We have an incredible responsibility to champion social justice in the name of Christ. This is not a new concept in the church or in the Army. We celebrate the efforts of early day Salvationists who gave themselves out of their love for Christ in this way.
Internationally, the General has thought the subject to be so important that he has established a social justice office connected to the United Nations, led by Commissioner Christine MacMillan.
Here in the Australia Southern Territory, we have Captain Danielle Strickland who is giving creative and capable leadership in this same area. Every day we are seeing increasing evidence of our own people seriously considering social justice issues and their part to play. Lord, help us each in our responsibilities to act justly and to love mercy whilst walking humbly with You.
Hebrews 11:33 (MSG)
33 Through acts of faith, they toppled kingdoms, made justice work, took the promises for themselves. They were protected from lions,
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
28 comments:
Jim,
I just want to praise God for your leadership and direction here in the Australia Southern Territory.
Both my wife and I have been longing to be trained as officers in the Salvation Army. However we have been waiting and waiting for the right time to apply and also choosing which college to attend.
As you know I have a passion to be a modern day warrior for Christ and this is reflected in the Cause to Die For DVD series I produced while in the Australia Eastern Territory. I have a passion to be like an early days Army officer who was a passionate risk taker for God, Prophetic, radical and most importantly genuine leader for God. Much like Booth, Cadman and Railton.
I have always said I hope that my session name at college reflects my personality.. so I was so pleased to learn that as accepted candidates for college next year in Melbourne, our session name is Prayer Warriors...
But what also has excited me about going to college is the fact you have appointed Steve Court as the training principal.
God has answered all my prayers... given us a perfect session name that reflects our nature, and also blessed us with a Prophetic prayer specialist.. I have had some dealings with Steve, in act a lot of his material was part of he Cause to Die for DVD series.
I just wanted to say thankyou for reviving the image and training faculty of the Training college and hopefully other colleges around the army world will follow your lead.
People don't want to be officers because the role is viewed upon as a joke, a role of self indulgence in some respects.. an alternative lifestyle for those who drop out of society.. I know that's harsh but it's the reality. It's one reason why Di and I have prolonged coming to college as we have had to wrestle with that fact.. we are going to join this group which is viewed upon with such disdain.
However I am so pleased you have realised there is a problem and done something about it... even being strict and kicking out those cadets who are not suitable to be officers.. This type of leadership is what the Army needs... strong... courageous and extremely wise.
Both Di and myself can't wait to be cadets next year and that's an act of grace... I can't believe I am actually saying I want to go to college.. But God knows my needs and I just want to praise him today that he is making my path straight and these changes are confirmation that Di and I and baby Ella are meant to go to college...
Praise God...
Thanks for being obediant.
Peter and Diane Hobbs
Your comments make my heart sad and I hope that God does a big work in your heart before you get to the Training College.
Peter
As an officer I find your comments extremely distressing and indeed offensive.
I must agree I too find this a very offensive comment. Let this not be the tone that is being set for our Territory.....
My exprience tells me that a very humbling experience is going to be set before you it is very easy being an expert from the outside -
It's my hope that more people would say what they believed...
and be brave enough to put their name to it (whether that wins favour or not).
I know that some people 'out there' have this view of officers and I hope that you can recognise that whether it applies personally or not, we all have a responsibility (in response) to take the role of officership to greater depths (whether that be in officership or by supporting your officer leaders). Lets re-kindle the Blood and Fire spirit as God's Army of Salvation!
Bless you guys in your preparation and see you next year! I can see some robust and healthy debate will follow ;o)
i have been weeping since i read this, this morning.....we are not all self indulgent / drop outs.
The TC's post was about the importance of social justice, and the increasing evidence of our people seriously considering social justice issues and our part to play. I expect he meant all of us, not just officers, however the comments seem to have taken a different turn.
