Tag: Corps Officers

3 Resources to help you become a better Salvation Army Officer…

Let’s face it, the role of a Salvation Army Officer is difficult.  I know…understatement of the century!

There are certainly joys…along with heartache and sorrows – it’s a mixed bag sometimes.  We all wish that things would go according to plan, but most of the time we look like this:
spinningAnd, we hope nothing gets dropped along the way…

The question doesn’t become what can we do less of, but rather how can we do the good things better?  How can we begin to focus on the strengths of our corps and our corps people?

If I have learned anything from Officership it is that we are very, very good at doing many things, but we do not do many things well.  Perhaps it is time to stop meeting the average expectations, stop doing mediocre work because we’re spread far too thin to do anything well; and instead, focus on the things that make our corps or ministry unique and successful!  To do this, sacrifices might have to be made, we might have to eliminate or reduce the amount of ‘spinning plates’, but we do no one any good if we implode from over-extending ourselves.

It would be so easy to simply offer you some amazing new Apps that will help you in your ministry.  It would be simple to offer this new thing I found of the internet that other pastors are using…instead let me offer you 3 Resources that you already have and will not cost you a dime (except for your time and effort).

  1.  Pastoral Partnerships: 
    pastorsThe unfortunate side of ministry, it would seem, is that many churches and pastors are in competition for parishioners.  It isn’t always intentional, but many churches have created their own silos, including The Salvation Army.  Sometimes it’s pride, and self-reliance, but these silos prevent us from truly experiencing the fellowship of other ministries and resources because we cannot work with others.  Visit other pastors in your community.  Go to their churches (but not on Mondays = Universal Pastoral day off) and meet fellow workers in the fields of souls.I recently visited the pastor of our local Wesleyan Church.  He called me up to donate some food to our soup kitchen, and I had not had the chance to meet him yet…so I personally went to see him.  What I experienced in talking to him for only 45 minutes was not only refreshing to my soul, but it encouraged me greatly.  We also struck up some commonalities, and resources were exchanged for the development of future partnerships together.

    Fellow Officers, we are so much stronger together than we are by remaining in our individual denominational silos.

    2.   Community Connections  Puzzle
    This resource is closely related to #1 as well as the continued need to get out of the silo…(perhaps you are picking up on the theme of this particular article).  There are many people in your community right now that love The Salvation Army and they just need an invitation to help out.  Be mindful that business professionals are very busy, so make sure the buy-in request is tangible, well thought out, and clear.  You are looking for pieces to the puzzle to help with the over all mission, that Bank president can help in great ways provided that you put that ‘piece’ into the right place.

    3.  Leadership Development, Empowerment & Delegation!
    The last resource (at least on this list, because there is SO much more that we could cover) is, in my opinion, the most important resource that your corps or ministry has – people who are already invested in the mission!!  We are only as strong as the team around us.  We as Officers are good at trying to do everything on our own, so much so that we often face burnout.  In Exodus 18, we find a workaholic named Moses who is wisely counseled by his father-in-law Jethro.  Jethro tells Moses; “what you are doing is not good.  You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out.  The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone.” (Exodus 18:17-18)

    This is extremely wise advise to Moses and to us.  We cannot do it all ourselves, so why do we try to be SuperOfficer?  Why do we think it all has to get completed by us?  This is where leadership development, empowerment and delegation comes into play.  We owe it to ourselves and the future development and growth of our corps to raise up leaders who can help us.  Perhaps those leaders are already there, they just don’t know it yet.  This type of development and action will take time and patience, but your ministry will be stronger because of it.

    Just think, every time we ‘go it alone’ we are potentially robbing someone of the opportunity to learn, lead and grow!  Do you need help developing your team?  Having struggles figuring out how this ought to be done?  Consult your divisional staff, ask for help from other pastors, and perhaps do some research on how other corps are appointing leaders and developing them.  MinistryHere is one resource that the Central Territory is using, and I know that there are other resources just like this in other territories.

    Do not leave your corps members behind while planning for the future!  Raise up others to help you accomplish the mission of the Army!  It might be easier to do everything yourself, but entrust, empower and lead others to become better invested in the mission of this Salvation Army!

    These are just three resources to help you become a better Officer, naturally, never discount or take for granted the power of the Holy Spirit in all of these ventures!  He will empower you to do what must be done, so above all else, humble submit yourself to Him daily!

    Something more for the Army world to ponder today!
    God bless you!
    officer.jpg

3

Dear Salvation Army, 3 Things Corps Officers Should Know About Their Soldiers!

