also fellowship and healthy accountability can take place. This type of model would not be easy to maintain and constant retooling would have to happen, but if the goal within mission was kept as the priority and everyone could extinguish egos, perhaps this type of team ministry could work.

Keep The Main Thing The Main Thing:

The mission of our Army should always, ever be at the forefront of what and who we are.
Secondly though, we must be proactive in caring for our ranks of officers and soldiers. We need the able body, the healthy body of Christ in order to meet human needs in His name! We need each other to prevent attrition in our ranks. We need to know leadership truly cares for those they lead. We need more servant leaders to assist in this modification to make our mission more effective. With healthy pastoral care tools in place, more than we have now, we can help some (not all) of the issues we are currently facing when we consider the “breaking of ranks”.

“If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?” 1 John 3:17

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9

Just something more for our Army to ponder today!

August 13, 2014 9

Dear Salvation Army – Reinventing “Revolutionary”

It doesn’t have to be complicated. We sometimes think that reaching others for Christ is all about new program, but once the shine wears off that “new” program just begins to look like every other program. Don’t get me wrong, we do utilize some effective methods from time to time that are lasting, but sometimes we roll out programs that are just dressed up models of the old ones.

STOP TRYING TO REINVENT THE WHEEL!

Uncomplicated Hard Work:

Let me touch on a sensitive topic for a moment. It isn’t about new programs. It isn’t about having more money in our corps, although at times that does help. But it is about investing time and effort into children and adults in ministry. We have to show up. We have to work hard. Most importantly we have to love and care for those we minister to. Yes we must be prepared to meet their needs. We must invest something in foundational biblical teachings, but being present in their lives means a whole lot more than just attending a class at the corps.

It takes hard work to invest yourself in people. Jesus lived with His disciples for three years. Most of us can’t do the same today, but we can certainly invest ourselves in other people’s interests and extra-circular activities outside the corps walls. We can visit them in their homes and invite them into ours. This is uncomplicated hard work because it takes a concerted effort to be intention about our “free time” away from corps activities.

Programs The Work: (YOUTH)

Sports anything. Children and teens love competitive activities. If done correctly these activities can be done with a spiritual intent and can mold and shape lives. There are many stories of professional basketball players who got their start through Salvation Army “biddy-basketball” programs. Some of these youths need an escape from their home-life. Some, in order to survive the streets need these sports programs to continue to exist because it is their only source of joy and encouragement.

Be intentional about these sporting programs though. Make sure there is an organized method to the madness and that there is incorporated in the time a spiritual element whether it’s prayer, scripture reading or even a short devotion. Children and Teens respond to this kind of program.

You don’t have a Gymnasium you say?

Is there a park or field near your corps? How about Soccer? Provide something that allows these children to feel self-worth and fun. Ministry shouldn’t be laborious, mundane and boring. It will take more effort at times on you the leader, but it is worth it to think outside of the normal “Corps Program”. If there are not any fields near your corps, perhaps an indoor activity would also suffice. Provide some measure of “home” to the youth that come into your doors and they will come back again and again…also providing food doesn’t hurt either! Food always seems to entice the hungry.

Programs The Work: (Young Adults)

Be intentional about opening up your home. Many young adults and those young married couples with children need connections and friendships. Set aside a night of the week like a Friday night to have fellowship with food and the Word. Make it personal. Watch a movie together. Share some scripture or a devotion over a home cooked meal. Take turns going to each other’s homes. I think we can confuse “ministry” with something that only happens in the corps building, but from what I have witnessed ministry can at times be more effective at informal settings like the home. Be intentional about these moments. Don’t be so informal that you forget the purpose for meeting, and at the same time have fun. When the leader is having fun those who are attending will also have fun. When we open our homes up for fellowship and ministry it speaks volumes to those we minister to, and it gains entry into some unguarded barriers of lives we could not cross while at a meeting in the corps.

