Dear Salvation Army: “Politics, Placation and the Papacy…”

…First the Papacy:
Pope Francis has done it again.
One could categorize him as a pope who is polarizing.
Still others might categorize him as a pope who has made difficult choices but also the right choices.
However you view this leader of the Catholic church, he is certainly NOT your average run of the mill Pope.
His latest leadership decision has been to appoint Cardinals and out of the 15 nominees, 9 hail from emerging countries of the developing world. News link: Pope Francis Names New Cardinals
I find it interesting that this leader has appointed new Cardinals from emerging countries. Think of it?! These countries do not have as much political or financial power as places like Italy, France, the United States and the United Kingdom but Pope Francis has appointed a majority of the new Cardinals from these places anyway?
Why?
This comes after his strong chastisement of current leadership and even stated they had “spiritual Alzheimer’s”.
Perhaps this leader has made these difficult decisions because they were the right decisions to make.
Perhaps, instead of placating incumbent, staunch “comfy” leaders, it was time to appoint new ones.
Perhaps, this leader (Pope Francis) recognizes where a majority of his church’s growth is taking place.

Is There a TSA Translation?
I’d like to say that we have it made in our Army.
That everything is hunky dory and peachy…but we have growth issues too!
When an organization stops growing and/or plateaus it can be a warning sign.

Questions:
Are we recognizing the fastest growing armies (Salvation Army corps, divisions, territories that is) in the developing world?
Do we, at times, play the political game because of where a majority of our World Services funds come from?
Do we, at times, placate and position ourselves in order to appoint leaders?
Some of these questions are well beyond me.
What do I know?
I am a lowly Captain.
But I am a soldier of this army.
I believe our voices are important…don’t you?
But it seems to me that there is something for us here.
Please don’t misunderstand my point.
I do not wish to emulate any other denomination other than our own.
We were created for a purpose, a holy purpose I believe.
We are not the Catholic church…nor should we ever strive to be.
We DO have much to learn though.
In retrospect we are this very, very, young Mission/Army of the Universal Christian Church (big ‘C’).
We have some growing to do.
God is not finished with us yet.
Perhaps, within this “growing”, there will be pains, groans, the occasional adjustment.

Are we all that we can be as an Army? (Sorry if I stole a line there from an old United States Army slogan)
Are we wise enough yet in our 150 year existence to recognize the need to shuck off politics, placating practices and to see the bigger Army – world wide?

I believe politics and policies at times ties our hands.
It hog ties us.
It holds us captive.
Dare I say, it places limits on the moving of the Holy Spirit in our Army…especially when there are far too many “hoops” to jump through these days to get anything done. Could it be that we have become like pharisees in rule keeping that we have far too many laws and rules to abide by that we truly cannot keep them all?

I’m certainly not advocating anarchy by any means, but I am wondering where this Army is going if we are too bogged down with maintaining instead of expanding this mission of the Lord?

Who knows, perhaps there IS something that we can learn from this rebel-rouser Pope…perhaps the days of Joe the Turk aren’t dead after all in this army…here’s to hoping anyway!
Something more for our Army to ponder today.
To God be the Glory.

January 5, 2015 1

What’s Killing The Church And Is It A Bad Thing?

The Church is dying at least in the traditional sense.
Perhaps it is not visibly seen in the mega church realms yet, but something is taking place in churches all around the United States. If one were to look solely at church attendance through the lens of entities such as the Barna group, one would see that the decline is quite remarkable and seems to continue trending this way for years to come.

Perhaps we have been asking the “why” question for quite some time now.
Perhaps that’s not the right question.
Perhaps the question we should be asking ourselves is this: “Is this really a bad thing?”

We are currently living in a world where spiritualism is on the rise while an individual identification of a specific religion is at an all time low. One might say that this is a terrible trend. One could argue, and rightly so, that spiritualism leads to many roads and many uncertain practices. Recently even Pope Benedict XVI chastised the leadership of the Catholic church for it’s polarizing mission.