Last week I wrote part 1 of this “two sided coin” so to speak – 3 Things Soldiers Should Know About Their Corps Officer(s)

Today I would like to conclude the second side of the coin on the topic of “things the Corps Officer should know about their Soldiers!”  Understandably without Soldiers in our corps doing the amazing work that they do, we are hopelessly lost!  We need strong soldiers to lead.  We need strong leaders to help the Corps Officers.  I understand that sometimes these two dynamics in the corps does not “gel” the way it should.  Both sides of this coin ought to recognize that we are all on the same team…but sometimes, unfortunately, it doesn’t feel that way.  I believe Satan thrives upon our disunity and polarizing leadership directions.  He wants us to fail.  We, often times, will fail in our corps, not because we lack the appropriate resources to complete the mission, but because we can’t see eye to eye, or we all think that we know what is best for the corps and we take opposing directions.

The Corps is the forefront of The Salvation Army mission – make no mistake about that!
Yes, vital lifesaving missions are also located in the Harbor Light, and ARC’s and Schools and Shelters, and in a way they are a corps unto themselves.  At the Corps level we engage the enemy and we see the hopelessness of those who come to us for help!  This fight isn’t just about who the Corps Officer is (it was never about that in the first place) but about who will lead and who will serve Christ in every aspect of this mission to the lost.
blood
3 Things Corps Officers Should Know About Their Soldiers:

1.  They Are The Long-term Investors
Local Officers and Soldiers have been there long before you came to that appointment, and they will be there a long time after you are gone.  They have invested in that the local Corps’ mission.  They understand that community probably much better than you ever will, no matter what education you might have and what your grade point average was at Training College.  I do not mean to sound snarky here by any means, I simply wish to convey how invested most soldiers are to that current Corps.  They are the backbone of the corps…or at least they should be.  Sometimes (and I know this is true) Corps Officers have run over Soldiers and Local Officers to accomplish what they believe the direction of the corps should be.  Sometimes this has happened the other way around as well.  Every Corps is different, this much is true, but when Corps Officers and Soldiers work together side-by-side, we work for the same purpose, the same cause.  Understand, Corps Officers, that your Soldiers and Local Officers are the Long-term investors of your corps!

2.  They Want To Be Led By Godly, Consistent Officers! uniform
Corps Officers, it is imperative that we lead our corps and its constituents in a godly manner.
“Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.” 1 Peter 5:2-4
Yes, hold your local officers and soldiers accountable, but be accountable to these same standards as well!
Don’t ask something of others that you yourself aren’t willing to do either.  Be the kind of leader that leads by example and does the hard work right along with your soldiers!  God honors holy leaders who are consistent in word and deed!  Be consistent leaders!  Lead by humility and love, not by power and might!  Don’t lord over others with your authority, after all, you can and will be replaced one day.  Invest in your soldiers, but also give fully of yourself where possible.

flags3.  Delegate, Lean And Learn!
There is a HUGE difference between a seasoned Officer and a salty one.  Don’t be a salty one!  There will be difficult days as officers in this Army.  There will be times when you will want to take out your frustrations upon soldiers.  Choose your battles wisely.  Confront when you need to confront, but do so in love and by first praying about every situation that you face!
If you think of yourself as Super-Officer that wears a navy blue and red cape and one who doesn’t need any help from soldiers and local officers, then you need to kill Super-Officer.  There, I’ve said it for all soldiers everywhere.  YOU. CAN’T. DO. EVERYTHING. YOURSELF.  So stop trying to be Super-Officer, because Super-Officer will ultimately burn out, fade away and become discontent.

Corps Officers, you need to understand the vital usage of delegation.  Moses couldn’t do everything and so, thankfully he began to delegate responsibilities.  Don’t hold the reins of everything so tightly that you begin to slowly strangle your corps to death.  Let others lead when you have individuals willing and able to lead.  It may not meet your standards at first, but trust them, teach them…don’t enable your soldiers to always rely on the Officer to do everything!  You shortchange and stunt the growth of your soldiers and leaders when you become Super-Officer who leads and does everything!  So get rid of Super Officer, and delegate, teach and lean on your Soldiers!

Lastly, do not think for a minute that you have learned all there is to know about leadership, and that your soldiers and local officers can’t teach you something new!  Always be pliable and teachable yourself!  Recognize that book-learning sometimes isn’t enough and that life-learning can aid you to become a better, more godly Officer.   Your Corps, your present appointment can and will teach you something wonderful if you are available to be taught.  Do not become so prideful in your abilities that you become arrogant and incapable of the kind of change that you yourself preach about from the pulpit to others.

