General Cox: A call to a deeper spiritual life!

Yesterday at the New Zealand Congress, Salvation Army General Andre’ Cox said “He dreams of a Salvation Army that is ‘vibrant, committed and on its knees before God” He went on to say that “Deepening the spiritual life of Salvationists is essential to moving forward as an Army, he said. “If we want to see our world change, we ourselves must be changed by God.”

Let me first just say “Amen!” General Cox is spot on in regards to this continued need for personal and corporate holiness in our Army! We cannot expect to grow or change the world without first deepening these spiritual waters in our lives. Without the Holy Spirit’s guidance and direction for His people and His Army, we can find ourselves scattered by the winds of discouragement and discord.

It is encouraging to me that General Cox is picking up where General Bond left off. We are, as an International Salvation Army, One Army and to build on this One Army we first must make sure our walk with the Lord and our maturation of faith continues. Without it we cannot and will not remain united.

As reported by IHQ’s web page, the New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga Territory celebrated some fantastic growth of Soldiery and expansion in Corps. Isn’t that awesome? It really doesn’t matter which territory you belong you, as an Army we too can celebrate their growth within this Army! Congratulations!

I believe our Army has much to accomplish in the years to come, but without first checking our hearts, motives and righteous intentions these accomplishments could be for naught…yet I too whole heartedly agree with his call for all Soldiers to deeper their faith.

How is your heart? How is your walk with the Lord today? May you continue in your walk with Him! May you also continue to be a light to all who encounter your love and passion for them through Jesus Christ our Lord!

News Source: http://www.salvationarmy.org/ihq/news/inr260913

September 27, 2013 0

An Army of the walking dead? Mentoring…How do we get out of the ‘Dry Bones’ valley?

I admit it, the photo is for shock value only…but I want to convey a point with it, so bare with me and please don’t be offended.

Have you ever been burned out, running low, on empty fumes and feel all support has ebbed away from you? If you haven’t yet experienced that in ministry then perhaps you’re a better person than I or you haven’t truly been in ministry yet.

Let me pick a scab for a moment when I say this: what is the Army doing for mentoring and encouraging its Officers? All too often I feel (perhaps it’s my fault, but perhaps not) as if I’m crawling to Officers’ Councils on an empty tank. This is most certainly not an accusation by any means on my divisional leaders, truth be told I love my divisional leaders…but I’m not a hybrid car that can run for hundreds of miles without a refuel…and going to officer’s councils to recharge just doesn’t cut it for me. One of the biggest problems I see is that as a top down organization we simply do not take the time to encourage our officers on the field as we should. It goes beyond a card, phone call, or e-mail…it’s personal contact we want. It’s trust we want, it’s knowing that what we’re doing makes a difference, that we aren’t just another statistical number on the field of officers. My biggest issue is that we are devoid of mentors, challengers, encouragers and supporters in the Army. It’s not that people aren’t trying to do this but we’ve become so busy with stuff, so busy with deadlines, so busy with meetings that we forget to find the time for our Officers.

I know I’m not the only one who feels this way…I’m just probably stupid enough to voice this concern. I don’t mean to pick scabs but we can’t just salute and go when where we’re going we find we don’t have divisional or territorial support or encouragement. Not to say that it isn’t unspoken, and I don’t want some sort of pat on the back accompanied by a handshake and an ‘atta boy’. We have lost the discipleship component in our Army…this isn’t divisionally this is nationally from what I see. I understand there’s a pastoral care department at territorial headquarters but it’s insufficient for the total forces we have on the field.

I was told a long time ago, if you have any kind of criticism you better have some sort of solution or suggestions don’t just be a negative but reinforce the positive.

Here’s a list of the positives:

1) We care about people

2) We love God and wish to serve and save those people

3) We are nationally and internationally recognized as one of the most trusted organizations.

4) We have sound doctrine and sound ministries

5) We provide and care for financially for our officers and families

These are vital to our ministries and to our families and I will never begrudge the good we do in Jesus’ name.

My desire for the Army is this:

That we stop being an Army of the living dead. By that I mean we have expectations, regulations, procedures in place for everything under the Sun which is a great thing! But what we don’t have in place is Leader to Officer mentoring/discipleship in place. We have phone numbers to call when we’re discouraged, we have a team of “outside” counselors we can talk to but unlike other churches or denominations we do not have a spiritual support system in place by which we can be challenged, encouraged and mentored on a weekly even daily basis.