Is the death of “Church” really a bad thing?
Pristine buildings.
Ritual practices.
Worship songs devoid of meaning.
Sermons with the same rhetoric and religious jargon.
…you get my point don’t you?
It sounds quite cynical I know.
But sometimes certain truths should be peeled back.
Sometimes we must allow our eyes to look upon the ugly cancerous parts of the church.
When the heart no longer follows the path of the holy.
When certain practices become high places and replaces the Most High.
Could it be that the death of “Church” is due to its first love being replaced with hollow practice, shallow traditions devoid of the Divine? I hope not, I really do.

But, if this is truly the case, is the death of such a shallow form really so bad after all?
Could it be that out of its ashes an authentic remnant, a reinvigorated, holy people shall rise again? Isn’t that sort of biblical? Every time the Hebrew people prostituted themselves out to foreign gods and false, shallow practices God led them into a time of spiritual death through captivity through foreign powers.

Is this a wake up call?
Is this a call into a deeper holiness?
Is this a warning to discard all that would distract?
Are we what Christ intended His disciples to become?
Are we still growing…or is our growth stunted, atrophied and broken?

Not to sound like a cliche’ but we cannot afford to simply go through the motions of religious practice.
We weren’t saved for this purpose.
We are all called to higher, more holy purpose.
Do we know what that holy purpose is anymore?
Have we lost our way?

I sure hope not…I really do.
Something more to ponder today.
To God be the glory!

December 30, 2014 2

Dear Salvation Army, Warning – Spiritual Alzheimer’s and Atrophy!

Pope Francis recently criticized his own church’s bureaucratic leaders of being power hungry and having spiritual Alzheimer’s.
Wow! Hearing those words strewn together for me has become a warning of sorts to us here in the Army. This is something very practical that I believe we too face in the Army.

Politics & Bureaucracy:
Politics and bureaucracy exists in every church regardless of denomination.
Believe it or not, dear soldier, we too have this struggle in our army. We too have, at times, individual leaders who suffer from spiritual Alzheimer’s . We too have, at times, have individual leaders who are afflicted with spiritual atrophy of the heart. Politics and favoritism is nothing new and it certainly does happen within this army too. Does that make it ever right? Absolutely not. Can God intercede? He certainly can and He will.

The Real Danger In Our Army:
You see, dear soldier, the real danger in our Army doesn’t come from outside, it comes from within.
We can be our own worst enemies at times. We can get so caught up in preserving these political games and regulations that we, in effect, execute fellow soldiers for it. The danger in our army IS SPIRITUAL ALZHEIMER’S! The danger in our army is SPIRITUAL ATROPHY! This can happen not just to people within executive levels of leadership though, don’t fool yourself into thinking you are immune, No! This can happen to anyone within our ranks of this Army! Be careful! Watch out! Don’t lose sight of who you serve and why you serve!

To the power hungry:
Your craving for power will eventually ruin you.
Your lust for positions and destroy your ministry.

To those afflicted:
You have become the church of Laodicea…so watch out!
Turn back! Seek repentance. God will not honor your efforts of lukewarm spirituality!
He will not honor these petty offerings of lip service and displays of “soldiership”. God knows our hearts!
God doesn’t want these afflictions to destroy us! He wants us to be spiritually healthy, not spiritually atrophied!

Dear soldier, look out for these pitfalls in our Army! Spiritual Alzheimer’s and Atrophy is very real!
Be aware of them. Do not slip into the same trap as others have already done! Do not forsake your first love for the lust of power and position. Do not become slack in your devotion to Him. Do not keep Him too far from your heart and mind. We need you! We need the next generation to step up and be on fire again for the Lord! We need more than lip service and positions telling us how to move this army forward. We must not stop fighting for the lost and seeking to help the marginalized in our world! When those who become afflicted with such spiritual diseases see the marginalized and poor they close their doors to your offices of power and close their eyes as well. We cannot afford to do this, dear soldier! We were commissioned by God, as Christ’s disciples first to lead others to Him. We must not falter in this. We must never close our doors and close our eyes! If we ever do, we not only jeopardize our spiritual walk but the potential spiritual walk of those seeking.