Social justice is close to the heart of true Christians. We must be careful to pray and think things through ourselves with the help of the Holy Spirit, and not just rely on someone claiming to be a Christian to steer our thinking. The social justice areas of many churches are often more about politics than anything else - see how they promote a particular brand of politics, a political party or leader over another. I often feel that the god of politics is trying to manipulate Christians. For an example, the Environment which is so important to us all, has become Gaia worship. Another example is welfare payments, which are vital to those in need, but have consumed the spiritual food we once served.
Issues like family breakdown, drug and alcohol, abortion, prostitution, pornography, underparented children, preacher teachers, unhappy youths rarely get a mention. I know Danielle Strickland is concerned about these and other issues, and that is fantastic, I hope she can bring some balance to this area. After all, we need to start where we can actually make a difference, and follow the Holy Spirit's lead, not our own agendas.
I thank you TC for all you are doing, this is all positive and part of the healing.
The Commissioners site was about justice but in reading the leading comment I find it difficult to find much justice referred to. I find it rather offensive to those who are out there doing their task as officers in our beloved movement. I also find it to be a little on the side of self indulgence. Now is the time for you to go into training because this is the climate YOU have been looking for. When God calls us to officership He doesn't place any "if it is the situation that I want" clauses to it. He calls us because He needs us to follow Him whether the person who is the Training Principal is the person you would like it to be or whether the name of the Session is what we would like it to be. I know there are officers out there who are working there fingers to the bone to try and win people to Christ and I don't feel that it is our role to make sweeping judgmental statements about officers. There will always be those who are better CO's than others from our point of view but let us not lose sight of the fact that these people have been called by God and they are trying to fulfil that calling. What I see from our leaders now is that they are trying to use people in their gifted areas as much as possible and surely this has been God directed, so rather than being so critical of officers let us give some encouragement to them (maybe this would go a long way to helping them to be better officers). Many struggle over the call to officership, but not because of their own wants but because they feel inadequate for the task. Many of these people make very good officers because of the fact that they are prayer warriors and rely so strongly on God to help them. Yes, there are some who don't make it and it is right to not commission them if they are totally unsuitable for this mission but I would suggest that they are in the minority. I speak as one who has travelled the path of officership and had to leave for health reasons (not because of discontent or because I was unsuitable). When I left I shed many tears because I had felt the call so strongly, however, my training never went astray because although I was never able to go back to officership I have been able to be a much better soldier than I ever would have been and take on positions in the local scene that I would never have done without that training. God is the One who plans our life courses and we should never forget that. There are many who have never been officers and yet they are amongst our greatest prayer warriors. I trust that before you enter College that you will have a good look at your motives for going and make sure that they are God ordained. I don't know you and you don't know me but at least we can be one in spirit by serving the Lord enthusiastically wherever we are and at whatever stage of life we are at. May God help you to get your priorities right and may you be the person that He wants you be be. We all take much from the past and see it as very good but there is also much to be commended about present ideas. Let us come together with the various types of worship and not make that our priority but whatever is God's will.
I too struggled to accept the call to full time ministry but not because I felt that the role was viewed as a joke,our because I was worried about being self indulgent oir a social dropout; I saw the long hours my parents worked, I saw their total commitment to both God and The Salvation Army,I saw the need to have integrity beyond reproach, I saw an amazing strength in faith when times got tough. These were what concerned me, could I live a life that was worthy of the role God had asked me to do, was my faith strong enough to get through, could I be an example to the people God entrusted me to. The hard part for me was living up to the standards of the officers that had gone before me. The Salvation Army has a great reputation in society that has been built through the hard work of the officers that have gone before us.
I respect people who say what they are thinking, but I think it is importnat we also respect those who have served wonderfully before us. I pray God may use me as He has used others before me to grow His kingdom.
God Bless
Darren
Darren, I can appreciate what you are saying as I too am an officers child and saw that same dedication that you so beautifully speak about. I am of the era where I worked under the leadership of your parents and they were all that you say they were and more. They were both very humble servants of God. Your father is now with the Lord and your Mum is still very active in retirement. You have had wonderful role models in them but please don't forget that you have been called because you are also chosen by God for this ministry. Sometimes we do get caught up in comparing ourselves with others be it parent roles or others. God has called you for what He can do through you and He will bring many into the Kingdom because of your obedience to Him. May you continue to trust Him as you now step out into ministry. God bless you and your family abundantly.