Be Revolutionary In Worship:

If there was one place that we often meet resistance in corps and in our Army it is within the structure of what we know worship to be. I am not about making worship un-sacred by any means. These intimate moments with our God is vital to not only corporate worship but to our individualized worship as well. We must ever be diligent in how we present the gospel and its truths, but the tools in which we convey the message should be creative and fresh. Again we don’t have to reinvent the wheel but think creatively when we formulate our worship service schedules. If you have modern technology such as projectors and video, use them. If you do not, utilize dramas and other forms of the arts. Remember we are striving to usher the worship into the very throne room of heaven in our worship. We must introduce the sacred while we disturb the present in our holiness services. Don’t alienate your worshipers, include them!

DO NOT BE AFRAID TO TRY SOMETHING NEW!

Music:
Let me touch on music for a moment too.
This can be a sensitive topic, because we have a tune book and a red song book. Some of the words within that book are wonderful and we will not find the depth, at times of those powerful words in any praise song out there…but that doesn’t mean we must only use the red song book. We should find an even balance of both in our services. Remember it’s not about our worship style that is important it is about how we can draw the people who come to our services into worship through the songs we select and sing. We want to be revolutionary in our worship and in our music but we cannot leave our worshipers in the dust without instruction and teaching them. William Booth is quoted in saying “Why should the devil have all the good music” and he was revolutionary in his approach to “street music”…shouldn’t we be as well? Find ways to creatively present the gospel through modern songs if that works for your community.

Reinventing Revolutionary:

We do not need to reinvent the wheel in order to be revolutionary. We do need to know the people we serve. We do need to be revolutionary in the ways we love the people we serve and minister to. We must rethink the way we consider what “revolutionary” to be. It will take more of a concerted effort than just doing another program. It will take more effort on our part…but the return will be so worth it! Revolutionary means we care. Revolutionary means we long to invest ourselves in other people’s lives not just at the corps building. Revolutionary means at times without uniforms we show up and simply love.

How is your ministry revolutionary? What takes all of your efforts? How are you investing yourself in those you minister to? Are you more invested in program or people? Can we rethink “ministry”?

Something more for our Army to ponder and genuinely live out today!

August 12, 2014 0

The Day Laughter Died – Robin Williams A Tribute

Wow, just wow.
Like most of the world I am in shock tonight as I write this. No, I never met famous comedian Robin Williams. I never sent him fan letters or visited Hollywood and looked for his star…but as soon as the news broke of his passing it struck me like it was one of my own family members…because he truly was one of my family members. Our family watched many of his movies in theaters in our own living room with popcorn in hand. He inspired us with many roles which evoked hope in us all. He made us laugh. He made us cry. He was the crazy, really hairy man who would go to great lengths to bring a brilliant character to life and transform us into fantastical lands we never thought possible.

I can’t tell you which of his films I admired more: Hook, Patch Adams, Dead Poets Society, What Dreams May Come, Jumanji, Good Will Hunting, Night At The Museum, The Bird Cage…and so many more.

My heart is broken.
I literally lost a family member in his passing…and I’m venturing a guess that you have too.
I don’t want to make this about depression or addictions…but there’s always hope, there’s always help and those who care. I just wish Robin would have found that in his wonderful life. Today, a little bit of my laughter and your laughter died. Today, it wasn’t so much about just another actor dying, but about a piece of us, a piece of this light of life being extinguished.

Something like this happening abruptly like it does pulls us all up short. It makes us re-evaluate things. It makes us recognize just how fragile this thing called life truly is. It makes us ask the kind of questions we aren’t willing to consider in other situations…

Questions:
How can depressions extinguish the light of someone who seemed to have so much to live for?
Why suicide (if it is indeed suicide)?
Could this have been prevented?
Who could have intervened?
Am I struggling with depression right now? Should I ask for help?
Am I alone or can I really talk to someone who can help me?

Again I don’t want to make this tribute all about the burdens and struggles of life, but when someone who shines so brightly burns out in this way we can’t help but consider these things. We live in a fragile world in these fragile shells of bodies and we all face dark days, burdens and struggles. We all face pressures of life and we consciously must journey through even those seasons.