Beware, dear soldier, Spiritual Alzheimer’s and spiritual atrophy are very, very real to our army.

-More for our Army to ponder today.
To God be the glory!

December 22, 2014 2

Dear Salvation Army, Nativity or Negativity?

It is easy to do.
To dwell upon negative comments.
To feast upon the criticism.
Somethings are just not good enough for anyone.
Let’s face it, you just cannot please everyone all of the time.

But…
why do we allow the negativity of others to penetrate our defenses?
why do we have to have defenses in the first place?
why do we have to constantly be on guard?

In this season of joyful anticipation and as we reflect upon Christ’s birth once more, chances are we will face negativity, harsh comments and barbed words. It is easy to become jaded during a very arduous season!
Even though this season has been conveniently coined “the season of giving”, sometimes what people give is pain, words that are sharpened to a point, and sadness. Many times, dear soldier, we work and work and work to help people in need only to face a moment of criticism by someone and it all seems to crash to ground like a house of cards. Do you know what I’m talking about today? Have you experienced this? Perhaps this negativity comes in the form of one we are trying to give generously to who spurns our efforts because it doesn’t meet their standards. Perhaps it comes in the form of a volunteer who criticizes the way that you have organized and led this ragtag group of ‘do-gooders’. In one fell swoop your anticipation for that ‘warm fuzzies’ in the stomach while helping those in need is left dangling upon an open pit of flames as you utter sarcastically under your breath “thanks a lot!”

I hope I’m not painting a scene of hopelessness here today for you. That is not my purpose in writing this, dear soldier.
My purpose for writing this is to remind us all that we aren’t working for the ‘chin nods‘ and approval of people, we are working (because of faith) in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We are attempting to emulate His selflessness in our sometimes feeble attempts. That doesn’t mean that we don’t keep the standards high in our preparations and organization, but it does mean that our attempts at helping those in need; our attempts at raising funds and giving love and hope to those without love and hope should be impervious to destructive criticism and harsh judgments upon us. The reality is that because we have invested and given ourselves completely over to these tasks, we will take these slings and arrows very personally.

A reminder:
Man isn’t your judge in terms of the service that you give to God.
You serve a higher calling. You are set apart. You matter. You have value!
Negativity will come. Destructive criticism (not to be confused with constructive God-honoring accountability) will come.
We will not please everyone in these efforts of mercy, hope and love. Some will come to us to rage just because they enjoy raging.

Remember:
It’s sounds cliche’, tired and old, but remember Christ this Christmas.
Don’t get dragged down into the pits of negativity.
Don’t wallow in these places.
They will never make you into the person God has called you to be.
These places will only serve to make you bitter and burned out.
Take time to get away for even a few minutes.
Catch your breath.
Pray.
Feast on His promises.
Remember the birth of Christ.
Read it again. Chew on the lessons within the text. Apply humility and love in your responses when all you want to do is rage back.

Dear Soldier, remember
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12

All my work is for the Master,
He is all my heart’s desire;
O that he may count me faithful
In the day that tries by fire!
(SASB 522, chorus)

Something more for our Army to ponder today.
To God be the glory!

December 17, 2014 1

Dear Salvation Army, Officer’s Kids…

I am an Officer’s kid. For those who have no idea what I am talking about, let me explain.
No, my parents weren’t in the military. My parents were/are Salvation Army Officers.
Being an Officer’s kid is a lot like being a Pastor’s kid.
Being an Officer’s kid is also nothing like being a Pastor’s kid.
Is that as clear as mud? Good.

Backing up,
I am an Officer’s kid…
So was my father and mother.
So were my Grandparents.
My Great-grand parents were the first in our family to join the ranks of this fledgling army here in the United States.