I am not an officer, I am a soldier and I too, was saddened by what I read. I have never looked upon officers as a joke or as self indulgent - far from it. In fact, I have always tried to respect and support those in leadership. (1Thessalonians 5:12-13; Hebrews 13:17). Peter, you sound like you want a radical faith and you long to turn the world upside down. Good for you! Jesus was radical - still is. And yet he didn't quarrel, cry out or shout in the streets (Matthew 12:20). Sometimes, being radical means we will have to give up all our own expectations; to lay down all that is of most importance to us. When we do that, we find that rather than us turning the world upside down, God turns our life upside down. Then, and only then, is God able to use us in his kingdom. We must have a teachable spirit. Your comments seem to imply that you have your life all worked out. Don't settle for all that you can imagine, because God has bigger plans, better plans for each one of us, that are beyond all that we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). It doesn't matter whether we are officers, soldiers, adherents or whatever. If we belong to Jesus we are simply to be wholeheartedly available to him, and the only agenda that matters, is his. Go to college, be available and seek God's wisdom in all things. Be prepared to live radically for Jesus even when things aren't going the way you want them to, that's the best time to learn how radical we are willing to be for Jesus! As the Commissioner said in his blog: "Lord, help us each to act justly and to love mercy whilst walking humbly with You." The Commissioner reminds us of early day Salvationists who gave of themselves out of their love for Christ.You are only at the beginning of a journey which has been travelled by many faithful Salvationists before you, and only because of their faithfulness and God's grace are you able to be travelling this path too. Christ-like love flows out of a humble and gentle heart. Stop criticizing - that's not radical, but loving one another as Christ loves us - now that IS radical! May God bless you and fill you with wisdom as you walk with him.
Peter and Diane
I find it interesting to read your comments about officership. I am concerned that you want to become officers when it is regarded as a 'joke' and 'self indulgent'. Perhaps you may need to ask why you want to spend the rest of your lives on something like that. Personally, as a new officer I have found that an officer is given much respect within the salvation army and within the local community - and this is very humbling. I am constantly amazed by what God is doing in the world and my community. Officership is not about what I can do for God but what God can do. I pray that you will go to college with an open mind - God can and will change you. Remember, God wants a broken spirit and a contrite heart (Psalm 51).
As, the youngest Cadet in a number of years, I have to say that I do not view officership this way. Officership is not an attractional thing, it was never meant to be. To be called to be an Officer is a holy calling, by God almighty. Regardless of what Officers are on staff, or what the sessional names are. It's about God's calling. We celebrate the call to Officership, and I look forward to sharing in part of your journey with you and having you share in mine. People view Officership in many different ways, due to many different experiences. It's my heartfelt prayer, that Officership would be seen as people who are earnestly after God's own heart and seeking to fulfill His call upon their lives. God bless you as you continue to prepare to enter 303!
Officership is far from being a joke and self indulgent. It is not an easy road to take. I pray God's blessing as you explore your calling and are obedient to him, regardless of who the training principal is. We don't always get what we want in life, and it doesn't always go our way, so just rely on God.
Do I need to point out that some very harsh things have been said about someone who has tried to be open and honest? People don't get accepted as candidates for no reason, there is a lengthy process involved so no one already accepted as candidates could have applied for the sake of a new TP! Please remember that college is supposed to be a process of PREPARATION for officership... otherwise why train at all?
Can I remind you that many of you are being critical of being critical.... what does that say? (sorry I have to be the one to be critical of being critical of being critical)... lets have a little more understanding... I value the gifts and commitment of officers, but realise that a lot of people have been hurt by officers too... lets not have a one-eyed view - lets understand the varying issues and work TOGETHER to encourage and empower one another to a better expression of our Salvation... and create an Army based on justice, where opinions are valued.
