So today is the day!
Even on The Salvation Army’s International Headquarters’ Website the promise of an Imminent announcement is posted for the world to see. Below that is the live video link to be tuned in so that everyone can watch the announcement:
http://www.salvationarmy.org/ihq/tv
Soon, all of our speculations and discussions will be moot as the High Council’s decision will be announced and we will have our next General.
Are you ready?
For all intense and purposes the High Council could quite possibly reach a decision tomorrow on the prospective General nominations. They could very well announce this news as quickly as tomorrow (Saturday, August 3rd) as well!
Here is the official transcript of today’s update:
// 02 AUGUST 2013 //
‘¿A QUE tú no sabes lo que en High Council pasó?’ were the words sung by the Hispanic members of the High Council at the commencement of the fifth day of the proceedings of the 18th High Council of The Salvation Army – ‘Don’t you know what happened at the High Council?’
The song explained: ‘Don’t you know what happened in Damascus? The Holy Spirit was poured out on Saul. Don’t you know what happened at the High Council? The Holy Spirit was poured out on everyone.’
The Chaplain (Commissioner James Condon) read from Revelation 1:6: ‘[Jesus] has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father’ (New International Version), then led the council members in singing ‘Unto Thee, O Saviour-King’ (The Song Book of The Salvation Army 532), drawing attention to the line: ‘Body, soul and spirit, all in obedience to thy call.’ The verse, words and songs chosen were extremely apt as members prepared to listen as each candidate and each spouse answered a specific set of questions prepared for them.
The candidates had 24 hours to work on their questionnaire answers and speeches which meant the translators worked into the early hours of the morning to ensure every member was able to follow the proceedings clearly and to have a copy of the speeches being read.
The answers to the questionnaires were delivered without interruption and received in silence in accordance with the Orders of Procedure. After each candidate and spouse had finished there followed opportunity for members to ask clarifying – but not additional – questions.
Later in the day the candidates delivered their speeches, which were again received without comment but followed by a period of contemplative silence.
After the speeches the President (Commissioner William Roberts) adjourned the council for the night with the invitation to return in the morning to begin voting for the 20th General of The Salvation Army.
The Chaplain had the final word: ‘The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer’ (1 Peter 3:12) he reminded council members, before closing in prayer.
Report by Major Christine Clement
High Council Communications Officer
Photo: Major Makoto Yamaya (Japanese translator) gains a perspective of how members will experience voting.
(via the web: http://www.salvationarmy.org/ihq/news/inr020813)
// 01 AUGUST 2013 //
IT would be easy to say that on day four of the High Council nothing happened. However, the day – falling on a Thursday – began with the members joining Salvationists internationally in the Worldwide Prayer Meeting. This was introduced by the Chaplain (Commissioner James Condon) with words of Scripture and suggested topics for prayer. The members divided into groups to enable everyone to participate and voice their prayers more easily .
Readers who are following this High Council and who have read Retired General John Larsson’s article ‘How the High Council elects a General’ will know that once the candidates are known the High Council adjourns for a day. The candidates and spouses work on their speeches and answers to the questions they will answer when the council reconvenes.
Some members have attended more than one High Council but for other territorial leaders it is their first experience. What were their impressions of the High Council and all that had happened so far? Commissioner Vinece Chigariro (Kenya East Territory) – at her third High Council – felt that, so far, it had been spiritually inspiring. She said she was very aware of the spirit of unity among the members.
This was echoed by Colonels Patrick and Anne-Dore Naud (Germany and Lithuania Territory) who were attending for the first time. They had read General Larsson’s description of the workings of a High Council yet confessed it still sounded mysterious. However, through they felt that the articles and the information on the Internet brought the happenings closer to all interested people. They were aware of people supporting in prayer particularly for the specific happenings of each stage.
This is endorsed by the interest that is being shown in the High Council website, Facebook page and Twitter account which have been set up by International Headquarters. The video of the opening day of the High Council has been viewed more than 8,000 times and the publication of photographs on Monday night resulted in 47,655 views.
Although India and Nepal seem many miles distant from the happenings in London, Colonel Lalngaihawmi (Territorial Commander, India Eastern Territory) said that the Salvationists of her territory were very much a part of all that was happening through prayer: ‘The people are not detached in any way. At corps [churches] the High Council has been one of the main topics for a number of weeks.’
Commissioners Lalzamlova and Nu-i (International Secretary and Zonal Secretary for Women’s Ministries, South Asia) reinforced the feeling of unity being sensed in the council and their assurance that proceedings had not been rushed in any way.
Among all members there is a sense of privilege in having been called to the High Council, a feeling that they are participating in a unique event and that together they are listening to and being directed by the Holy Spirit. Colonel Lalngaihawmi summarised the experience as ‘a great privilege yet a great responsibility. We are all humble people,’ she said, ‘with a special task to fulfil.’
Tomorrow morning (Friday 2 August) the council will reconvene to continue its ‘special task’ when the candidates address the High Council.