Being an Officer’s kid is a unique thing.
People expect more from you.
People expect you to act a certain way.
People expect you to be more mature than the rest of the kids your age.
In short, the expectations for Officer’s kids are unfair and perhaps the bar is set too high.

There is also the running joke that if one marries into the army and also has family in the army that a blood test is required to ensure your soon to be bride is not related. Seriously, sometimes the life of an Officer’s kid can become solely an “army” bubble…and that, in my opinion, is not always healthy.

Back to Officer’s kids and expectations…
I recall meeting many officers kids while living with my parents growing up. We moved to various locations including South Africa, St. Helena and places in the central states of the U.S. I have met some very straight-laced Officer kids, who in turn grew up to also become Officers themselves, and I have met some rebel Officer kids who pushed back at every turn.

Are the expectations of Officer kids fair? In short, I believe that the answer is a resounding “No“!
Do these expectations of Officer’s kids sometimes lead to them wanting nothing to do with the Army when they grow up? In short, I believe that the answer is a resounding “Yes“!
Other times, and I have witnessed this, Officer’s kids have seen how the Army and its leadership has treated their parents and because of those seemingly unholy moments, they have walked away from this movement.
Could we use a little more compassion in our Army? Yes.
More understanding? Yes.
The ability to understand the hectic lives of Officers who have young children in their homes? Yes, yes, yes!

One might contend that Officers know what they are getting into when they sign their covenant…but did their children sign it too? Do they tag along during the kettle season? Do they help out, sometimes as the best and only volunteer on Sunday mornings? Do they go where their parents tell them to go? Many these Officer kids have unknowingly signed the covenant of officership too.

It is the nature of this organization.
There will be cause and effect.
A ripple here might become a wave on the other side…

Questions:
How might we improve the lives of Officer’s Kids?
Does this responsibility fall squarely on the parents?
Does the corps, does DHQ, THQ, IHQ have a role in this as well?
What of the many who have left the army following reaching adulthood? Is there something to learn from those experiences?

This isn’t some sort of “Woe is me” edition of Pastorsponderings, this is just me hoping to teach my kids the importance of being their own individual and walk their own spiritual path. I’m not saying I didn’t or am not right now…because I have. How can we improve this ever changing facet of Officer families for the better? Are we making strides today? Yes I believe we are. Is there more work to be done in this sometimes forgotten aspect of “Army life”? Yes I believe there is.

Honestly, I haven’t arrived at a conclusion on this today.
I am simply pondering the nature and nurture of Officer Kids.
I understand them.
I was one.
I sympathize.
I know that there are also perks, privileges and opportunities.

Honestly, I would like to hear from you. What do you make of Officer Kids?
Were/Are you one? Are you a Pastor’s kid…you can somewhat relate too.
How about a missionary kid? You fit this mold to some extend too.
From the outside looking in – Soldiers and friends, how do you see Officer’s kids?

Something more to ponder in our Army world today.

December 5, 2014 29

Slapping on the “Christian” Label

It’s a pet peeve of mine.
I’m feeling a little snarky…sorry.

…here goes…

I’m not a fan of “Christian” businesses.
There, I’ve said it. Sometimes people just slap on the “Christian” label to compensate for less than stellar service. Sometimes it becomes a moniker for some sort of exclusive group which puts “church” in a business box and a societal bubble. What happened to “go into all the world and the preach the gospel to all creation…”(Mark 16:15)? If Christians, and those who own “Christian” businesses, (is that really a “thing” anyway?) only live in their little Christian bubbles then how can they reach out with the good news of the gospel?

It seems to me that at times these “Christian” business labels actually hurt the mission of Christ more than it helps the mission of Christ.

Someone might argue that this kind of label sets the business a part from other businesses, and that it can be a witnessing tool. Perhaps it can, but from what I have witnessed there is a dark underside to this sort of practice. The dark underside attempts to use the Ichthus on its front doors then sells an overpriced product or service. I have witnessed some who have professed to being “Christians” in their businesses do some very unethical things…what kind of witness is that? If I were a person seeking religion or faith and I witnessed this kind of display from one professing to be a Christian, I would walk away and never think twice about Christianity.