Robin – Thank you for making us laugh. Thank you for shining so brightly into our lives for so long. I only wish you could have overcome this last burden. I mourn now because in your passing countless of your extended family and immediate family are left with questions that will go unanswered. If WE could have made YOU laugh…You inspired us with so much hope only to have reached a place in life without it. You faced these battles…they were yours and we mourn now because we couldn’t help you overcome.

What I do know: I know our Creator to be a God of great mercy and grace…I don’t know how this grace of God works but I do know that it extends far beyond what our humans minds can fathom and comprehend. Now you stand before that great God of grace, may His love be lavished upon you. I pray you have found ultimate healing from your struggles and battles in life. I also pray for your family, for their hurting hearts and questioning minds. We love you!

Sincerely
Scott.

This is truly the day laughter died.

Rest In Peace
Robin.

August 12, 2014 8

Dear Salvation Army – My Deepest Fears For Our Future…

“Christians, and dare I say Salvationists, run the danger of putting up barriers today in order to ‘protect’ themselves from the world ‘out there’. God, by contrast, wants to meet with people...”
-General Andre’ Cox. (The Officer, p 4-5, July-August 2014)

What are your deepest fears? Everyone has them. We all struggle with them from time to time, not always but every once in a while they loom large and foreboding before us and we must either confront them or run away from them. Fears are real both the individual fear of one and the collective fears of many. I do not wish to reside within our fears, nor do I wish that we thrive upon our fears, but rather that we confront them for what they are.

The Fears For Our Future:

The Disappearance of Youth and Young Adults:

Every church struggles with young adult losses. It happens when some leave “the nest” and head off to college and begin to live life on their own. How can we, as an army, stave off these losses within our ranks? The army is home to many. No matter where a soldier goes in most of the world, they can walk into a corps hall and feel like they are welcomed and home. Where are our young adults going? Are we intentional in making them feel at home in our corps? Are we ministering to their demographic through relevant, active, interpersonal ministry? Do we really get them? (I don’t want to insinuate that there is an ‘us and them’ here) Do we have the time to do so? Could it be that we MUST employ active and loving youth workers/pastors within all of our corps to help connect with these young adults?

Young adults don’t need bible studies thrown at them or printed materials from Sunday school books, they need godly relationships, pastoral shepherding, people who are investing their time and energy and homes in them. They need a place to crash, a place to do their laundry (college is expensive)…and maybe an open kitchen to eat food from.

I fear we are losing so many of our young adults as they branch out and explore the world around them. Can we break our old molds of “ministry”? Are we willing to risk much to reach our young people? Perhaps we must start rethinking how we minister to this demographic in our army…because presently, by and large, it isn’t working.

Decaying Moral Standards:

I struggle with articulating this one because I don’t wish to imply that I am in anyway perfect – far from it! I understand we as an army are triage to the sick and hurting. We must diligently to be an extension of God’s compassionate grace, and yet within our ranks of soldiers and officers we must also strive to keep the standards high! We cannot allow immoral behavior to destroy lives and to disrupt our mission to the lost. We must be brave enough to lovingly confront it when it rises up, we cannot allow it to take root within our army. We stand so close to the front-lines that at times in attempting to ‘be all things to all people‘ (1 Corinthians 9:22) we run the risk of slipping back down into the depths of our ‘old lives’…we must be strong enough in our faith for the battle we wage as soldiers of this army! We must exercise accountability with our faithful brothers and sisters in Christ, and we need to beware of the slippery slopes of the front-lines.

In contrast, we must continue to be salt and light to the flavorless and darkness. We as soldiers should recognize that we cannot look so much like the world that we are indistinguishable from it. There is a fine line between relevancy in evangelism and becoming re-grafted into the world…walk carefully these necessary roads on the front-lines, and do not walk it alone, take His holy presence with you!