Some might argue that one needs to find outside mentors to talk with and outside disciplers to challenge us…but who on the outside knows the life of an Officer on the field? Who knows the challenges we face daily and the criticisms we face from corps members or from the public? Sometimes, if we’re honest with ourselves, we feel more like the dry bones in the valley with Ezekiel than we’d care to admit. There has to be something that can be done when we get to this point. Some of us have privately mentioned feelings of unfulfillment or lack of challenge. Some would never say this on the record but some don’t feel connected to leadership because we aren’t challenged positively by them.

A wise officer once suggested a type of supporting ministry idea in which Officers were assigned/appointed together for accountability and for growth of each other. Why not?

Another suggestion was to work within the system to create mentor groups that actually would meet, pray together, share with one another and challenge each other. But the danger at times can be that it would be viewed as just another program or mundane task that is “assigned” to certain Officers.

So what is the solution to this ‘walking dead’ syndrome? I know that I am not the only one who has felt this way…there are many who do. And solutions have to go beyond just assigning prayer groups at Officer’s Councils…these are wonderful but we’re all so busy to keep it up. Solutions also have to go beyond the minimalist’s suggestions of “just pray about it” or “maybe you need to read/study more of God’s word”. Let me just say that this last answer is an insult to all who serve as Officers. Because honestly even the Apostle Paul had supporters and encouragers who remained faithful to him in his ministry.

I don’t believe this is something that we have to ‘grin and bare’. This isn’t certainly isolated nor is it healthy. But I do believe there to be worthy solutions out there that the Army could implement in order to “water the bones” so to speak. As I mentioned before we need too, as individuals must be committed to sharing and being challenged as Officers as well. None of us, hopefully, signed our Officer’s Covenant form wishing for a mundane “cushy” lifestyle without challenge both physically/Mentally and Spiritually. If we are to grow as an army and to water the ‘dry bones’ then we have to make our Officers a priority and not assume that they learned it all at training college and they don’t need help, encouragement and support.

Again there has to be more than just ‘yearly reviews’ and other such program offers. I know our leadership cares for us, but we as Officers need mentors, disciplers and those who will challenge us to continue to grow instead of drying out and become an ‘army of the walking dead’. If feel that if we were to explore some of the reasons for attrition in the Army, we would find this concern to be rather high on the list.

-Just a thought…but let’s keep this conversation going.

Some mentoring sources:

http://www.mennoniteusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/MentoringProgramForBeginningPastors.pdf

http://www.ctsfw.edu/document.doc?id=62

http://dunamisinstitute.org/academics/faculty/detail/5-ec4-advanced-and-specialized-ministry/13-mentoring-program-for-pastors-

September 18, 2013 1

Salvation Army Identity Crisis?

I’ve heard it from both sides of the argument. The Salvation Army is a movement not an organization…wait what? Is it an unorganized movement then? Certainly what began as a movement as grown, hasn’t it? We are an entity within the universal Christian church. We, in every aspect of the theological argument have become another denomination, though some within our ranks might spurn that notion. Don’t believe me? Look it up on wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Christian_denominations scroll down towards the middle of the list of denominations and you will find The Salvation Army listed under ‘Pietists and Holiness Churches’.

So let’s move on from that identity issue to the two main pivotal perspectives that I would like to look at rather closely.

Argument #1: The Salvation Army has become just another social service institution.

I can certainly see why some within our ranks would argue this point. Within the US, specifically, many programs to those in need are either completely or marginally dependent upon government funding sources. Much of our professional staffing can also be used to lend support of this argument. Also another source that might lend credence to this assumption stems from the adoption of its newest brand in 2005 of ‘Doing the most good‘. If you merely look at the wording, one could make the leap that the identity of the Army is shifting in the face of public perceptions and opinions. Put a new branding on the Army such as ‘Doing the most Good’ and now you can compete with other social service agencies which are in turn competing for the same public/government funding sources. And as we compete, we now how place our services ahead of other agencies because, after all, we do the most good…better than the rest.