Hey Business people who slap on this “Christian” label…perhaps you’re actually hindering the mission Christ more than you’re helping it. Seriously, if you aren’t willing to walk the walk when you bear the name “Christian“, then maybe you should take down the crucifixes, the ichthus’ on your business cards and the “Jesus loves you” sign on your office wall.

Because the truth is…
If you slap on the “Christian” label and you don’t actually live up to those standards, you’re doing the rest of the Christ-followers an extreme disservice. I don’t wish to mince words here. I honestly avoid these businesses. Perhaps I’m a little jaded. I physically cringe when I see that label slapped around just to make an extra buck or two. It’s disingenuous and seriously, I doubt it’s God-honoring.

Couldn’t we just live our witness by how we conduct ourselves rather than plastering the “God” posters everywhere?
Couldn’t we let Jesus be seen by our high ethical practices in the business setting rather than a business gimmick?
I believe we can.

seriously, could you please tone back the “Christianity”?
I’m not saying don’t witness, but perhaps just maybe our actions could speak louder than words…or signs and labels.

Something more to ponder…

December 1, 2014 4

Dear Salvation Soldier…shhhhhhh

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29

This is a call to deeper holiness, not a chastisement.
This is both personal and corporate.

How many times have I struggled with this problem?…I’m not telling…How about you?

In the Corps:
There is nothing that hinders corps growth more than loose lips and mindless gossip. Often it is also the hardest to remove as well. Why is gossip, slander and unkind talk such a difficulty? Why can we not control our tongues?

A number of years ago, we had a salty individual who came to our corps. This person would constantly say unkind things to us as well as behind our backs…and it got worse. New people began to come to our corps. Fresh faces, eager to learn more about Christ…then it happened. This individual looked back at the new couple and said, “who the hell is that“? Let me just tell you that there are no words that one can find to describe our shock and horror. We confronted this person. Asked them to apologize. This person refused and they couldn’t believe we had come to them asking for something that seemed outrageous in their opinion. Finally I called that person, they answered, I talked and told them it had to stop (there had been many more incidents), I was told in no uncertain terms where I could take my words and where to put them. This person has since left the corps altogether but not before driving away new members and potential members.

Brothers and sisters in Christ,
fellow Soldiers of our Army, the tongue is a mighty and dangerous weapon! We MUST be careful and aware of how sharply words can cut. Gossip, slander and biting attitudes can dissolve a corps fellowship faster than nearly anything else!

Remedies:
1) Don’t ignore it in your corps.
If we ignore this virus of words, it will not go away.
It will still remain and it will only increase because ignoring it actually gives it more power. Address it appropriately. Privately, if possible. Do so with other Local Officers and elders who are trustworthy and upright. (This is scriptural!)

2) Stinkin’ Thinkin’ or Edifying Thoughts?
“Finally, brothers and sisters, 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

Do not even entertain stinkin’ thinkin’! Don’t allow it to be consumed into your life! Cut off the mindless gossip of others, or just walk away. Don’t let it gain even a small foothold in your thoughts and lifestyle. Whatever you consume in your thoughts becomes who you are!

If we are a body of Christ then we have to put to death these thoughts along with all of the other idolatrous, sinful things. (Colossians 3:5)

3) Accountability!
If you struggle with negative, unhealthy thoughts and speech, then talk to a trusted brother and sister in Christ! Talk to someone who will hold you to your promises and convictions, not someone who will placate you. Seek out someone who you can be challenged by and who will commit to holding you to your word.

4) Baby Steps…but don’t quit!
Sorry, Bill Murry’s performance in ‘What About Bob‘ just came to mind. “Baby steps, baby steps” We will not conquer this blight of negativity from our thoughts and tongues immediately. Certainly the Holy Spirit can alleviate this immediately, but more than likely we will have to work very hard at conquering this issue. We will have to take baby steps or small victories one at a time. Don’t get frustrated if you stumble now and then, but don’t use that as an excuse either! Remember we are called to this higher calling and if we are to be truly set apart then we have to submit everything to the will of Christ including our thought process and our tongues.