(My pet peeve is 'Anonymous' comments)
People are allowed to voice their opinions as long as they are able to deal with the consequences.
I am sorry that the above persons pet peeve is "Anonymous". If this worries the person so much then may I remind you that many of the wonderful words of the Songs in our Army songbook were written by "Anonymous" and I personally would be upset to see them removed because there is not a particular name attached to them. Does a name really matter so much - my concern would be if my name was not written in the Lambs Book of Life. I am also concerned, and after some time in prayer, that this site has strayed so far away from what our Commissioner wrote about in the first place. He was speaking about a world where justice is needed and that we as Salvationists should be doing our part to heal the hurts of those who are treated unjustly. Have the previous comments forgotten what was meant to be a real challenge to those of us who claim to be Christians and therefore need to be out there to help in a world that needs Christ. As one song says "There are people hurting in the world out there, they need you, they need me, they need Christ." It comes back, surely, to the Scripture the Commissioner used about "acting JUSTLY, to LOVE MERCY, and WALK HUMBLY with YOUR GOD." It is not about tearing each other down but building each other up in love. Yes, there have been officers who have hurt people, but there have also been soldiers who have hurt officers. There needs to be a time of healing in those processes for justice to be done and this happens through genuine forgiveness toward each other. God gives us the courage to forgive and to also go to our brother or sister in love and show forgiveness for any hurts that may have occurred. We need to be in the ministry of reconciliation which brings about justice together. May God help us each in our own role to speak out for those who cannot have a voice of their own. May He help us to recognise what our responsibilities are and act upon them. Let's all be in this together. God Bless our Army.
hmm giving up as caree as a musician earning $55,000 a year some 15 years ago now doesn't seen to selfish or self induldent. to become an officer. My greatest joy has been in serving young people and seeing reach their fullest. I am more than humbled that God would choose to use someone like me to fulfil his plan for people.
p.S. i still have sevral close friends whom i used to work with in basnd and orchestras. I don't think I am too socially orquard yet.
gotgumonmyshoe (Captain)
Do they run an intensive at college these days on 'How to pull your head in'?
Peter,
Tough decisions had to be made by my wife and I when choosing to be obedient to God or not. It was certainly not the 'soft' option'.
I can only hope that you realise sooner rather than later that officership is about God, not yourself!
"Both my wife and I have been longing to be trained as officers in the Salvation Army. However we have been waiting and waiting for the right time to apply and also choosing which college to attend."
GOD CALLS HIS OFFICER'S WHEN AND WHERE HE NEEDS THEM WE DONT CHOOSE
The timing and the situation to meet our own needs....
....certainly not a drop out and most definatately not self-indulgent.
all of us, no matter how we serve the King, our Lord, Savior and now friend must give enough of ourselves to his service so as not to react so strongly to criticism. I've heard, and maybe even, at some misguided points in my life said the things about officership that Peter has referred to. My parents also, were completely and utterly dedicated to service in the SA for the Lord. And my life was absolutely blessed because of their dedication and service. Our life was nothing but Salvation Army. I ran from the calling of officership because I was a flagrant sinner, pure and simple. But more importantly in this time and age we all need to become less sensitive to criticism and stay focused on the issues of the Kingdom. This post was about social injustice. Let's stay focused brothers and sisters. we are all in this love together.
While it is certainly important to be honest it may not be appropriate to share every thought in an open forum. I am sure the TC could spin some amazing posts on this blog and really "dish dirt" IF he chose to. His posts, however, are reliably encouraging and positive, picking out and highlighting the best in people and places with the goal of furthering the Kingdom. Do not forget that we are at war and the enemy will use any infighting to his gain. It is easy to find flaws in others (sadly we are all human) yet it is the struggle with fears that lets us discover we can be brave in Christ, the struggle with self that allows us become humble before God and so on.