Now before you write me some hate mail, let me just clarify; I am merely presenting one of the arguments within this identity crisis. This is not specifically my opinion but it is an opinion or as our Army likes to say, it is a perception. Right or wrong when a brand, even taken out of context, is utilized within a media savvy culture this common perception may or may not prevail. To say that we do not care what the public thinks would certainly be erroneous and untrue. Public support, both financially and physically, are necessary to our success as a ministry to those in need. We need reinforcements as well as the means to make things happen.

This specific argument that we are shifting our identity to become more of a social service agency and are too dependent on governmental funds does have some merit and weight behind it. There is certainly a danger that we may lose our identity of origin if we are not mindful of mission that is…which brings me to the other side of the argument…

Argument #2: The Salvation Army is a Church.

This argument prevails within our corps’ mission at times. Corps Councils at times get together and bemoan the fact that there is little to no ‘bridging’ going on between corps ministry and the weekly social service office which is always packed with people in need. At the extreme end of this argument are those who are so pious and holy in appearance yet they do little besides complain about the state of things instead of actually doing something about it. Not only is it the job of the corps officer to find and enact engaging and relevant ministry, but it is the primary job of the soldiery of that corps to suggest, lead, engage and do this important work as well! All too often this identity argument that The Salvation Army is first a church is water thin because many corps are seeing a decrease in Sunday attendance. It is not that Officers are not trying, however could it be that some of the programs that we offer need to be revamped or even given the boot? If this identity of Church truly ‘sticks’ then why aren’t we seeing consistent substantial growth in our corps…and I’m not just talking about the bigger corps in large metropolitan areas either, every corps in every city. In my opinion (here’s my take), one of the reasons we are seeing this identity of ‘church’ diminish in the pews is because of our history. By that I mean, if we explore the reasons for our initial explosion as a ‘Movement’ we will find that our founders were willing to try and risk anything to get people saved. Slogans like ‘Go for the worst‘ didn’t come because the early Army was playing it safe. They tried anything and sought to connect with the culture in which they ministered to. Today, we have much to lose if we risk as they once did. Programs are great but I believe sometimes our programs become a crutch and limit what we actually do or risk. Booth would close corps in a heartbeat if they were not growing, today we have too much invested in them to watch them fail or close their doors. In essence we are protecting our investments and often times we are more willing to play it safe and rest on our laurels than do something different.

This identity of ‘The Salvation Army is a church’ insulates us. It protects our accomplishments and we pull back in the risk department.

SO WHAT ARE YOU THEN?

Are we a social service agency or are we a church? The answer is….YES. 😉

What do I mean? If we lose either of these important aspects of our movement as an Army for Christ then we are finished. We might as well pack up and find another mission or ministry to serve under. There is a fine line here. It is a cautionary hazard reminding us not to veer too far in either direction. Church, get out of the slow, protective lane of tradition and heritage. Social Service, pull your hands back from the governmental piggy bank that places severe limits on what you can do in the name of Christ. Don’t become so dependent on money and thereby replace Christ with the worship of funds. We are a mission, an adaptive moving fluid mission for Christ. This is what we ought to be. We must not lose sight of why we are here in the first place. We must not forget that souls need to be both clothed, fed and with the physical and the spiritual. We cannot allow this notion that we are one or the other to divide us. We are One army, to quote our recent international theme. We must continue to serve Christ in such a way that He provides and He blesses instead of seeking for the approval man. Instead of playing it safe and insulating yet another army rich tradition behind polyester uniforms and archaic irrelevant programs, We need to keep moving forward not backward. The danger is when we shift from an organized movement to just an organization we stop moving…we stop striving forward in our relevancy in ministry.

We cannot afford to separate this identity as an Army. To do so, we face a slow, polarizing organizational death. I pray for more risk takers to be added to our ranks. I pray for more missionally minded Officers and Soldiers alike. I pray that we get up out of our pews and start doing something that reach a poor soul and touches the lost for Christ in the process. If we keep Christ as the face of our Army, we will not lose strength, we will ever be in tuned to His Holy Spirit’s prompting and moving for Him. If we ever get to the point that we care more about our Army than we do about Christ and His mission for us then we will have lost this vital and most pivotal identity and risk losing so much more than just our uniform.

September 10, 2013 0

Sermon Podcast: “The Benefits of God”

Sermon Podcast Weblink: Sermon “The Benefits of God”

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

God’s Benefits

Benefits of membership:

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

Benefits of being a member of God’s family:

1. He forgives (v3)

* What does his forgiveness cover? Everything!