Dear Salvation Soldier,
Can we submit this sword (our tongues) completely for the cause of Christ?
We will face resistance.
We will face trials.
It will NOT be easy.
We will be tempted to share juicy gossip or respond with biting words.
But seriously, we need to just stop and SHHHHHHHHHH, when all we can think about saying will injure, cause harm and damage this vital fellowship of Christ.

Don’t overlook this dangerous foe!
Don’t underestimate it’s power on your corps either!
Something more for our Army to ponder today!
To God Be The Glory!

November 14, 2014 5

Dear Salvation Army, A Post-it-note Over The Problem?…

When I was in college my roommate told me about a friend of his who headed home for for the holidays. She was unaccustomed to car maintenance and while on the journey a “check engine” light came on. She wasn’t sure of what to do, but the light became an annoyance to her. Did she stop at a gas station and ask for help? No. She just kept on driving but the little “check engine” light still glowed and caught her eye and was more of a nuisance than a problem.

What was her solution?
Call home? No.
Finally stop? No.
Her solution: She placed a post-it-note over the glowing warning light.
Problem solved right? Out of sight, out of mind…wrong.

It may have been covered over by the post-it-note, but it was still there. The problem was still real. The inevitable was certain without appropriate action.
Sure enough, while on her journey home for the holidays, her car’s engine seized and became a pile of non-running junk.

Dear Salvation Army, is there maintenance, real spiritual maintenance that we are ignoring? Are we placing post-it-notes over the real problems, all the while pretending they don’t exist? They won’t go away if we just ignore them. These warning lights are real. Will it cause us some discomfort by actually looking at the cold hard truth of the situation? Yes. But what will the result be if we simply place a post-it-note over that glowing warning light?

Whatever that glowing light may be, we have to peel off the post-it-note and face the problems at hand head on. We cannot hide from these warning lights. We cannot shirk these responsibilities as an Army.

Dear Soldier, what are the warning lights in your life right now? Have you placed a post-it-note over them? Personal holiness is not easy. Personal holiness requires us to peel back that which we cover the vulnerabilities of our lives, the personal sins we do not want to let anyone see let alone God…and so we cover them over and refuse to acknowledge that they exist. We talk a good talk about holiness, but when it comes to truly allowing full surrender to happen we hold back, we refuse to allow God access to the areas in our lives that need the most work. How can we grow if we don’t surrender all? How can we mature and become like Christ if we simply ignore the warning lights?

I am right here with you, dear soldier. I do not claim that I have it all worked out in my life either. I too have ignored these warning lights on this spiritual journey. I too have withheld this full surrender while blatantly ignoring the warning lights.

Dear Salvation Army,
I don’t know if these post-it-notes are covering up unacknowledged sins, leadership failures, financial loopholes, unethical behaviors, policy standards, etc… How can we peel these post-it-notes off? How can we finally look at the problems, acknowledge them and finally move forward? What will it take? Will we have to wait for Christ’s return? Will we still be here by then if we have to wait? Are we missing out by not addressing these warning lights?

Dear Soldier,
I don’t know what your post-it-notes are covering either. It’s an extremely personal thing, I know. We all must work out our own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12)…but we don’t do it alone. We have the help of the Holy Spirit to guide us and to lead us. He will help us to peel back these post-it-notes as we finally see the un-addressed issues for what they are – opportunities for God’s healing to cleanse us fully and for us to finally be healed completely.

Let’s peel back the post-it-notes together…let’s finally see the trouble, the sin, the issues for what they truly are. Let us be healed completely!

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

October 27, 2014 1

Dear Salvation Army: Why Quality Is Better Than Quantity

Jesus had more than 12 disciples…yet many left Him. (John 6:66)
Did Jesus call each one of these “AWOL” disciples? No.
Some joined the band later during the rise of Jesus’ popularity. But Jesus wasn’t looking for popularity. He hadn’t come to be lauded and complemented. He hadn’t come to start a Roman incursion. He came for so much more. He taught that purpose to His disciples, those with whom He confided in and hand-picked for such an important calling.