Anchored To The Sinking Past

I do not wish to imply that our rich heritage is sinking, nor do I mean that our army’s efforts in the past were in vain. What I do wish to imply though is that we cannot be ever looking back, ever insulating heritage, ever trying to recreate it with the same methods. Certain methods in William and Catherine Booth’s era were geared specifically for that era and for that specific demographic in that period in history. Our Founders were revolutionary because they were willing to try new methods that were almost unheard of in churches of that day. They took to the streets and employed these risky methods to the common people who probably never darkened the doors of a church.

I do not want you to take this to mean that we ought to scrap the brass bands, or do away with our doctrines, by no means am I saying this. But have we taken our outward evangelistic methods into our corps and refused to leave the walls of our buildings? Are we afraid to fail? What if simply remaining in our buildings instead of going out IS FAILING? What are we risking today? Are we willing to employ modern methods to reach the culture and people of today? There is certainly risk involved, but we cannot afford to continue employing old methods from eras gone by and expect them to still work like they once did. It isn’t that God’s Word isn’t relevant because it will always be, but rather how we convey that message to an ever changing culture.

Recommendation: Take risks. Get outside. Use modern-relate-able methods. Do not be afraid to fail. Do something!!! Unlock the anchor to our past and look to the present and future! Our rich heritage will always be there, we don’t need to protect it. The founders were progressive and forward thinkers…THAT is the kind of heritage we must protect!

Confronting These Fears:
We can hide away in our corps and headquarters and pretend these fears aren’t real. (I’m not sure anyone is truly willing to do that!) We can pretend that things will get better if we simply ‘stay the course’…or we can take action and confront these fears head on. I for one did not sign up to be included in the ranks of outdated antiques. I signed up to fight this fight and to be the best soldier that I can be. This includes being revolutionary and utilizing new techniques. If we are to continue being a viable fighting force for the Lord we must be willing to adapt to the enemy’s changing battle tactics and most importantly listen to the Lord’s leading. Break the mold, and fight on!

Something more for our Army to ponder today!

August 11, 2014 7

Dear Salvation Army Officer And Soldier – Guard Your Hearts!

As I mentioned yesterday there are some surefire ways to succeed in our mission, however there are also many roads to failure. One of these roads is the pain of losing our first love through moral failure. Let me be clear, we are all called as Children of God to live above reproach and to exercise self-control while we avoid temptation at all cost. The pathway of duty is unfortunately littered with tattered remains of uniforms and lives who have fallen back into lustful and sinful pursuits. This is why holiness in our army is so vital…we move from the altars of salvation into a far deeper lasting relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit can and will supply our needs in order to not only avoid temptations but to provide us victories from our old lives. We are new creations and we must ever be diligent in this new creation to steer clear of the trappings of sin.

Dear Soldier of our Army, sin is still a lure to most of us (if not all of us). Temptations still abounds and, if we are not careful and awake, we can fall prey to these temptations! Guard your hearts, dear Soldier, for the father of lies would love to destroy this Army! Satan quakes when churches and this Army move in holy step, yet if we become unguarded in our hearts and stumble and succumb to temptation you can be sure that Satan will celebrate in our demise!

3 Tools To Help Soldiers To Guard Our Hearts:

1. Think On These Things –

“…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)
Our minds are the front-lines of victory and defeat in the war against sin. What we put into our minds can become who and what we are. If, for example, we wanted to get into shape and to eat right we would not feast on fast-unhealthy-foods morning, noon and night. Doing so would lead us into an unhealthy lifestyle instead of a healthy one.

In the same way, if we want to become more like Christ and less like our old sinful selves, we have to consume that which will be edifying to the Body of Christ (which begins with ourselves). Our minds need to be retrained, we must evict and bar those patterns which are unhealthy and that we know have caused us trouble in the past. We cannot permit them to reside in the same dwelling as our new creation which longs to become the very reflection of Christ. Think upon, meditate on – these things which are holy and pure…it is easily said and much more difficult to make a reality but it is possible for all of us to do!