As to 'anonymous' I am now pondering if putting a name to this post will give my words more truth or more weight. Would you really know who I was? I could put any name or title on my post but I would hope those reading anything online would critically consider the thoughts in it against what they know of the Gospel in order to judge how deeply they accept a comment. So it should be with anything you hear, be it from self, friend, foe, officer, leader, media or blog.
As to those who irritate, it is not always a bad thing to become discomforted. I find that if something irritates me, and I examine why, it leads me to a new understanding. On the seabed there are many millions of grains of sand, yet it is only those who endure what must surely be the unpleasantness of irritating the oyster who become pearls.
May God bless us all as we seek to serve with all we have where ever He places us.
G. F.
(no rank, no title, no training, just a sinner ransomed by Christ, striving to serve the Lord)
Dear TC,
It seems your blog has been taken over by those wanting to snipe at each other on the subject of officership. Do you think the enemy wanted to prevent important discussion on Social Justice? There is only one comment on topic. PRAY!
Jesus and nobody else is perfect!
This bickering has revealed so much hurt. Has this been festering under the Salvation Army's skin for a long time? If so, we ALL need to get down on our knees and ask the Lord to fix this. Don't forget God raised up this Army, who dares to tear it down, or to be part of the process?
Does God command us to love only our enemies, or should we love each other as well? PRAY!
It must be scary being called to offership, and I can sympathise with Peter and Dianne. I can also understand how some general statements, taken personally, have hurt some officers. PRAY!
We need this fixed, LORD, we surrender this to YOU, we stand in a circle with YOU in the centre, we all bow towards you, and in so doing, touch each other as well. Forgive us LORD, cleanse and heal us. Send the fire from the centre of the circle, from YOU, and burn every one of us with YOUR power to love. Keep our eyes on YOU LORD. Protect us by the power of YOUR blood and in YOUR name. Amen.
I am extremely sorry for the comments I made I did no wish for it to cause such offense.
I was simply stating my past views and hurdles I needed to overcome to get to the point to where I am now of following God's call to bcome an officer.
I realise I shouldn't have put these comments on this blog and I am extremely sorry to any officers or anyone I have offended.
I realise there are many officers who work their guts out for God and stick to their calling through thick and thin.
I was simply stating that in my early experience this was an image I and many of my peers had towards cadets, obviously now a misconception.
I just wanted to stress that I am truly sorry for my comments and I trust you will forgive my impetuous words.
This is an excellent lesson to learn before entering college. Again I am so sorry.
Thanks for the apology. It takes a REALLY BIG PERSON to do this. May God bless you as you prepare for your future as an Officer and in the future as you serve Him in that capacity.
Pete,
Mate thanks for the apology, though I did not take offence to your comments. I agree with the previous blog that this has been a good lesson on your journey to Kingdom come.
Thanks mate,
Brett.
Thanks Peter,
I certainly did not take offence at what you wrote.... if everyone was honest there are varying thoughts on officership (as with any career) that are both positive and negative and if there have been incidences in your life that have involved many negative events then this certainly would impact and challenge you when confronting Gods calling for you.
You were honest and stated a "peer" view which influenced you, which I agree to some extent does still exist and that is reflected in how many people are entering the training college and its not just because it is a hard life... it is also because to some extent officership does have a bad image and it is bad when even some officers discourage people from joining. It is not a new thing to say that some officers do have a bad reputation that has negatively impacted many peoples lives but that comes with the territory in any walk of life. So as leaders we should not be so quick on the defense but instead be intraspective, ensuring that we are not the ones impacting TSA in a negative way but positively.
I think the main message in what you wrote was lost by most, and that it was not to "dish dirt" even though many took offence- but instead to voice your excitement and anticipation about the appointment changes and the positive direction the southern territory appears to be walking. Also at your excitement for the direction your life is heading which seems to have been a long time coming, with much deliberation but obviously with certain confirmation. Thankyou for your honesty- Gods blessing on you and your family as you acknowldge the calling on your life, may He bless your ministry abundantly. May you not lose your passion to see the Army on Fire.
Post a Comment