Dear Salvation Army, why is it that we feel it necessary at times to place quantity of soldiers and officers above quality? I don’t think anyone intentionally does this. I do not think we rush out and pick people off the street and throw uniforms on them just so we have “numbers” the next time the General or anyone else important in our Army comes to town. But we do see success within our Army as something of a quantitative thing don’t we?

Have we been going about this all wrong?
Could it be that instead of sheer numbers and all of these “Corps growth” initiatives we must first focus on the ones we already have in our pews who are undiscipled and unequipped for the battle? We serve many individuals who are marginalized and wounded by life. Some might be incapable of ever achieving the standards of “Christianity” that other churches expect of their parishioners. I have heard it said that the church is an emergency room for the sinner. It should be a place of triage and shelter for the broken and the imperfect. We serve many in our Army who not only need the spiritual emergency room but also long-term spiritual care! Some may never walk upright within the spiritual realms of leadership. Some may only crawl towards incremental spiritual achievements in their lives because they have been crippled by sin, shame and/or other spiritual, emotional and physical wounds in their lives. Can we accept them for who they are, where they are and mark these limited steps of growth? Are we patient enough to develop these wounded soldiers with grace, love and at times looooooooooooong-suffering? Or are we so focused on getting “others” more “capable”, desirable people into our corps buildings? We, unintentionally, stick up our noses at the uneducated, spiritually inept and broken cases already before us.

I don’t mean to make this an indictment because I too would wear a crown of guilt in this witch-hunt of pointing fingers. I too have walked the fine line of measurable growth and statistically accomplishments while unintentionally leaving the spiritually crippled of the corps in my dust. Shame on me. Forgive me.

What I’m Not Saying:
I’m not saying don’t seek out others to bring into your corps.
I am not saying don’t work to improve the spiritual conditions of your corps.
I am not saying don’t preach holiness and hold the standards high for all who come to the corps.

What I am Saying:
-Don’t forget those that God has already placed in your corps and on your ministry pathways.

-Don’t lose the emphasis on teaching and discipling your vital few who come week in and week out.

-Don’t lose heart when you look at statistical sheets and only see the same numbers associated with the same faces.

-Love your corps members even if they are incapable of loving you back (as hard as that may be).

-Be the very best representation of Christ to your corps, in your leadership and in your living examples.

-Don’t wait for more educated, better looking and polished people to come through your doors. Focus on the ones that God has placed within your ministry right now to love and to lead.

Why Quality is Better Than Quantity?
When we become satisfied and confident with loving and serving the few we take off the burden of false success driven ministry concepts. It’s not about packing your corps building to the brim every Sunday morning. It’s not about attempting another evangelistic ploy to rope the unchurched into your doors.

When we begin to love and to focus our attention upon those we already have within our corps (the “quality“, no matter how far from quality we may view our corps members) we will begin to truly love them, appreciate them, long to better disciple them, and serve them as Christ would the Church. When we focus our attention on the “few” and feed them spiritually, the love and “curb” appeal of our corps will become all the more evident in our communities.

We get it all wrong some times in our attempt to become like other churches. We look over the ministerial fences and long to be like “that” church that boasts 400 or more members on a Sunday. But the truth is we aren’t THAT church…we were never called to be THAT church. Our ministry and mission as the Army is very, very unique. Our mission will contain more elements of serving wounded soldiers day in and day out and maybe, just maybe we will see incremental or phenomenal life improvements both physically and spiritually. I am not discounting the work of the Holy Spirit here, He can and will perform miracles, and we must be diligent and faithful to His calling. Yet in other occasions we must also not give up on soldiers and corps members who never seem to move from their one position of initial conversion.