2. Stay On The Lighted Pathways –

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” (Psalm 119:105)
If, in your old life you have trouble with drinking alcohol, do not walk by the bars you used to frequent. If, in your old life you struggled with sexual temptation and desires, do not test the waters and allow yourself to be in compromising situations. If, in your old life you struggled with other vices which were destructive to your body and soul, do not veer off of the lighted path that God has illuminated for you! Be aware that you too can fall! Saints of God have fallen before and we are also susceptible if we do not remain within His wondrous light of fellowship and guidance. Stay on His Lighted pathway not just through God’s Word but through the fellowship of other godly believers and be held accountable to others who will challenge you and help you develop into a strong warrior for Christ.

This leads me to the last tool that I will mention today:

3. Find Accountability And Resources:

If you think for a moment “I don’t need this, I can handle my own battles” think again! Do not become so prideful in your own abilities to withstand temptation when it comes! We are not meant to walk the pathway of duty alone! We are stronger together as soldiers of our Army! It is not a sign of weakness to seek out mentors, who are more mature brothers and sisters in the faith. We need honesty and integrity in our Army! We must be willing to be vulnerable with trusted Barnabas’ who will encourage us and strengthen us! We need to be properly equipped for the battles ahead that we will face as soldiers…and they will come! We will be tested and the resolve of our faith will, at times, be shaken. How will we fair when those days come? I want to stress again how vital it is for this Army to have soldiers who are strong in their faith and not to possess those who will crumble away when temptation strikes and the earth gives way. Find other saints to talk with. Share your struggles with a trusted friend, a person who will not just pat you on the back and agree with you, but a friend who will challenge you to continue to live this holy life which MUST be pleasing to God!

If there was a threat to the Church and this Army today, it is the shallowness of faith. I do not want to lather on the judgement at all, but how far do your roots go down into the soil of faith? Are you firmly planted or could you be blown away by the gustings of temptation’s gale? May we all be deeply rooted in His Word! May we all be firmly planted in the fertile soil of lasting faith! May we, as Soldiers of THIS Army, guard our hearts against all forms of temptation and sin so that we can stand firm and fight this good fight! The spiritual battle is not over yet, we still wage it daily. If we cannot stand firm in our faith, think on godly thing, remain on the lighted path, and be held accountable to other saints, then how can we expect to serve the lost in His name? How can we ever expect to possess the strength to help pull others from the heavy currents of sin?

Yes God is still working in us, we are still “under-construction”, but we cannot allow that which is unclean to pollute the holiness of God within us either. Dear Salvation Army Officer and Soldier – Guard Your Hearts!

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (Proverbs 4:23)

Something else for our Army to ponder today!

August 8, 2014 1

Dear Salvation Army – 3 Surefire Ways To Succeed In Our Mission

Please do not misunderstand these letter that I have felt compelled to write. They are not meant to injure or cause strife within our Army. Instead, I have felt rather strongly that we can improve, we can do better, we still have room to grow. If you have read one of these letters and perhaps interpreted these thoughts as destructive or harsh, please rest assured I hold no ill will towards the army, I only wish to dialogue and discuss ways we CAN adjust our vision and pathway.

Today I would like to discuss ‘success’.

What Success Is Not:
Success in our Army isn’t about some sort of “name it and claim it” prosperity theology. We have faith in God through both the prosperous times and in the not so prosperous times. Success is not about statistics either…statistics alone are only the evidence of positive trends. These can be helpful as tools towards realizing our mission, but should not be our “mountaintop” conclusion.

Success is not measured in wealth of our army. Money is also a tool that can do great good but also has the potential of doing great harm if mismanaged. Wealth in our army should be measured in the health of corps, divisions and most importantly its Soldiers. Success should not be based upon the financial stability (though as mentioned already money is a very helpful tool).