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

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

2. He heals all our diseases. (v3)

* Psalm 23 says “He restores my soul”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

August 11, 2013 0

General Cox Appoints his Chief of Staff:

General André Cox writes:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

God bless you.

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

August 9, 2013 4

1st Official Interview of General Andre’ Cox:

A DISCIPLE OF JESUS

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

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

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

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

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

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

What will be the main challenges you face as General?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What role does your family play in your life?

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

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

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

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

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

What about the International Vision?

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

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

Additional photographs by Major Nigel Bovey

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

August 6, 2013 1

High Council Day 5 Official Update

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)

August 2, 2013 0

Update: High Council Communications…

It has been reported that anyone who is interested and can access a computer can now receive updates as soon as they are released by subscribing to a link I will include at the bottom of this post. As mentioned in a prior update it is unprecedented the access we and the public are not able to receive within the ongoing proceedings of the up and coming High Council.

Here is the official memo:

With the 2013 High Council almost ready to begin, Salvationists and friends from all over the world are understandably anxious to learn of any developments as soon as they happen.

Bearing this in mind, the IHQ Communications Section has set up an email subscription service specifically for High Council news. It is planned that daily bulletins will be published, and a link to the live-streaming video site will be sent out when the announcement of the new General is imminent.

Thank you for sharing this information with your command and encouraging anyone with access to a computer or Internet-linked mobile device to sign up for the latest news by completing a simple form at http://www.salvationarmy.org/highcouncil2013

-Will continue to post updates as soon as I hear anything.

July 26, 2013 0

transMission: New Offerings ‘We Believe’ (Music Review)

I wasn’t asked to give a review of this new offering of the band transMission by anyone, but I’ll give a review anyway. transMission is a Praise/Christian band from Atlanta GA, through The Salvation Army’s Southern Territory’s Music Department, and its band members are also Salvation Army members. transMission is inexplicably linked to The Salvation Army both in word and deed and their latest offering ‘We Believe’ truly strives to link music with doctrinal belief. This may sound boring to some or too lofty of a project but taking one listen at their latest album one will hear the depth and breadth of what ‘we believe’ is all about.

It is a unique and very ambitious venture yet is consistent with the band’s ministry and mission. Never have I before heard a group put together an entire album based solely on doctrinal principles…and it works! Their sound is unique to each song, and unlike some bands, transMission takes some musical/lyrical risk to present both gospel and personal conviction while maintaining the quality of praise/rock standards.

If you haven’t yet heard transMission, check out their website: http://transmission.virb.com/ and sample their latest offering on your web player or mobile device! Here is the link for the ‘We Believe’ web player and list of songs too: http://transmission.virb.com/webelieve

Check them out, then support their ministry!

July 23, 2013 0

Introducing the New General of The Salvation Army…

I don’t mean to set you up for disappointment here. I am just as curious as you in this process. In just 10 days now those called to the High Council will officially gather. Some have already made the journey are awaiting the start of the High Council. Delegates will consist of our leaders, that much we already know.

Who will be our next General? Will it be a European? Will it be an American, Canadian or South American? Will the next General be from Africa or Asia? Male or Female?

I have been praying for this new leader…have you?

I have been praying for each leader who will be in attendance at the High Council…have you?

It will be a tough office to fill…that much is most definitely true. The international pressures from both position statements and mission within an ever changing culture is certainly mounting.

Here are some truths that I pray our next General will uphold:

1.The inerrancy of scripture.

2. Continuation of the Great Commission in God’s name.

3. Continue to meet human need, not because we’re a social service, but because we serve the Lord and we serve others in His name.

4. Brokering and working with nations to continue to the fight for social justice throughout the world.

5. Growing Saints and Soldiers in our Army…we need more forces for the war ahead.

So who will it be?

Who will our Next General Be?

Here’s my selection…the next General will be…________________________.

Who do you think it will be and why?

http://www.salvationarmy.org/ihq/highcouncil2013

https://s3.amazonaws.com/cache.salvationarmy.org/9e1b9751-2baf-49b4-8d42-a0daf465454b_High+Council+Members.pdf

July 19, 2013 2

Tag: Salvation Army