We know there is more to be had within the realms of spiritual growth and holiness for our corps members…but sometimes it may take a lifetime for that corps member to achieve this understanding as well. DON’T GIVE UP ON THEM! DON’T QUIT OR LOSE HOPE!

**Yes, fight for the weak, the hurting, the lost.
**Yes, keep up the evangelistic methods within your communities.
-But don’t forget to employ quality love, support and leadership to the few as well!

Just something more for our Army world to ponder today.
To God be the glory!

October 13, 2014 0

Dear Salvation Army – 3 Reasons to Rethink What “Church” is…

Yes, we’re a movement.
Yes, we are more than just a Church.
But what do we call what we do on Sunday’s?
Yes – Holiness Meetings and Salvation Meetings…but the elements of worship are involved aren’t they?

1. Statistics & Sundays…
I do no wish to argue terminologies today. I want to delve deeper into the heart of what we do within our active ministry roles.
We count statistics, of this we cannot deny or escape the reality of such documentation. Statistics can be an indicator of health or critical needs within our corps…BUT, what if we are too dependent upon who comes on Sunday? Is this the “make or break” issue for our ministries? Are there not other days in the week that we provide worship opportunities? Sometimes, I must confess, I have gotten caught up in the numbers game on Sunday and completely overlooked the vital importance of midweek worship opportunities.

2. Home Fellowship…
Where did the early church gather to worship with one another? In their homes. They shared what they had. They broke bread together. They grew because of this close knit “family”.

Another component that might help us to rethink what “Church” is could be one of the most pivotal fellowship tools we possess – our homes. The places we reside. Do we take the initiative to not only visit our corps members but to host frequent, yet intentional, worship times within the home, whether it be your home or someone else’? When we are away from the corps halls and we allow our “hair down” and our shoes off, we are more comfortable. We are on level ground with others gathered in our home. These are moments not to miss. These can become crucial times to personalize the gospel and our Christian relationships with each other.

These home fellowships shouldn’t be forced upon anyone, but allowed to happen naturally. Take chances. Take risks. Get to know your corps members and let the corps members know you. When we can relax within each other’s fellowship we are more inclined to talk one on one and peer to peer. This can be where true growth and decisions takes place.

3. Biblical Studies, Prayer & Holiness...
The concept of “Church” is so much more than what we do on Sunday mornings and the elements involved in our worship times. Do we collectively devote ourselves to times of biblical studies? Is there adequate times devoted to understand what we study? Is there homework and life application involved? Coupled with the need to know the Word of God better is the need for collective times of prayer. I am firmly convinced that some of our losses today within our Army has to do with the elimination of prayer meetings within our weekly schedules. Prayer is THAT important! If your corps doesn’t have a prayer meeting anymore and you are seeing a decline in your soldiery/attendance then perhaps it’s time to re-employ this powerful spiritual tool. It not only allows us to talk to our Lord in prayer but it also unifies us under one specific cause – prayer for each other. This is vital.

Coupled with biblical studies and prayer meetings should be the teachings of holiness within our corps body. I firmly believe we have lost this intentional emphasis in a large portion of our army. The need for spiritual disciplines and growth is another vital element to our army. When re-thinking “Church” does the need for holiness come to mind? Is there more to our Army than just the statistic of those who have recently made a decision for Christ? What do you do with those who have recently become saved? Is spiritual growth and holiness (sometimes synonymous) emphasized?

Wrapping this pondering up:
“Church” is more than Sunday worship.
“Church” is more than how many people come to our services.
“Church” is more than the corps building…hence the movement…
Our places of residence can be “Church”…
Our emphasis of holiness is “Church”…
Our love for everyone we can reach beyond our soldiers in uniform is “Church”.
So get on with it!

Questions:
Are there areas of your ministry that you’ve overlooked?
Have you misplaced some of the emphasis on other programs and other relationships?
Can we rethink what “Church”, or if you’re uncomfortable with that word, what “ministry” is?

Just a bit more for our Army world to ponder today.
To God be the glory!

October 9, 2014 0

Tag: church