Report by Major Christine Clement
High Council Communications Officer
via the web: http://www.salvationarmy.org/ihq/news/inr010813b
“ON the third morning of the 18th High Council of The Salvation Army, the Chaplain’s prayers centred on God’s people being united in the Spirit. Using the song ‘Saviour and Lord, We Pray to Thee’ (The Song Book of The Salvation Army 692) the Chaplain (Commissioner James Condon) emphasised the prayer being made: ‘Pour out thy Spirit … and let thy love thy will dictate.’
The members from the six Indian territories were invited to sing, and they presented a simple chorus: ‘Hallelujah, Praise the Lord!’ in which everyone was able to join. After members had spent time in prayer with one another the Chaplain concluded with words of Jesus: ‘I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one – I in them and you in me – so that they may be brought to complete unity’ (John 17: 22, 23 New International Version).
The day’s business began with the Chair of the Questions Committee being invited to describe the work of the committee in compiling the proposed questionnaires for General and the spouse of the General. Commissioner Clive Adams explained that all questions submitted by members had been reviewed by the committee and had provided the basis for the final draft questionnaires which were considered and approved by the full council. This part of the High Council’s business concluded, the council moved to the nomination of candidates.
To prepare themselves for the next part of the proceedings members sang: ‘Here, Lord, assembled in thy name thy work to do, thy help we claim’ (Song 581). Reading from James 3, the Chaplain reminded everyone of the wisdom they needed, before offering prayer.
A quiet, prayerful atmosphere pervaded the chamber as members of the High Council received their nomination papers and left the room to fulfil the task entrusted to them.
The candidates who have accepted nomination to stand for election to the office of General are:
Commissioner André Cox,
Commissioner Kenneth Hodder,
Commissioner James Knaggs,
Commissioner Dick Krommenhoek
and Commissioner Barry Swanson.
Commissioner Clive Adams declined the nomination
via website: http://www.salvationarmy.org/ihq/news/inr310713
We’ve all heard of vision casting, and of planning for the future. Most, if not all churches do this. We set goals in order to attain or sometimes maintain mission and purpose. We also set goals so that, as churches, there is continued visible area of measurable growth.
Two Dangers in goal setting:
1) Setting the bar too high –
When we dream lofty dreams, at times, we have our heads in the clouds and our feet barely touching reality. Setting the bar too high on what our congregation or ministry team can accomplish can be self-defeating in that when a goal date comes and goes and we are no where near our projected accomplishment we run the risk of self-inflicted failure. Team leaders and other church members might become weary of goal planning and lack of success that they give up or simply stop attempting to assist in future plans and goals.
Setting the bar too high can lead to failure and begin to pull the team apart in various polarizing views. In “dreaming big”, we have to be careful that we have the available resources to ‘pull-off’ the goal(s). The danger is we often say things like; ‘when we have the right people in place‘, or ‘when we get this or that in place‘ but the problem is we cannot rely on “if” and “when” to accomplish our goals. To do so, we set goals and objectives far too high to experience any kind of measurable success.
Danger #2
2) Setting the bar too low –
Even though we shouldn’t set the bar too high, we also should be wary of setting the bar far too low. This type of goal setting may at the onset appear to find quick success but these low expectations will limit any long term measurable goals. Why would this be the case? Because instead of taking calculated risks and setting goals that we have the resources for one who sets the bar too low will take baby steps instead of leaps. When leaps are available in goal setting success yet aren’t attempted, members of the team or congregation can become frustrated at the lack of progressive movement. By that I mean, team members can see where our mission ought to be but when we fall short of it by dreaming/planning too small we frustrate the future.
Finding our Goldilocks:
If we can avoid setting lofty goals while at the same time not settling for too small a goal set, then we can finally find goldilocks goals. You know the old story of Goldilocks don’t you? The porridge and the beds were chosen…and finally she found the ones that were just right!
In the same way each team or congregation ought to set goals that are appropriate for their specific demographic and skill set. It does no good to model oneself on the blueprints of another church or ministry; nor will it work to simply transplant what worked in another place. Each team or congregation ought to find their own specific sweet spot. What is it that your group, church, team does well? Find these sweet spots and set your goals appropriately.
Don’t limit the Holy Spirit by setting your goals too low, or dreaming too small. But don’t dream lofty and impossible goals well beyond your resources and manpower either!
Find your sweet spot and then set your Goldilocks goals.
-Just a thought.
Think of it. A life completely devoted to the cause of Christ. Not a divided life, where half is devoted to Christ and half is devoted to self…but completely and utterly surrendered to the cause of Christ.
For some, dare I say most, being Christ’s broken bread sounds great on paper. It even sounds romantic to some degree, but truly living a broken life before God and man is an extremely daunting task indeed.
Galatians 2:20 the Apostle Paul tells us; “I have been Crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and have himself for me.”