Having set aside some of the erroneously preconceived notions about success, let us now delve into the 3 surefire ways to succeed in our mission as an Army…

Our Mission As A Salvation Army:
The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian
Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

3 Surefire Ways To Succeed In Our Mission:

1. Love For Christ And a Love For Others

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what’s coming to you in this kingdom. It’s been ready for you since the world’s foundation. And here’s why:

I was hungry and you fed me,
I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,
I was homeless and you gave me a room,
I was shivering and you gave me clothes,
I was sick and you stopped to visit,
I was in prison and you came to me.’ (Matthew 25:35)

The principle of a successful mission begins and ends with love. It goes beyond our “lovey-dovey” kind of love that was evident in summer camps as teenagers. It goes beyond a simple “like” of people. We must love God first. Simply put, without this love and devotion to Him we will never contain the capacity of love for others that is required of our Army. We administer God’s grace to some very unlovable people from time to time. Some have been hardened by the world around them and through horrendous circumstances that no one else knows. Loving the unlovable is not possible unless we possess, retain, frequently reconnect with the love of God. Our relationship to Him and our love for Him must continue to be the catalyst of our mission. Without His love we can do nothing. Without the love for “Others” our mission is incomplete and will not see continued success. We mustn’t lose this connection with our first love, because from it pours the compassion and grace to love those around us that He has called us to.

2. Be An Avid Reader And Student Of God’s Word:

“Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction.” (2 Timothy 4:2)

We must not misplace our desire to know more about our wondrous Savior. Secondly we must not ever get to a point in our spiritual formation and education and say within our hearts “I have learned it all, nothing more can be taught to me.” God help us if we ever become so prideful of our own human wisdom and foolishly think that the Holy Spirit can not instruct us more. The Word of God is living and active and we must ever be good students of His Word. This goes far beyond going to bible studies or even teaching Bible studies. This takes us to a place that we intentionally carve out blocks of time in our daily schedules to feast and meditate on His Word. Do not take it lightly or only pick it up in preparation for a sermon or for Sunday morning. God’s Word is our life’s blood and our source of truth in an often very murky world. We cannot and will not ever success in our Mission as an Army if we are not first students of His Word. Becoming a student of God’s Word will not only give us passages to share with the hurting and lost but also provide us deeper insight in God’s presence with His holy people.

3. Holiness, Holiness, Holiness:

I keep coming back to this point of ‘Holiness‘ in my life and perhaps there are implications here for all of us. More and more I have been convicted by the Holy Spirit that I still have more to give, more to surrender to His will in my life. This isn’t a ‘One and done’ deal or some sort of check-off list of action steps this is living a life of holiness everyday. Some days I succeed, while other days I am a complete and utter disaster of holiness. Becoming like Christ in every way shape and form in our sacrificial living as an Army MUST be first our individual goal and then our corporate aim. We can “go through the motions” of works. We can walk the pathway of duty and never reflect Christ in our hearts. We can be very good at pretending sometimes around other soldiers, officers and even those we serve, but we cannot fool the Lord. If we do not have our hearts bent and rent to the will of our Savior we cannot be prompted into a deeper surrender by the Holy Spirit. Every day we should have words similar to “I surrender all” on our lips and in our hearts. Every moment of every day we should attempt to include God’s Holy presence with us in whatever task we perform until we can walk, live and even breathe holiness. You might consider this impossible. You might view a full surrender of your heart to God as something of a dream that could never come true…is God not capable? Can He not perform this miracle in our lives? We must be willing – Yes, this is true. We must possess some measure of faith. He can transform us and make us new. He has already begun this great work within us.

Dear Salvation Army,

Our Mission is Christ and Others! We cannot perform these tasks here on earth without our first love and the love of others. We cannot complete our mission without sound doctrine and becoming students of His Word. We cannot realize the vision of the lost within the sea of sin and drowning hopelessness without individual and corporate holiness in this army. We need each other as accountability partners. We need reconciliation when brokenness of organization has occurred. We need soldiers willing to fight and to stand in the gap even when it seems all hope is gone…because God has not departed from us. He will ever be our guide. He will always lead us if we are truly listening to our first love…are we?

Something more for our Army to ponder today.

August 7, 2014 1