These are just three things Corps Officers should know about their Soldiers.
There are many more…but it begins by listening.
It begins by listening to the Holy Spirit, to your Soldiers and to the community that you serve!
So listen, lead your flock that are long-term investors, and lead them well!  Allow them to teach you something.  Allow them to learn with you.  Help them develop into the best leaders that they can be as well!  Together we can accomplish this great mission.  Together we are a stronger army!  What say you?

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

3

Dear Salvation Army, 3 Things Soldiers Should Know About Their Corps Officer

The Salvation Army is an unique body of Christ is it not?
With that being said, each corps is unique.  Each corps has its own specific strength(s) and its own specific weakness(es).  We can all recognize that challenges do come to our corps structure & ministry.  Sometimes soldiers can look at the present issues happening in the corps and cast a blanket of blame all upon the corps officers.  Sometimes the corps officer can look at the present issues happening in the corps and cast a blanket of blame all upon the soldiers.  Sometimes the blame is shared…sometimes it is not.

I do not wish to imply that all our corps are going through problems and concerns ALL THE TIME.  This is certainly not the case.  There have been some wonderful mountaintop experiences.  There have also been wonderful moments of fellowship, where we share with each other what is on our hearts.

Today I would like to provide some information to every soldier out there about your corps officer.
It is my hope that the next installment will include “3 things Corps Officers should know about their soldiers”, but today here are three things every soldiers should know about their corps officer.  Some of this might be obvious to some of you, but I will highlight these anyway.

1.  Corps Officers are people too!
I hate to burst your bubble here, but (shocking statement ahead) your corps officer is NOT perfect!  They are just people too!  They do make mistakes sometimes.  This shouldn’t be taken to mean that soldiers should be looking for those imperfections in their corps officers, but it does mean that we should all exercise a good measure of grace!   Some of the corps officers have families, and family events will take priority over other events.  This won’t always happen but recognize that just as you have a life apart from the Corps building your corps officer also has a life apart from the corps building.

Be mindful of how your criticize your corps officer.  It will be very easy to take your complaint to other soldiers in the form of gossip and slander.  Please watch what you say.  Your corps officer(s) have feelings as well.  I am not saying don’t criticize if criticism is necessary, but do it in a way that is God honoring…go to that corps officer.  Provide solutions in constructive criticism, don’t just be a grouchy corps member that offers only complaints but never offers any way to solve your concerns.
Your corps officer is a person too…so please be kind!

flag2.  They need encouragement too!
This leads to this next thing you should know about your corps officer.  They need encouragement from time to time.  The Army serves some of the hardest living people in your community.  There are things that your corps officer is doing for the corps behind the scenes that you may have no idea they are doing.   There are days of great discouragement that your corps officer goes through.  There will be times when your corps officer feels defeated and just wants to throw in the towel and quit.  You can become an awesome source of encouragement to them.  It doesn’t take much.  Perhaps a kind word from time to time.  Perhaps take them out for coffee or dinner.  Invite them over.  Show them love and that you appreciate them.  Perhaps you feel as if you “don’t like them” or you are looking forward to the next “move cycle” in hopes that they are moved.  BUT… let me ask you, have you taken the time to really get to know them?  Have you gone out of your way to encourage them?  Don’t give up on your corps officer, it could be that they are extremely discouraged and they just need to feel that they are loved and that they belong in your fellowship.  You may never see eye to eye, but you can be the reflection of Christ and encouragement to them!  Give it a try!

3.  They need leadership too!leadership
Your corps officer will most likely kiss and hug you if you become proactive in your corps and take the initiative to step up and lead in your corps!  Don’t just suggest things to do and programs to lead but expect the corps officer to do it all…they can’t, and more importantly you might be missing out on the blessing and challenge of leading something new and vital for your corps!  You take the lead.  You offer yourself up to serve.   You be that encouraging leader for your corps!  God has called you to step up and help!  We are an army of soldiers not just unthinking zombie-like followers.  I don’t mean any disrespect in that comment, but the army needs more strong godly leaders to take the initiative in their corps.  Will you be that leader to come along side your corps officer?

These are just three things every soldier should know about their corps officer!  This isn’t the end all and be all kind of list, it is only a primer to a much deeper conversation.

Uni1NEXT TIME: 3 Things Corps Officers Should Know About Their Soldiers!  
Something more for our army to ponder today!
To God be the glory!

20

Blog at WordPress.com.

Up ↑