There is a very disturbing image for us here. The suffering and death of Christ for the world becomes the very image we too take on as we become Christ’s broken bread to the world around us. It transforms us into what Christ said would happen to His disciples: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:24-26)
Our borrowed time, our pooled financial resources, our hobbies and precious treasures…they mean nothing if they are not subjected to the filter of Christ on the cross. Everything will eventually pass away. Everything will eventually disappear from us. But one thing will remain: God’s love for us, His people.
In return, our duty, our purpose for living ought to transform our thoughts, our passions, our perceptions of the stuff we own…all of it in the spectrum of grace and redemption.
Why do we need to become Christ’s broken bread?
Because there are countless souls in our world who need salvation! There are many lives who are still lost in the darkness of sin and certain death! Without willing servants of Christ giving their all in His services, they will perish! Some might utter the excuses like “the Holy Spirit can save them”, and rightly so but Christ has sent US to be His ambassadors into this world. The Holy Spirit is with us in this venture! Without the willing hands and feet of Christ, who have been broken and humbles before His love and grace, the great commission cannot be fulfilled.
We are called people. Set apart for His holy purpose in this world wrought with sin! People in our own neighborhoods are lost and in need of anyone who is willing to love them and show them this amazing Christ whom we serve! There are countless souls caught up in addictions of all kinds who are in need of the extension of grace that Christ has given to us.
Who will be Christ’s broken bread to them? Will you? Will I? This isn’t some part-time calling. It’s full-time within our occupations and our passions! We are called to be His broken bread to the world, and that starts with our family’s, neighbors, friends and even enemies. It will not be easy! There will be days in which we will utterly fail along the way. Other days when we will be scorned and mocked. Yet this humbled state of servants of Christ brings upon our lives such a richness of mercy, grace and love!
-Just a thought.
“My life must be Christ’s broken bread,
My love his outpoured wine,
A cup o’erfilled, a table spread
beneath his name and sign,
that other souls, refreshed and fed,
may share his life through mine.“
(Albert Orsborn SASB 512)
As reported by IHQ news website, source listed below:
/ 30 JULY 2013 //
THE second day of the 18th High Council of The Salvation Army commenced with worship led by the Chaplain (Commissioner James Condon). He called on all the African officers and those who had served in Africa to contribute a song, and they reminded members that ‘Every day and every hour, you are faithful, O Lord!’ The Scriptures were shared and moments of prayer followed.
The work of any High Council is guided by its Orders of Procedure. These orders are described by General John Larsson (Retired) as ‘the accrued wisdom and experience of all past councils’. One of the first tasks of any High Council is to review and, if necessary, amend the procedures.
With the revised Orders of Procedure adopted the council continued its work with the election of permanent Tellers and the Questions Committee, whose members prepare the questionnaire for which each member may submit one question. Commissioner Clive Adams (United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland) was elected as chairperson, and the other members are Commissioner William Cochrane (International Headquarters), Commissioner Marie Willermark (Sweden and Latvia Territory), Commissioner Kenneth Hodder (Kenya West Territory) and Commissioner Caroline Seiler (USA Central Territory). In addition the President can appoint two members – in this instance Commissioner Malcolm Induruwage (Sri Lanka Territory) and Commissioner Vinece Chigariro (Kenya East Territory).
Each nominee for the office of General will be required to answer the same set of questions. In this way the High Council works towards the nomination of candidates for election as the 20th General later in the week – the sole reason for the High Council having been summoned.
Although much has been accomplished in the past two days Commissioner Irene Induruwage (Territorial President of Women’s Ministries, Sri Lanka Territory), attending her second High Council, felt that the council’s work was progressing steadily yet without any sense of pressure. Indeed, she felt that people were open to God’s Spirit and had a sense that what they do today will affect tomorrow.
Report by Major Christine Clement
High Council Communications Officer
The issues identified in the group discussions of July 27 were placed in priority order. Each member was allotted 23 points to spread across the issues discussed. One could give one point to every item or give as many as five points to any item.
The following received the highest totals from the group as a whole:
Spiritual life of the Army: 436
Ministry to youth and children: 223
Financing the international mission: 220
Gay and lesbian issues: 192
Leadership recruitment, development and training: 188
Marriage and family life: 168
Focus on mission: 151
Self denial, self support: 144
SalvationArmy identity: 142
(via http://www.southernspiritonline.org/high-council-group-discussion-issues/)
Father,
Let my hands, marred and filthy
Be cleansed, purified and true
So that I can reach a world that’s dying
And let them find you.
Spirit,
Let this tongue, course and violent
Touch the coals from your holy fire
So that I might speak of truth
And love might penetrate this liar.
Jesus,
Let my heart, selfish and vain
Beat for the hurting and the lost
So that, with your power and might
Your blood might drown the cost
Holiness,
What my heart should love and fear
Christlikeness, breaking sin’s dark mold
This body, soul and mind brought low
So that I, in Christ, a servant…may be bold.
Pastor's Ponderings 